Warner Robins, Georgia

Warner Robins (typically /ˈwɑːrnɜːr ˈrɑːbənz/) is a city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located in Houston and Peach counties in the central part of the state. It is currently Georgia's tenth-largest incorporated city, with an estimated population of 77,617 in 2019.

Warner Robins, Georgia
City
Seal
Nicknames: 
The International City
Motto(s): 
Georgia's International
Location in Houston County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 32°36′31″N 83°38′17″W
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountiesHouston, Peach
FoundedSeptember 1, 1942
Government
 • MayorRandy Toms
Area
 • City37.97 sq mi (98.34 km2)
 • Land37.65 sq mi (97.51 km2)
 • Water0.32 sq mi (0.83 km2)  0.8%
Elevation
365 ft (93 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • City66,588
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
77,617
 • Density2,061.65/sq mi (796.01/km2)
 • Metro
179,605
 • Metro density229/sq mi (88.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
Area code(s)478
FIPS code13-80508[3]
GNIS feature ID0333366[4]
Websitewrga.gov

The city is the main component of the Warner Robins Metropolitan Statistical Area, including the entirety of Houston, Peach, and Pulaski counties, which had an estimated population of 193,835 in 2018; it, in turn, is a component of a larger trade area, the Macon–Warner Robins–Fort Valley Combined Statistical Area, with an estimated 2018 population of 423,572. Robins Air Force Base, a major U.S. Air Force maintenance and logistics complex founded as Warner Robins Air Depot in 1942, is located just east of the city limits; the base's expansion and the suburbanization of nearby Macon have led to the city's rapid growth in the post-World War II era.

History

Warner Robins was founded in 1942 when the small farming community of Wellston was renamed for General Augustine Warner Robins (1882-1940) of the United States Army Air Corps, which later became the United States Air Force.[5] It was incorporated as a town in 1943 and as a city in 1956.[6]

The 1940 census shows that the community of Wellston was sparsely populated and inhabited primarily by farmers and their families. Its most notable landmark was a stop on the railroad line. Wellston also had a small sawmill and a grocery store. Peach orchards covered parts of the surrounding land.

World War II soon changed this. The War Department made plans to build an air depot in the Southeast. With the assistance of influential U.S. Representative Carl Vinson, Wellston community leader Charles Bostic "Boss" Watson worked with officials in Macon to make a bid to locate this air depot in Houston County. In June 1941, the U.S. government accepted this offer, which included 3,108 acres (12.58 km2) of land.[7]

This air force base was initially called Wellston Army Air Depot when it opened in 1942. The first commander was Colonel Charles E. Thomas. He wanted to name this depot in honor of his mentor Augustine Warner Robins, who was called by his middle name, Warner. Regulations prevented him from doing this, which required the base to be named after the nearest town. Not deterred by this, Colonel Thomas persuaded Boss Watson and the other community leaders to rename the town of Wellston. So on September 1, 1942, the town was given the new name of Warner Robins.[8] Soon thereafter, on October 14, 1942, the base was renamed to become Warner Robins Army Air Depot. The city has a unique name, shared with no other town in the United States.

Robins Air Force Base is not within the city limits of the town but is across U.S. Highway 129 (Georgia State Highway 247), which serves as a boundary between the base and the city.

In 2018, First Solar announced a project for a 200-megawatt, 2,000-acre (8.1 km2) solar panel facility in Twiggs County east of Warner Robins. The facility would be the largest solar facility in the southeast.[9]

On July 7, 2018 Rigby's Water World, a multi-phase water park and entertainment district was opened.[10] The water park will be on the site of Rigby's Entertainment Complex located on the southern edge of town.[11]

Geography

Warner Robins is located at 32°36′31″N 83°38′17″W (32.608720ºN, −83.638027ºE).[12] It is approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of Macon and 100 miles (160 km) south of Atlanta.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.4 square miles (92 km2), of which 35.1 square miles (91 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) (0.82%) is water.

Government
Main article: List of mayors of Warner Robins, Georgia

Warner Robins is governed by a mayor and a six-member city council, four of whom are elected by district and two of whom are elected at-large. Randy Toms has served as mayor since 2013.

Since 2013, most of the city is within the 147th district of the Georgia House of Representatives, currently represented by Republican member Heath Clark.

