Folkston, Georgia

Folkston is a city in Charlton County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,178 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Charlton CountyTemplate:GR.

Geography

Location of Folkston, Georgia

Folkston is located at 30°50′4″N 82°0′17″W (30.834437, -82.004829)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.3 km² (3.6 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 2,178 people, 817 households, and 548 families residing in the city. The population density was 233.6/km² (605.7/mi²). There were 976 housing units at an average density of 104.7/km² (271.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 46.14% White, 51.52% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.87% of the population.

There were 817 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 21.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 82.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,840, and the median income for a family was $32,375. Males had a median income of $26,302 versus $19,816 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,653. About 26.1% of families and 28.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.8% of those under age 18 and 20.4% of those age 65 or over.

Folkston Funnel

With virtually all rail traffic headed to Florida passing through Folkston, the town has acquired the nickname, "The Folkston Funnel". As many as 60 trains a day pass through Folkston heading into and out of Florida, which some years draws ten times as many railfans as people who live in the city. To provide for a safe (and advantageous) viewing situation, the town has followed the example of another high-density rail town, Rochelle, Illinois, and has built a platform for visitors.

External links

• Folkston Junction Florida Times-Union article
• Rochelle Railroad Park official website
• Railfanning in Folkston Railfanning.org