Richmond Hill, Georgia

Richmond Hill is a city in Bryan County, Georgia, United States. The population was 9,281 at the 2010 census, up from 6,959 at the 2000 census.[5] It is part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Richmond Hill, Georgia
City
Location in Bryan County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 31°56′17″N 81°18′49″W
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyBryan
Settled1734
Incorporated1962
Government
 • TypeCity Council
 • MayorRuss Carpenter
 • CouncilwomanKristi Cox
 • CouncilwomanTara Baraniak
 • CouncilmanBill Donahue
 • CouncilmanLes Fussell
Area
 • Total24.37 sq mi (63.12 km2)
 • Land23.55 sq mi (60.98 km2)
 • Water0.82 sq mi (2.13 km2)
Elevation
20 ft (6 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total9,281
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
13,839
 • Density587.74/sq mi (226.93/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
31324
Area code(s)912
FIPS code13-65044[3]
GNIS feature ID0342353[4]
Websitewww.richmondhill-ga.gov

Geography

Richmond Hill is located along the eastern border of Bryan County at 31°56′17″N 81°18′49″W (31.938151, -81.313750).[6] The Ogeechee River forms the eastern edge of the city (and the county line); an outlying portion of the city of Savannah is on the opposite side of the river.

U.S. Route 17 (Ocean Highway) passes through the city north of the original downtown. Interstate 95 passes through the western edge of the city, with access from Exit 87 (US 17) and Exit 90 (Georgia State Route 144/Ford Avenue). Downtown Savannah is 21 miles (34 km) to the north, and Brunswick is 58 miles (93 km) to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Richmond Hill has a total area of 14.6 square miles (37.9 km2), of which 14.4 square miles (37.4 km2) is land and 0.19 square miles (0.5 km2), or 1.42%, is water.[5]

History

Richmond Hill has a historical connection to industrialist Henry Ford.[7] Ford used the town, formerly known as Ways Station, as a winter home and philanthropic social experiment, building the complex known as the Ford Farms along the Ogeechee River in the 1930s. After just one visit he chose this area as his winter home. Ford's dwelling was built on the site of Richmond Plantation, which was burned by elements of General William T. Sherman's army at the conclusion of the "March to the Sea". Ford's holdings eventually totaled 85,000 acres (340 km2) of agricultural and timber lands, most of which is now owned by the State of Georgia or ITT Rayonier, a timber company. Ford was also responsible for the construction of a number of public buildings, including a kindergarten, which now houses the museum of the Richmond Hill Historical Society, and a chapel which now houses St. Anne's Catholic Church. Both are located on Georgia S.R. 144, also known as Ford Avenue within the Richmond Hill city limits. The Ford Plantation has now been redeveloped as a luxury resort, with vacation cottages, a clubhouse, tennis, and golf. When it was suggested that the town be renamed "Ford", he declined, and instead Ways Station was renamed "Richmond Hill" after the site of Ford's home on the banks of the Ogeechee River.

Richmond Hill was incorporated as a city in 1962.[8] The current mayor is Russ Carpenter. The previous mayor, Richard Davis served in that capacity since 1989. The city is governed by a mayor and a four-member city council.

Richmond Hill was the location of the discovery in 2004 of Benjaman Kyle, a man who suffers from retrograde amnesia as a result of a severe beating. In 2015, he was identified as William Burgess Powell.

Development

Real estate development in Richmond Hill has generally followed trends represented in the United States as a whole. Post-Civil War populations remained relatively stable until the arrival of industrialist Henry Ford in the 1930s. In the early 1970s, subdivisions began to spring up, and began a settlement trend that has continued steadily until the present. Subdivisions of varying quality, ranging from starter homes to exclusive, gated golf communities, have emerged. Locals attribute population growth to the nearest base, Fort Stewart.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1970826—
19801,17742.5%
19902,934149.3%
20006,959137.2%
20109,28133.4%
Est. 201913,839[2]49.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 6,959 people, 2,433 households, and 1,883 families living in the city. The population density was 686.5 people per square mile (265.0/km2). There were 2,573 housing units at an average density of 253.8 per square mile (98.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 81.28% White, 13.69% African American, 0.60% Native American, 1.42% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races, and 1.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.71% of the population.

There were 2,433 households, out of which 51.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.6% were non-families. 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 34.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 36.1% from 25 to 44, 14.2% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,061, and the median income for a family was $54,457. Males had a median income of $36,823 versus $25,810 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,891. About 9.8% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

Bryan County School District serves Richmond Hill. The city currently has six public schools, for students between the ages of 5-21 (21 in cases of challenged high-school students). They are Richmond Hill Primary School (RHPS), Richmond Hill Elementary School (RHES), George Washington Carver Upper Elementary School (GWCUES), McAllister Elementary School (MES), Richmond Hill Middle School (RHMS), and Richmond Hill High School (RHHS). Of the two high schools, Richmond Hill High has the highest scores in Bryan County. [10] The city is currently expanding its schools due to a large spike in population throughout the last ten years. Two new elementary and middle schools have just been built. Richmond Hill is expected to grow exponentially in the next few years. [11]

Community

Events

Richmond Hill hosts a number of community events at J.F. Gregory Park. Throughout the year the community comes together for supporting special events and causes, such as:

  • Annual Easter Extravaganza
  • Annual Memorial Day Observance
  • Annual First Day of Summer Prayer Breakfast
  • National Night Out
  • Old Time Family Fourth of July Festival & Fireworks
  • Annual Pumpkin Patch
  • Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival, with c. 35,000 attendees[12]
  • Annual Veterans Day Observance
  • Annual Chili Cook-off

Religion

While a small majority of citizens in Richmond Hill have no religion, Christianity is the second largest. Christianity denominations include Protestant and Catholic.[13] Richmond Hill is home to over 20 churches of various denominations.

Many church organizations participate cooperatively in outreach programs that benefit the community as a whole. The "Food for the Soul" soup kitchen, manned by ten separate churches that rotate on a weekly basis, delivers hot meals to families in need within Richmond Hill. The Way Station, another multiple church outreach program, has been in operation for over twenty years providing food, clothing, and other items that enhance the lives of families in the community.

Community service groups
  • Richmond Hill Rotary Club
  • Richmond Hill Exchange Club
  • Richmond Hill Lions Club
  • Richmond Hill Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7331
  • Richmond Hill Garden Club - Senior's Center
  • Richmond Hill Sons of Confederate Veterans
  • Bryan Lodge #303 F&AM

Economy

Small businesses with fewer than 20 employees provide 93% of the employment.[14]

Major employers:

Shopping areas

Healthcare

In 2011, Winn Army Community Hospital opened to serve the large military population in the area. It serves military retirees and their families only. For the general public, the nearest emergency room is located in Savannah at St. Joseph's Hospital, about 15 miles (24 km) away.[16]

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References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Richmond Hill city, Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 188. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  8. Hellmann, Paul T. (May 13, 2013). "Historical Gazetteer of the United States". Routledge. p. 243. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. "Richmond Hill, GA". www.richmondhillga.com.
  12. "Top Trade Shows - Supplier Directory, Exhibitor Tool". Events in America. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  13. "Richmond Hill, Georgia (GA 31324) profile: population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news, sex offenders". www.city-data.com.
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