Hapeville, Georgia

History

During the 1950s and 1960s, Hapeville was a thriving part of the Tri-City (Hapeville, East Point, College Park) area and its post-World War II population supported three elementary schools (Josephine Wells, North Avenue, and College Street) and one high school. During the 40 years following, it became regarded as a somewhat depressed industrial area. Since 2005, Hapeville has seen significant gentrification, beginning with the Virginia Park neighborhood and then spreading throughout the city. Hapeville has been discovered by young professionals seeking historic neighborhoods close to downtown Atlanta, and there has been a great deal of new residential construction, including single-family homes, townhomes, and upscale apartments. This new residential development has led to a revived historic downtown. Hapeville has also been discovered by metro Atlanta's arts community, and the beginnings of an artist colony have taken shape with the formation of the Hapeville Arts Alliance. The Hapeville Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Since 1947, Hapeville was home to the Ford Atlanta Assembly Plant, recently making the Taurus. It closed in 2006. There are development plans to open a multi-use development, Aerotropolis Atlanta, on the site, which is immediately adjacent to Atlanta Airport. Currently, Porsche North America is building its North America Headquarters on the Ford site.

Hapeville is also home to the Dwarf House - the first Chick-fil-A restaurant.

Geography

Hapeville is located at 33°39′45″N 84°24′37″W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), all land.

Demographics

As of 2010 Hapeville had a population of 6,373. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 42.8% white, 28.8% black or African American, 1.1% Asian Indian, 4.6% other Asian, 0.6% Native American, 18.8% from some other race (0.2% non-Hispanic from some other race) and 3.3% from two or more races. 35.1% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

At the 2000 census there were 2,375 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.3% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the city, the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 108.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,158, and the median income for a family was $37,647. Males had a median income of $25,127 versus $23,766 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,793. About 13.7% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.1% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Korean Air Cargo's U.S. headquarters are in Hapeville, near the northeast corner of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Education

Hapeville is a part of Fulton County Schools. Residents are zoned to Hapeville Elementary School, Paul D. West Middle School in East Point, and Tri-Cities High School in East Point. In addition, Hapeville Charter Middle School is located in Hapeville.

Private schools include St. John the Evangelist Catholic School.

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System operates the Hapeville Branch.

Notable people