Douglasville, Georgia | |
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City | |
Motto: "New Growth, Old Charm, Always Home" | |
Location in Douglas County and the state of Georgia |
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Location of Douglasville in Metro Atlanta | |
Coordinates: 33°44′59″N 84°43′23″W / 33.74972°N 84.72306°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Georgia |
County | Douglas |
Government | |
• Mayor | Rochelle Robinson |
• City Manager | Marcia Hampton |
Area | |
• Total | 22.6 sq mi (58.5 km2) |
• Land | 22.5 sq mi (58.2 km2) |
• Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2) |
Elevation | 1,201 ft (366 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 30,961 |
• Estimate (2016) | 33,252 |
• Density | 1,448/sq mi (559.0/km2) |
Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
• Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
ZIP codes | 30122, 30133-30135. 30154 |
Area code(s) | 770/678/470 |
FIPS code | 13-23900 |
GNIS feature ID | 0355535 |
Website | www |
The city of Douglasville is the county seat of Douglas County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census[update], the city had a population of 30,961, up from 20,065 in 2000.
Douglasville is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) west of Atlanta and is part of the Atlanta Metro Area. Highway access can be obtained via three interchanges along Interstate 20.
Located along a natural rise in the topography, Douglasville was originally known as "Skint Chestnut." The name was derived from a large tree used by Native Americans as a landmark; it was stripped of its bark so as to be more conspicuous.
Douglasville was founded in 1874 as the railroad was constructed in the area. That same year, Douglasville was designated as the county seat of the recently formed Douglas County. The community was named for Senator Stephen A. Douglas. The town was originally named for Frederick Douglass during Reconstruction and this naming was undone by former Confederate leaders once Reconstruction was abandoned by the country.
An election was held on the first Saturday in March 1875, and a mayor, treasurer, records (secretary), and marshal were chosen.
In 1916, the Reverend Atkinson of Douglasville was a key figure in the Arc Light Controversy in Atlanta.
On September 21, 2009, Douglas County was devastated by the worst flood in Georgia history. Over 18 inches (457 mm) of rain fell in one night, destroying many roads and homes. The county was later declared a disaster area, and the governor of Georgia declared a state of emergency. The flooding most affected the areas of Douglasville, Villa Rica, Austell, Lithia Springs, and Chapel Hill. The disaster killed more than eight people in the county, most of them in the Douglasville area.