Country United States County DeKalb FIPS code 13-73816 Elevation 318 m Local time Tuesday 9:20 AM Population 5,976 (2013) | State Georgia Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) GNIS feature ID 0326087 Area 4.2 km² Area code 770 University Pro Way Hair School | |
Weather 18°C, Wind SW at 11 km/h, 90% Humidity | ||
Stone Mountain is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, in the United States. The population was 5,802 at the 2010 census. Stone Mountain is located in the eastern part of Dekalb County and is a suburb of the Atlanta metropolitan area. It lies near to but does not include the geological formation Stone Mountain.
Contents
- Map of Stone Mountain GA USA
- History
- Government
- Post Civil War history
- Geography
- Demographics
- Economy
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Notable people
- References
Map of Stone Mountain, GA, USA
History
In 1822, the area that now makes up the city of Stone Mountain was made a part of the newly formed DeKalb County. A post office was created in 1834 on the old Augusta Road, and Andrew Johnson built a hotel along the road in 1836. At around the same time, Aaron Cloud built an observation tower at the summit of the mountain. Visitors to the mountain would travel to the area by rail and road, and then hike up the 1.1-mile (1.8 km) mountaintop trail to the top, where Cloud also had a restaurant and club.
By 1839, a general store was added, and a village was established under the name New Gibraltar. The name was officially changed to Stone Mountain by the Georgia legislature in 1847. The town is named for nearby Stone Mountain. During the Civil War, Stone Mountain village was destroyed by men under the command of General James B. McPherson on July 19, 1864.
Government
The Stone Mountain area's government of police and services is separated into two distinct municipalities. One area is the Downtown or Historic Section. The other area is the greater Stone Mountain area which resides in both DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. The Downtown or Historic section is governed by a local police department, city hall, and mayor. Residents within the city limits of Stone Mountain receive services from the City of Stone Mountain Police Department while the greater Stone Mountain areas receive services from the larger DeKalb County Police department and Gwinnett County Police department; respectively. "There are often misconceptions about crime in the incorporated City and unincorporated areas that are adjacent to the city limits."
The City of Stone Mountain allows the use of golf carts for transportation. The area within the city limits is one of the a few areas in Metro Atlanta that allows the use for residents: Motorized Cart Permits (Golf Cart) are issued through the Police Department. Rules for golf carts and inspection requirements are located in Chapter 13, Section 13-136 through 13-144 of the Stone Mountain City Ordinances.
Post-Civil War history
The Ku Klux Klan was revived at Stone Mountain in 1915, and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech consequently includes the line "let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia."
Geography
Stone Mountain is located at 33°48′19″N 84°10′17″W (33.805255, -84.171413).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2), of which 0.62% is water.
While the city of Stone Mountain itself is in DeKalb County, some of the town's mailing addresses are in Gwinnett County.
The Downtown or Historic section of Stone Mountain is home to Side By Side. A non profit organization, Side By Side "is Georgia's only nonprofit organization committed to providing lifelong support to people with traumatic brain injury"; with many clients coming from Shepherd's Center of Atlanta.
Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,802 people, 2,587 households, and 1,386 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,500 people per square mile (1,400/km²). There were 2,587 housing units at an average density of 1,577 per square mile (616/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.2% African American, 16.8% White, 0.4% Native American, 3.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.5% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.3% of the population.
There were 2,587 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.2% were married couples living together, 27.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.33.
In the city, the population was spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.8 years. For every 100 females there were 66.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males age 18 and over.
In the 2000 census (financial information was not asked on the 2010 census) the median income for a household in the city was $38,603, and the median income for a family was $40,888. Males had a median income of $28,302 versus $28,854 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,130. About 9.3% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
The mountain has contributed to the city's economy both through its continuing status as a tourist attraction and its former use as a granite quarry.
Arts and culture
Stone Mountain is the site of a famous giant carving commemorating the military leaders of the Confederacy, as well as a state park and museum, including a tourist railroad. The City of Stone Mountain is also home to the ART Station Contemporary Arts Center and Theatre Company as well as the Stone Mountain Arts Incubator Program. The famous or infamous offer of a Tour of Southern Ghosts can be found in the Downtown Stone Mountain area.
The 1996 Summer Olympic Games' tennis, archery, and track cycling events were held in Stone Mountain Park.
Wade-Walker Park is located at the intersection of Rockbridge Road and Stone Mountain Lithonia Road.
The downtown Stone Mountain area has burgeoning LGBT diversity.
Education
The schools serving the City of Stone Mountain and nearby areas in DeKalb County are operated by the DeKalb County Public Schools. Nearby areas in Gwinnett County are served by the Gwinnett County Public Schools. The area within the city limits of Stone Mountain does not have a separate school district.
The Administrative and Instructional Complex of the DeKalb County School District is located in an unincorporated area near Stone Mountain. The DeKalb County Public Schools East DeKalb Campus, a district facility, is also located in an unincorporated area near Stone Mountain.
Georgia Military College (GMC) is divided into the junior college, a military junior college program, high school, and middle school in Milledgeville, Georgia. In addition to the main campus in Milledgeville, GMC Junior College has other campus locations and extension offices. The Downtown or Historic Stone Mountain area is home to one of the campus locations.
DeKalb County Public Library operates the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library.