Editing Rockmart, Georgia

{{Short description|City in Georgia, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
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 | official_name            = The City of Rockmart
 | native_name              = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
 | other_name               = 
 | settlement_type          = [[City]]
 | image_skyline            = Rockmart Downtown Historic District October 2016.jpg
 | imagesize                = 
 | image_caption            = Rockmart Downtown Historic District
 | image_flag               = Flag of Rockmart, Georgia.png
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 | image_seal               = Seal of Rockmart, Georgia.png
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 | motto                    = "Where Past & Present Stroll Side by Side in the dark of the day or light of the night!!!"<ref name="rockmart-ga.gov">{{cite web|url=  http://www.rockmart-ga.gov/|title= City of Rockmart, Georgia Official Website|publisher= City of Rockmart, Georgia Official Website |access-date= September 4, 2012}}</ref>

<!-- images and maps  ----------->
 | image_map                = Polk_County_Georgia_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Rockmart_Highlighted.svg
 | mapsize                  = 250px
 | map_caption              = Location in [[Polk County, Georgia|Polk County]] in the state of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
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 | coordinates              = {{coord|34|0|14|N|85|2|57|W|region:US-GA|display=inline,title}}
 | subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
 | subdivision_name         = {{nowrap|{{flag|United States of America}}}}
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Georgia (U.S. state)|County]]
 | subdivision_type3        = Established
 | subdivision_name1        = {{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Polk County, Georgia|Polk]]

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 | established_title        = <!-- Settled -->
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<!-- Area    --------------------->
 | government_footnotes     = 
 | government_type          = Mayor-Council
 | leader_title             = Mayor
 | leader_name              = Sherman Ross<ref name="GR14">{{cite web|url=https://www.rockmart-ga.gov/MayorAndCouncil.aspx|publisher=[[Rockmart, GA]]|access-date=November 30, 2020|title=The Official Site of Rockmart, Georgia}}</ref>
 | leader_title1            = City Manager
 | leader_name1             = Stacey Smith
 | unit_pref                = Imperial
 | area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_13.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=December 18, 2021}}</ref>
 | area_magnitude           = 
 | area_total_km2           = 14.80
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 5.72
 | area_land_km2            = 14.61
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 5.64
 | area_water_km2           = 0.19
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 0.07
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<!-- Population   ----------------------->
 | elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use <ref> tags-->
 | elevation_m              = 238
 | elevation_ft             = 781
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
 | population_total         = 4732
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_footnotes     = 
 | population_density_km2   = 323.82
 | population_density_sq_mi = 838.71
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<!-- General information  --------------->
 | population_note          = 
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
 | postal_code              = 30153
 | area_code                = [[Area code 770|770]]/[[Area codes 678, 470, and 943|678/470/943]]
 | website                  = [http://www.rockmart-ga.gov/ City of Rockmart, Georgia Official Website]
 | footnotes                = 
 | image_dot_map            = 
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 | leader_title2            = City Clerk
 | leader_name2             = Jada Edwards
 | leader_title3            = 
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 | leader_name4             = 
 | timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
 | utc_offset               = -5
 | timezone_DST             = EDT
 | utc_offset_DST           = -4
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
 | blank_info               = 13-66276<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
 | blank1_info              = 0356502<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
 | pop_est_as_of            = 2024
 | pop_est_footnotes        = 
 | population_est           = 5012
 | name                     = 
}}
[[Image:Quarry, Rockmart, Georgia.jpg|thumb|Rockmart was named for its economic position as a major quarry and rock market.]]

'''Rockmart''' is a town in [[Polk County, Georgia|Polk County]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], United States. Its population was 4,732 at the [[United States Census, 2020|2020 census]]. It developed as a railroad depot town when the [[Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern Railway]] built a station in the area.<ref name="rockmart-ga.gov"/> The community was incorporated in 1872, and was named from abundant deposits of slate in the area.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IP4vAAAAIBAJ&pg=3293%2C582024 | title=Polk County| work=Calhoun Times | date=September 1, 2004 | access-date=April 26, 2015 | pages=102}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=http://www.kenkrakow.com/gpn/r.pdf| title=Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins | publisher=Winship Press | author=Krakow, Kenneth K. | year=1975 | location=Macon, GA | pages=191 | isbn=0-915430-00-2}}</ref> The [[Rockmart Downtown Historic District]] is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].

