Peachtree City, Georgia

Geography

Peachtree City is located in western Fayette County in the southern Atlanta metro area. It is bordered to the west by Coweta County and to the north by the city of Tyrone. It is crossed by Georgia State Route 74, Georgia State Route 34, and Georgia State Route 54. SR 54 leads east 10 miles (16 km) to Fayetteville, the county seat, and southwest 17 miles (27 km) to Luthersville. Newnan is 12 miles (19 km) to the west via SR 54 and SR 34. SR 74, the Joel Cowan Parkway, runs through the west side of Peachtree City, leading north 6 miles (10 km) to Tyrone and 11 miles (18 km) to Interstate 85 near Fairburn. Downtown Atlanta is 31 miles (50 km) to the north via SR 74 and I-85.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Peachtree City has a total area of 25.4 square miles (65.9 km²), of which 24.6 square miles (63.6 km²) is land and 0.93 square miles (2.4 km²), or 3.57%, is water. The city is in the watershed of Line Creek, which forms the western city boundary and county line, and is a south-flowing tributary of the Flint River.

Peachtree City has three lakes. Lake Kedron to the north is a reservoir that supplies Lake Peachtree to the south via Flat Creek. Lake Kedron is owned by the Fayette County Authority, and is managed so as to keep Lake Peachtree full whenever there is a lack of rain and still allow for recreational use of the lake during droughts. Lake Kedron is not afforded any recreational use except for fishing. Lake McIntosh, the newest lake, close to Planterra, has now reached full pool.

Shakerag Hill, with an elevation of 980 feet (300 m), is the highest point in the city and sits on the eastern border at the intersection of GA Hwy 54 and Robinson Road.

Peachtree City has a system of golf cart paths which spider across the town and provide a secondary means of access to almost any destination within city limits. These multi-use paths stretch for more than 90 miles (140 km) throughout the city. Many places of business have specially designated golf cart parking spaces. The Peachtree City Police Department has several golf carts used to patrol along these paths.

Over 9,000 households own a golf cart, and use them as an extra vehicle for local transportation. Children aged twelve or over may operate a cart on Peachtree City cart paths with a parent, grandparent or guardian in the front seat. Unaccompanied fifteen-year-olds with valid Georgia learner's permits are allowed to operate golf carts alone. Students at McIntosh High School are encouraged to drive family golf carts to school because of limited car parking. In 2015, Starr's Mill High School opened a golf-cart specific lot. The golf cart paths are used also by bikers, joggers, and pedestrians as a safer alternative to the side of the road. In February 2003, Golf Digest magazine discussed the traffic congestion caused by use of golf carts in the city.

Airports

Atlanta Regional Airport, also known as Falcon Field, is a general aviation airport that provides chartered air service. Since 1987, it has grown from having about 60 aircraft based at the airport to about 165. The runway is 5,220 feet (1,590 m) long and holds up to 60,000 pounds (27,000 kg) of aircraft. It mainly serves Peachtree City's business residents, but also serves as a place of entertainment for people interested. There is a viewing area provided for the public to watch aircraft take-off and land. The airport hosts many events throughout the year, including the Great Georgia Air Show. The airport is the location of a National Weather Service radar station, Southeast River Forecast Center, and Weather Forecast Office, which serves 96 counties in northern and central Georgia.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport provides commercial service and is located 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Peachtree City via Georgia State Route 74 and Interstate 85.

Peachtree City was designated a foreign-trade zones by the U.S. Customs Service. In the U.S., a foreign-trade zones is a site in or near a U.S. Customs port of entry (in this case Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport), designated free of customs entry procedures.

History

Timeline:

Rankings

In July 2005, CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Peachtree City eighth on its list of the "100 Best Places to Live in the United States". In July 2007, in the same award, the city was ranked 64th. In July 2009, Peachtree City was ranked eighth on the list. In August 2011, Peachtree City ranked 91st on the list.

In 2011, the city was ranked in the top 25 cities to relocate to by Relocate America.

Peachtree City was ranked number one for "Best Places to Raise Kids" in the state of Georgia, according to Bloomberg Business Week (December 2012).

