Cartersville is a city in Bartow County, Georgia, United States; it is located within the northwest edge of the Atlanta metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 23,187. Cartersville is the county seat of Bartow County.[6]

Cartersville, Georgia
Cartersville City Hall
Cartersville City Hall
Location in Bartow County, Georgia
Location in Bartow County, Georgia
Cartersville is located in Metro Atlanta
Cartersville
Cartersville
Location of Cartersville in Metro Atlanta
Coordinates: 34°11′N 84°48′W / 34.183°N 84.800°W / 34.183; -84.800
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyBartow
Incorporated1850
Named forFarish Carter[1][2]
Government
 • MayorMatt Santini
Area
 • Total28.74 sq mi (74.44 km2)
 • Land28.62 sq mi (74.12 km2)
 • Water0.12 sq mi (0.32 km2)
Elevation
787 ft (240 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total23,187
 • Density810.20/sq mi (312.82/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern Daylight Time)
ZIP Codes
30120, 30121
Area code(s)770/678/470
FIPS code13-13688[4]
GNIS feature ID0355017[5]
Websitewww.cityofcartersville.org

History edit

Cartersville, originally known as Birmingham, was founded by English-Americans in 1832.[7] The town was incorporated as Cartersville in 1854.[7] The present name is for Col. Farish Carter of Milledgeville, the owner of a large plantation.[8][9] Cartersville was the long-time home of Amos Akerman, U.S. Attorney General under President Ulysses S. Grant; in that office he spearheaded the federal prosecution of members of the Ku Klux Klan and was one of the most important public servants of the Reconstruction era.[10]

Cartersville was designated the seat of Bartow County in 1867 following the destruction of Cassville by Sherman's March to the Sea in American Civil War. Cartersville was incorporated as a city in 1872.[11]

On February 26, 1916, a group of 100 men and boys took Jesse McCorkle from the jail and hanged him from a tree in front of the city hall and riddled his body with bullets.[12]

Geography edit

Cartersville is located in south-central Bartow County, 42 miles (68 km) northwest of downtown Atlanta and 76 miles (122 km) southeast of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The Etowah River flows through a broad valley south of the downtown, leading west to Rome, where it forms the Coosa River, a tributary of the Alabama River. The city limits extend eastward, upriver, as far as Allatoona Dam, which forms Lake Allatoona, a large U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir. Red Top Mountain State Park sits on a peninsula in the lake, just outside the city limits. Nancy Creek also flows in the vicinity. The highest point in the city is 1,562 feet (476 m) at the summit of Pine Mountain.[13]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Cartersville has a total area of 29.3 square miles (75.9 km2), of which 29.2 square miles (75.5 km2) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.4 km2), or 0.59%, is water.[14]

Transportation edit

Interstate 75, the major north-south route through the area, passes through the eastern edge of the city, with access from five exits: Exit 285 just south of the city limits in Emerson, Exit 288 (East Main Street) closest to downtown, and exits 290, 293, and 296 along the city's northern outskirts. U.S. Highway 41, which is concurrent with State Route 3, is an older, parallel highway to Interstate 75 that goes through the eastern edge of downtown, leading north to Calhoun and Dalton and south to Marietta. U.S. Highway 411 passes through the northern edge of the city, leading west to Rome and north to Chatsworth. State Route 20 runs west to Rome concurrent with U.S. Highway 411 and runs east to Canton. State Route 61 runs north to White concurrent with U.S. Highway 411 and runs south to Dallas, Georgia. State Route 113 runs southwesterly to Rockmart. State Route 293 runs west-northwest to Kingston.

Cartersville Airport is a public use airport located in the west side of Cartersville on State Route 61. It is the home base of Phoenix Air.