Transportation

Major roads

Warner Robins is generally located between U.S. Highway 129/Georgia State Route 247 and Interstate 75 about 6 miles (10 km) to the west; Georgia State Route 96 passes through the southern edge of the city. U.S. Highway 129 leads north 19 mi (31 km) to downtown Macon and south 28 mi (45 km) to Hawkinsville. GA-247 follows U.S. Highway 129 throughout the city, and leads north to Macon and south to Hawkinsville. GA-96 leads northeast 27 mi (43 km) to Jeffersonville and west 20 mi (32 km) to Fort Valley.

Pedestrians and cycling
▪ Walker's Pond Trail

▪ Wellston Trail

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19507,986—
196018,633133.3%
197033,49179.7%
198039,89319.1%
199043,7269.6%
200048,80411.6%
201066,58836.4%
Est. 201977,617[2]16.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 66,588 people, 19,550 households, and 13,078 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,143.9 inhabitants per square mile (827.8/km2) . There were 29,084 housing units at an average density of 952.7 per square mile (367.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city included 50.00% White, 36.60% African American, 0.30% Native American, 2.60% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, .10% from other races, and 2.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.60% of the population.

There were 19,550 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city, the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,401, and the median income for a family was $44,217. Males had a median income of $33,030 versus $24,855 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,121. About 11.0% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Quality of life

In 2009, Business Week magazine named Warner Robins the best place in Georgia to raise a family.[14] The ranking was bestowed again for 2010.[15] The Warner Robins Area Chamber was named one of the top three chambers of commerce in the U.S. for a chamber in its division in 2009 by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association. In 2012, CNN Money named Warner Robins No. 7 on its Best Places To Live list for America's best small cities.[16]

Climate

Warner Robins has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa). It experiences hot, humid summers and generally mild winters, with average high temperatures ranging from 92.0 °F (33.3 °C) in the summer to 58.0 °F (14.4 °C) high during winter. Snowfall is a moderately rare event. Warner Robins-area historical tornado activity is slightly above the state average. It is 86% greater than the overall U.S. average.[17]

Climate data for Warner Robins, Georgia
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 84
(29)		 85
(29)		 90
(32)		 96
(36)		 99
(37)		 106
(41)		 108
(42)		 105
(41)		 102
(39)		 100
(38)		 88
(31)		 82
(28)		 108
(42)
Average high °F (°C) 58
(14)		 62
(17)		 70
(21)		 77
(25)		 85
(29)		 90
(32)		 92
(33)		 91
(33)		 86
(30)		 77
(25)		 69
(21)		 60
(16)		 76
(25)
Average low °F (°C) 35
(2)		 38
(3)		 44
(7)		 50
(10)		 59
(15)		 68
(20)		 71
(22)		 70
(21)		 64
(18)		 53
(12)		 43
(6)		 36
(2)		 53
(12)
Record low °F (°C) −6
(−21)		 9
(−13)		 14
(−10)		 28
(−2)		 40
(4)		 46
(8)		 54
(12)		 55
(13)		 35
(2)		 26
(−3)		 10
(−12)		 5
(−15)		 −6
(−21)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.2
(110)		 4.5
(110)		 4.6
(120)		 3.0
(76)		 2.7
(69)		 4.1
(100)		 5.0
(130)		 4.1
(100)		 3.6
(91)		 2.8
(71)		 3.3
(84)		 4.0
(100)		 45.9
(1,161)
Source: City-data.com,[18] the Weather Channel (records only)[18]

Museum of Aviation
Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base

Warner Robins is home to the Museum of Aviation, which honors the history of military aviation. It is located next to the Air Force base. The museum contains exhibits on military memorabilia, airplanes and ground vehicles, the Tuskegee Airmen, and Operation Desert Storm. It is the second largest museum sponsored by the United States Air Force and the fourth-most visited museum in the Department of Defense.[19] It is also the largest tourist attraction outside Atlanta in the state of Georgia.

Baseball and Softball

Warner Robins residents claim that in 1958, Claude Lewis, director of the Warner Robins Recreation Department, invented the game of tee-ball. The first game was played in March of that year with 20 children participating. Lewis wrote rules for the new game and sent rule books out to recreation departments all over the country. In 2006, a field was dedicated and named for Lewis, "the father of tee-ball", at the Warner Robins American Little League complex.

