Wikipedia / Baxley, Georgia
Wikipedia / Baxley, Georgia
Baxley is a city in Appling County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 4,942. The city is the county seat of Appling County.
History
Baxley was first settled as a result of the Macon and Brunswick Railroad being built through Appling County in 1870. Originally, it was a railroad depot known as Station Number 7, but soon was named Baxley (after one of the community's first settlers, Wilson Baxley of North Carolina). Baxley incorporated in 1875.
Geography
Baxley is approximately east of Douglas, north of Waycross and southwest of Glennville.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which , or 0.16%, is water.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Baxley had a population of 4,942. There were 1,068 families residing in the city. The median age was 36.5 years. About 25.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.3% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.5 males age 18 and over.
About 88.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 11.6% lived in rural areas.
There were 1,895 households in Baxley, of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 36.2% were married-couple households, 20.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 38.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 2,284 housing units, of which 17.0% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.9%.
Economy
The Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Power Plant is located north of the city along U.S. Route 1, on the banks of the Altamaha River. It is the area's largest employer.
International Forest Products Limited operates a sawmill employing over 50 people.
Education
Appling County K-12 students are in the Appling County School District, which consists of four elementary schools (three include a preschool), a middle school and a high school. The district has 210 full-time teachers and over 3,303 students.
Altamaha Elementary School
Appling County Primary School
Appling County Elementary School
Fourth District Elementary School
Appling County Middle School
Notable people
Robert Butler, painter best known for his portrayals of the woods and backwaters around Florida's Everglades; member of the African-American artists' group The Highwaymen
Byron Buxton, Major League Baseball outfielder; second overall pick (drafted by the Minnesota Twins) in the 2012 MLB draft; 2022 and 2025 MLB All Star
Dexter Carter, running back for San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets from 1990 to 1996; born in Baxley and graduated from Appling County High School
Frankie King, NBA guard for Los Angeles Lakers (1995); born in Baxley
The Lacs, country/rap music group; from Baxley
Caroline Miller, Georgia's first Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist; received the award for Lamb in His Bosom in 1934
Jamie Nails, NFL guard for Buffalo Bills (1997–2000) and Miami Dolphins (2002–2003); born in Baxley
Janisse Ray, author of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood (1999), a memoir about growing up in Baxley which includes description of the ecosystem of the vanishing longleaf pine that once covered the area
Carl Simpson, defensive tackle for Chicago Bears (1993–1997), Arizona Cardinals (1998–1999), and Las Vegas Outlaws (2001)
Harry Skipper, defensive back in the CFL, Montreal Concordes and Saskatchewan Roughriders, 1983–1989
Vonzell Solomon, nicknamed Baby V, singer and actress
Michael Timpson, wide receiver for New England Patriots (1989–1994), Chicago Bears (1995–1996), and Philadelphia Eagles (1997); born in Baxley
References
External links