Cartersville area communities edit

The following communities border the city:

Climate edit

Climate data for Cartersville, Georgia (Cartersville Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1891–2019
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 79
(26)
83
(28)
88
(31)
93
(34)
100
(38)
106
(41)
108
(42)
108
(42)
106
(41)
100
(38)
87
(31)
82
(28)
108
(42)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 68.2
(20.1)
73.0
(22.8)
80.9
(27.2)
85.7
(29.8)
89.1
(31.7)
93.9
(34.4)
96.2
(35.7)
95.5
(35.3)
92.0
(33.3)
84.7
(29.3)
77.1
(25.1)
69.0
(20.6)
97.5
(36.4)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 52.2
(11.2)
56.8
(13.8)
64.9
(18.3)
73.4
(23.0)
80.7
(27.1)
86.9
(30.5)
89.6
(32.0)
89.1
(31.7)
84.2
(29.0)
74.0
(23.3)
62.9
(17.2)
54.5
(12.5)
72.4
(22.5)
Daily mean °F (°C) 41.8
(5.4)
45.5
(7.5)
52.5
(11.4)
60.2
(15.7)
68.3
(20.2)
75.6
(24.2)
78.8
(26.0)
78.1
(25.6)
72.5
(22.5)
61.6
(16.4)
50.8
(10.4)
44.3
(6.8)
60.8
(16.0)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 31.4
(−0.3)
34.3
(1.3)
40.2
(4.6)
47.0
(8.3)
56.0
(13.3)
64.2
(17.9)
68.0
(20.0)
67.2
(19.6)
60.7
(15.9)
49.1
(9.5)
38.7
(3.7)
34.0
(1.1)
49.2
(9.6)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 12.7
(−10.7)
17.0
(−8.3)
23.8
(−4.6)
30.6
(−0.8)
41.1
(5.1)
52.5
(11.4)
60.1
(15.6)
59.5
(15.3)
46.0
(7.8)
32.7
(0.4)
25.6
(−3.6)
16.0
(−8.9)
9.3
(−12.6)
Record low °F (°C) −9
(−23)
−6
(−21)
8
(−13)
22
(−6)
31
(−1)
40
(4)
49
(9)
48
(9)
30
(−1)
23
(−5)
4
(−16)
−3
(−19)
−9
(−23)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.29
(109)
4.69
(119)
4.72
(120)
4.15
(105)
3.67
(93)
3.79
(96)
3.88
(99)
3.44
(87)
3.63
(92)
3.25
(83)
4.06
(103)
4.49
(114)
48.06
(1,220)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 0.4
(1.0)
0.1
(0.25)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.1
(0.25)
0.6
(1.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.8 11.9 11.2 10.3 11.3 12.4 14.2 10.7 9.4 9.2 9.1 10.8 131.3
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2
Source 1: NOAA (snow/snow days 1981–2010)[15][16]
Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 1981–2010)[17]

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18702,232
18802,037−8.7%
18903,17155.7%
19003,135−1.1%
19104,06729.7%
19204,3507.0%
19305,25020.7%
19406,14117.0%
19507,27018.4%
19608,66819.2%
197010,13817.0%
19809,247−8.8%
199012,03530.2%
200015,92532.3%
201019,73123.9%
202023,18717.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[18]

2020 census edit

Cartersville racial composition[19]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 14,608 63.0%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 4,144 17.87%
Native American 50 0.22%
Asian 346 1.49%
Pacific Islander 11 0.05%
Other/Mixed 977 4.21%
Hispanic or Latino 3,051 13.16%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 23,187 people, 7,835 households, and 5,285 families residing in the city.

2010 census edit

As of the census[4] of 2010, there were 19,010 people, 5,870 households, and 4,132 families residing in the city. The population of Cartersville is growing significantly. The population density was 680.7 inhabitants per square mile (262.8/km2). There were 6,130 housing units at an average density of 262.0 per square mile (101.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 63.93% White, 29.64% African American, 0.82% Asian, 0.28% Native American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.76% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 7.28% of the population.

There were 5,870 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,162, and the median income for a family was $48,219. Males had a median income of $35,092 versus $25,761 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,977. About 8.9% of families and 11.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those age 65 or over.

