Fitzgerald is a city in Ben Hill County, Georgia, United States. The population was 8,758 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Ben Hill County.

1936 Olympic Champion Forrest Towns was born in Fitzgerald.

It is unique in that it is a planned city, created in 1895 as a community for Civil War veterans.

Fitzgerald is also home to the famous Dorminy-Massee Bed and Breakfast. Built in 1915 by J. J. (Captain Jack) Dorminy for his family, this two-story, colonial-style house is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bed and breakfast features eight bedrooms, each with a private bath, an elegant living room and parlor, and spacious grounds. Recognized as the town's most prominent residence, the Dorminy-Massee House is within walking distance of Fitzgerald's historic downtown area as well as The Blue and Gray Museum.

Geography

right
Fitzgerald is located at (31.715432, -83.256464).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.9 km² (7.3 mi²). 18.8 km² (7.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.55%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,758 people, 3,448 households, and 2,210 families residing in the city. The population density was 466.4/km² (1,208.8/mi²). There were 3,968 housing units at an average density of 211.3/km² (547.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 47.27% White, 49.27% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 2.28% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.43% of the population.

There were 3,448 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.3% were married couples living together, 23.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,805, and the median income for a family was $26,577. Males had a median income of $26,674 versus $17,211 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,775. About 26.7% of families and 31.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.8% of those under age 18 and 22.1% of those age 65 or over.

External links

*Page describing original design of Fitzgerald, GA

Category:1895 establishments
Category:Ben Hill County, Georgia
Category:Cities in Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Micropolitan areas of Georgia
Category:Planned cities