Warner Robins Little League won the 2007 Little League World Series 3–2 against Tokyo Kitasuna Little League of Tokyo, Japan.[20]

Southeast Region Headquarters of Little League

On December 9, 2008 the Little League International Board of Directors unanimously voted for Warner Robins to become the new Southeast Region Headquarters of Little League Baseball and Softball. Games began to be played in Warner Robins in 2010.[21]

The Warner Robins American Little League girls' softball team won the 2009 Little League Softball World Series by defeating Crawford, Texas, making Warner Robins the only Little League to have won both a baseball and a softball title.[22]

The Warner Robins American Little League girls' softball team defended their 2009 championship by defeating Burbank, California in the 2010 Little League Softball World Series. By doing so, Warner Robins became only the fourth Little League program to produce back-to-back championship teams, and the first since Waco, Texas, which had won in 2003–2004.[23]

EDIMGIAFAD
Patriotic mural on building in Commercial Circle

The official motto of Warner Robins is "EDIMGIAFAD", which is an acronym for "Every Day In Middle Georgia Is Armed Forces Appreciation Day". (originally: Every Day In Middle Georgia Is Air Force Appreciation Day). The coining of this phrase is attributed to Dr. Dan Callahan, a local civic leader.[24] In 2010, Dr. Callahan and a group of community leaders launched an effort to change the acronym to "EDIUSAIAFAD", as part of a movement to take the sentiment national: "Every Day in the USA is Armed Forces Appreciation Day".[25]

Economy
View of Robins Air Force Base from Warner Robins

Robins Air Force Base is one of the largest employers in the state of Georgia and directly contributes over 25,000 military, civil service, and contractor jobs to the local economy.[26] It has provided economic stability for Warner Robins that has benefited the entire Middle Georgia community.

The city of Warner Robins is working on redeveloping and renewing areas that have suffered from urban decay and/or abandonment through neglect and city growth. The city's plans include development of a centralized downtown center "for pedestrian-oriented businesses, culture and community gathering" to be re-established at Commercial Circle in order to "connect commerce and culture back to Downtown." [27]

In May 2009 Warner Robins was listed by the Adversity Index as one of four Georgia metro areas that have had less than nine months of recession over the past fifteen years and have only recently been affected by the Global Financial Crisis of 2008–2009.

In June 2011, Warner Robins was listed in Wired magazine as one of 12 small cities that are driving the "Knowledge Economy".[28] Georgia was the only Southeastern state listed, and Warner Robins was one of two Georgia cities ranked (the other one being Hinesville-Ft. Stewart). The rankings featured small cities that are luring knowledge workers and entrepreneurs and which have both a relatively high median family income and a relatively high percentage of creative workers who drive the economy.

Houston Medical Center
Houston Medical Center on Watson Boulevard

Houston County Hospital was dedicated on July 2, 1960 with 50 beds. The hospital was renamed Houston Medical Center in 1986 after renovations. The patient rooms were converted at this time from semi-private to private, with 186 beds available. The addition of a new five-story northwest tower was completed in 2009, making a total of 237 beds. Houston Medical Center is part of the Houston Healthcare system, which serves over 300,000 people annually.[29]

Football

High school football has long been a storied and celebrated pastime in Warner Robins, with the city laying claim to state championships, national championships, college stars, and NFL players.

The annual Northside vs. Warner Robins game draws an estimated 21,000 fans and was named the #3 rivalry in the country by USA Today in 2006.

Warner Robins High School won two National Championships, in 1976 and 1981. It won four State Championships, in 1976, 1981, 1988 and 2004.

Northside High School was crowned State Champion in 2006, 2007 and 2014.

Warner Robins Little Theatre
Warner Robins Little Theatre playhouse

The Warner Robins Little Theatre was established in 1962 as a non-profit community theatre. This organization now owns their theatre playhouse debt-free. The theatre continues to thrive. Five main shows are produced every year. Occasionally workshops and other special events are held for the Middle Georgia community.[30]

The bands Rehab, Stillwater, Doc Holliday, Sugar Creek, and Luke's Cabbage Store are based in Warner Robins.