Points of interest edit

 
Booth Western Art Museum
  • The Booth Western Art Museum is on North Museum Drive in Cartersville.[20] The Booth is the second-largest art museum in Georgia,[citation needed] and houses the largest permanent exhibition space for Western art in the country. It is a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate.
  • The Etowah Indian Mounds is an archaeological Native American site in Bartow County, south of Cartersville.
  • Tellus Science Museum, formerly the Weinman Mineral Museum, is a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate and features the first digital planetarium in North Georgia. NASA has installed a camera that tracks meteors at the museum.[21]
  • The world's first outdoor Coca-Cola sign, painted in 1894, is located in downtown Cartersville on Young Brothers Pharmacy's wall.[22]
  • Rose Lawn, a house museum, is the former home of noted evangelist Samuel Porter Jones,[23] for whom the Union Gospel Tabernacle (Ryman Auditorium) in Nashville was built, later to become the Grand Ole Opry.
  • The Bartow History Museum is located in the Old Cartersville Courthouse, c. 1870, in downtown Cartersville on East Church Street.[24]
  • Savoy Automobile Museum is a museum displaying a diverse collection of automobiles and original works of art.[25]
  • The Pine Mountain Recreation Area trails ascend to a summit at 1562 feet overlooking Cartersville. Atlanta & Allatoona Lake can also be seen from the summit. The trails are maintained by City of Cartersville Parks & Recreation.

Education edit

The schools that comprise the Cartersville City School System are:

  • Cartersville Primary School
  • Cartersville Elementary School
  • Cartersville Middle School
  • Cartersville High School

There is also a private Montessori school:

  • Lifesong Montessori School

Cartersville also has a college campus:

Economy edit

Manufacturing, tourism, and services play a part in the economy of the city. The city's employers include:

The city is home to Piedmont Cartersville Medical Center and The Hope Center, making it a minor healthcare hub for the surrounding area.[citation needed]

Law enforcement edit

In 2017, the Cartersville Police Department arrested 65 people at a house party because of a suspicion that there was an ounce of marijuana at the party. In 2022, a federal court awarded 45 of the arrested individuals a $900,000 settlement due to a violation of their constitutional rights.[26]
On September 8, 2022, Deputy Police Chief Jason DiPrima resigned after being arrested in a prostitute police-sting operation.[27][28]

Notable people edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Profile for Cartersvile, Georgia, GA". ePodunk. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  2. ^ "City of Cartersville". State of Georgia. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  3. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ^ a b "Cartersville". Calhoun Times. September 1, 2004. p. 18. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  8. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 35. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  9. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 70.
  10. ^ Eric Foner (2014). "Reconstruction:America's Unfinished Revolution 1863 - 1877. Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0-06-235451-8.
  11. ^ Hellmann, Paul T. (May 13, 2013). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 223. ISBN 978-1135948597. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  12. ^ Cincinnati Enquirer, Feb. 26, 1916
  13. ^ Pine Mountain Recreation Area. City of Cartersville. 5 April 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  14. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Cartersville city, Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  15. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Cartersville AP, GA (1991–2020)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  16. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Cartersville, GA (1981–2010)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  17. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Atlanta". National Weather Service. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  18. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  19. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  20. ^ Lee Walburn (June 2005). Best Western — The Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville brings the old west to northwestern Georgia triggering celluloid-tinted memories of cowboys, standoffs, and frogs. Atlanta Magazine. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  21. ^ Marie Nesmith. "NASA installs 'fireball' camera at Tellus Science Museum". The Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  22. ^ Amy Gillis Lowry; Abbie Tucker Parks (May 1997). North Georgia's Dixie Highway. Arcadia Publishing. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-7385-4431-1.
  23. ^ William Pencak (October 2009). Encyclopedia of the Veteran in America, Volume 1. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 615. ISBN 978-0-313-34009-3.
  24. ^ Matt Shinall. "Bartow History Museum reflects on past as transition into new home begins". The Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  25. ^ "Savoy Auto Museum". Savoymuseum.org. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  26. ^ Stevens, Alexis. "Police to pay 'Cartersville 70′ members $900K to settle federal lawsuit". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  27. ^ "Georgia Deputy Police Chief Nabbed in Florida for Solicitation". September 3, 2022.
  28. ^ "Busted: Deputy police chief shows up at Florida prostitution sting with White Claws, says Grady Judd". YouTube.
  29. ^ A book about the life of Bill Arp was written by another Cartersville resident: Parker, David B. (1991). Alias Bill Arp: Charles Henry Smith and the South's "Goodly Heritage". Athens: University of Georgia Press. ISBN 9780820313108.
  30. ^ Smith, Tony. "Overlook Scope". Lowndes County Historical Society Museum. Valdosta, Georgia. Retrieved June 5, 2022.

External links edit