Economy

Cooper Lighting, a division of Cooper Industries, along with Gardner-Denver, a sister company, are headquartered in Peachtree City. Hoshizaki, one of the world's largest manufacturers of icemakers, has its American headquarters in Peachtree City.

Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America (PASA) has its main operations based in Peachtree City and is the largest employer in the city. It is a major supplier of automotive audio, video and navigation systems for Honda (including its Acura luxury division), Nissan, General Motors, Toyota and Subaru.

Other large employers in Peachtree City's industrial park include:

In addition to working within the city, many Peachtree Citians commute to Atlanta. Airlines, such as Delta, United, and Southwest, are major employers.

Peachtree City is the city of license for WRDG (96.7 FM), an alternative rock radio station.

Government

As of January 2014, the mayor of Peachtree City is Vanessa Fleisch. Council members include Kim Learnard, Eric Imker, Terry Ernst, and Mike King.

Vanessa Fleisch is the first female mayor in the city's history.

Demography

As of the 2000 census, there were 31,580 people, 10,876 households, and 8,874 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,321.3 inhabitants per square mile (510.2/km²). There were 11,313 housing units at an average density of 486.1 per square mile (187.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.66% White, 4.11% African American, 0.16% Native American, 3.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.75% of the population.

There were 10,876 households out of which 47.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.8% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.4% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the city, the population was spread out with 31.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $84,339, and the median income for a family was $96,880.

Primary and secondary schools

Peachtree City is served by the Fayette County School System.

Elementary schools that serve the city include:

Middle schools that serve the city include:

High schools that serve the city include:

Private and non-traditional schools include:

Colleges and universities

Universities that serve the city include:

The Phi Mu sorority is headquartered in Peachtree City.

Film and television

Lifetime's Drop Dead Diva was filmed in Peachtree City and surrounding areas of Fayette and Coweta County. With Raleigh Studios in nearby Senoia, Peachtree City has often been the backdrop for episodes of other series, such as The Walking Dead. Scenes from the film Joyful Noise were shot there as well.

Recreation

Peachtree City has several golf and country clubs.

Flat Creek Country Club offers 27 holes of golf. Designed by Joe Lee and opened in 1968, the course features three diverse nines, a variety of elevation changes, and views of the Flat Creek, which meanders throughout the course. Flat Creek also has a pool and tennis facility. The clubhouse offers both indoor and outdoor dining options including three separate dining rooms that can be combined, and a bar area with flat-screen TVs.

Braelinn Golf Club is a collaboration by architects Joe Lee and Rocky Roquemore, and opened in 1988. The 18-hole layout includes a mix of holes with tree-lined fairways, challenging water features and numerous bunkers. Members also enjoy swimming, tennis and dining facilities on site. The elegant clubhouse includes a pro shop, locker rooms and a grill-style restaurant overlooking the driving range.

Planterra Ridge Golf Club is a popular Jeff Burton and Rocky Roquemore design that was opened in 1994. Players of all ages and expertise enjoy 18 holes of greens and tree-lined fairways. Tennis, swimming and a variety of events enhance life at the club. The clubhouse sits above the course, with views of the finishing holes and practice green, a pro shop, locker rooms and a dining venue that offers both walk-up and sit-down service.

All three are owned by Clubcorp, which owns or operates an exclusive private club portfolio of more than 200 golf and country clubs, business clubs, sports clubs and alumni clubs in 26 states, the District of Columbia and two foreign countries. These clubs were formerly owned by Sequoia Golf, before Clubcorp purchased Sequoia in 2014.

Soccer

On January 8, 2016, the Premier Development League awarded a soccer franchise to Peachtree City. The Peachtree City MOBA football club's inaugural season was the 2016 season. The team is owned by Volker Harms, the owner of the state-of-the-art MOBA soccer academy in Peachtree City.

The club will play at Harms' facility, on the FIFA regulation-sized field that seat up to 1,000 fans. The manager of the team is Jordan Davis, who played high school soccer at Starr's Mill High School in Fayetteville.