  • Warner Robins Law Enforcement Center
  • Southeastern Region Little League Stadium
  • Little League World Series display
  • Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Davis Drive
  • State Court of Houston County

Local media

Newspapers
  • The Telegraph, daily
  • The Sun, a section of the Telegraph printed weekly devoted to news in Houston and Peach Counties
  • Houston Home Journal, twice weekly, the legal organ for Houston County

Television stations

Warner Robins is part of the Macon DMA, which is the nation's 120th largest television market. See the box below for local television stations:

Radio stations

Warner Robins is part of the Macon Arbitron Metro which is the nation's 130th largest radio market with a person 12+ population of 372,400. See the box below for the local radio stations:

Notable people

Education
Warner Robins campus of Central Georgia Technical College
Middle Georgia State College in Warner Robins

The portion of Warner Robins in Houston County is served by the Houston County School System. The portion of the city in Peach County is served by Peach County School District.

Branch campuses of colleges and universities

High schools

Libraries
Nola Brantley Memorial Library

The library is the Nola Brantley Memorial Library.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes have continually plagued the city since its inception with the 1950s seeing at least four catastrophic tornadoes strike the area. The first one occurred on April 30, 1953, when an F4 tornado with winds of over 200 mph hit the city and portions of Robins Air Force Base, killing 18 people and injuring 300 more.[36][37] That same day, a second tornado that was rated F2 damaged the northwest side of town.[38] Just ten months later on March 13, 1954, a long-tracked F1 tornado struck the town, killing one and injuring five.[39] Three years later, on April 5, 1957, a long-tracked F2 tornado family hit the northwest side of the city, causing considerable damage.[40] To date, at least nine tornadoes have hit the town and the surrounding area.[41]

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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 January 31, 2008.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 246. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  6. Hellmann, Paul T. (May 13, 2013). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 251. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  7. The New Georgia Guide. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press. 1996. p. 433. ISBN 0-8203-1799-3.
  8. Dixon, Claire (1993). Warner Robins: The Second 25 Years. Alpharetta, GA: WH Wolfe Associates. pp. 1–2.
  9. "Largest Solar Plant in Southeast Will Be Built in Georgia". powermag.com. February 22, 2018. Archived from the original on March 24, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  10. "Rigby's Water World makes its debut splash to the public - 41NBC News - WMGT-DT". July 9, 2018.
  11. "New water park will open this year, owner says".
  12. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
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  17. "Warner Robins, Georgia (GA 31005, 31088) profile: population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news, sex offenders". City-data.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
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  19. "About the Museum of Aviation - Museum of Aviation". Museumofaviation.org. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  20. "Georgia crowned LLWS champs behind Carriker's 8th-inning jack", ESPN, The Associated Press, August 26, 2007, archived from the original on October 6, 2010, retrieved December 4, 2009
  21. "Warner Robins, Ga., Selected as Site of New Little League Southeast Region Headquarters". Little League Online. Little League. December 9, 2008. Archived from the original on May 25, 2009. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  22. "Warner Robins team routs Crawford". ESPN. August 25, 2009. Archived from the original on August 25, 2009. Retrieved August 26, 2009.
  23. "Warner Robins American Little League Repeats as Little League Softball World Series Champions". Little League Online. August 18, 2010. Archived from the original on August 22, 2010. Retrieved August 19, 2010. Warner Robins American Little League made it back to the Little League Baseball World Series in 2011, going 1–2. The team, led by "Man Child" Jake Fromm, was coached by Buddy Deal, Shane Williams, and managed by Phillip Johnson.
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  28. Davidson, Adam. "Small Cities Feed the Knowledge Economy". Wired.com. Archived from the original on February 15, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
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  30. ""About WRLT"". Wrlt.org. Archived from the original on June 27, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
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  36. Mackie, Matt. "Midstate residents remember EF4 tornado in Warner Robins 65 years ago". WGXA. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  37. National Weather Service (February 2020). Georgia Event Report: F4 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  38. National Weather Service (February 2020). Georgia Event Report: F2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  39. "Georgia F1". Tornado History Projects. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  40. "Georgia F2". Tornado History Projects. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  41. "Tornado History Project: Houston County, Georgia". Tornado History Projects. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
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