==Geography==
Rockmart is located at {{Coord|34.003952|-85.049202|type:city_region:US|format=dms|display=inline}}.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|4.4|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|4.3|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|km2}} (0.69%) is water. Most of the town is in Polk County; parts of it also stretches into [[Paulding County, Georgia|Paulding County]].

[[U.S. Route 278 in Georgia|U.S. Route 278]], and Georgia State Routes [[Georgia State Route 101|101]] and [[Georgia State Route 113|113]], are the major roads through the town. U.S. 278 runs from west to east as a northern bypass, leading southeast {{convert|15|mi|km|abbr=on}} to [[Dallas, Georgia|Dallas]] and west {{convert|14|mi|km|abbr=on}} to [[Cedartown, Georgia|Cedartown]], the Polk County seat. GA-101 runs along the northern bypass of the town with U.S. 278, leading north {{convert|20|mi|km|abbr=on}} to [[Rome, Georgia|Rome]] and southeast {{convert|8|mi|km|abbr=on}} to [[Yorkville, Georgia|Yorkville]] (concurrent with GA-113). GA-113 also follows U.S. 278/GA-101 along the northern bypass of the town, leading northeast {{convert|19|mi|km|abbr=on}} to [[Cartersville, Georgia|Cartersville]] and southeast to Yorkville (concurrent with GA-101).

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 450
|1890= 411
|1900= 575
|1910= 1034
|1920= 1400
|1930= 3264
|1940= 3764
|1950= 3821
|1960= 3938
|1970= 3857
|1980= 3623
|1990= 3356
|2000= 3870
|2010= 4199
|2020= 4732
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Rockmart racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1366276&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-12|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|3,166
|66.91%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|1,097
|23.18%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|14
|0.3%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|56
|1.18%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|1
|0.02%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/mixed]]
|237
|5.01%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|161
|3.4%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 4,732 people, 1,557 households, and 1,131 families residing in the city.

==Economy==
Beginning in the mid-1990s, Rockmart experienced a period of economic expansion. Growth in the form of new restaurants and casual dining, as well as retail shopping, came about as residential building increased.

==Culture==
[[Image:Rockmart Art Center Theatre.JPG|thumb|right|250px|[[Rockmart Art Center Theatre]]]]

===Arts and theater===
The Drama Department at [[Rockmart High School]] is known for its involvement with the community and every spring the advanced acting class performs at a [[Georgia High School Association|GHSA]] [[One-act play]] competition. When the new Rockmart High School was constructed, performance space was not included. Instead, the Rockmart Thespians use the historic [[Rockmart Art Center Theatre]] for their productions. The department has produced many theatrical feats. In October 2008, the Rockmart High School Thespians placed first at the Region AA One Act Competition with their performance of [[Godspell]], as well as receiving the Best Actor award. The RHS Thespians then took the show to the State AA One Act Competition and placed 3rd out of four schools.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ghsa.net/node/1621|title=Congratulations to the 2008-2009 GHSA One-Act Play Champions!|access-date=September 7, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620185947/http://www.ghsa.net/node/1621|archive-date=June 20, 2010}}</ref> In 2013, Rockmart Thespians placed first in the State AAA One Act Competition.

===Music===
Another important addition to the performing arts in Rockmart is the Rockmart High Marching Yellow Jacket band.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rockmartband.org/ |website=Rockmart Yellow Jacket Band |publisher=rockmartband.org |access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref> The band won a best in show at the 2006 and 2008 [[Golden River Marching Festival]]. In those competitions, both band and auxiliary sections (such as the drumline, tubas, colorguard and danceline) were regarded as being among the best in Northwest Georgia. RHS host the annual Yellow Jacket Classic band competition every year, and is well attended by bands all over the state.

===Rockmart In the movies===
The movie ''[[Irresistible (2020 film)|Irresistible]]'' produced by [[Jon Stewart]] was filmed in the Seaborn Jones Park, historic downtown Rockmart, and Rockmart Middle School. Downtown Rockmart was the location of the fictional Deerlaken, Wisconsin.

==Parks and recreation==
Parks and recreation areas in Rockmart include the [[Nathan Dean Complex]], the [[Silver Comet Trail]] & Riverwalk Park,<ref>[http://www.silvercometga.com/silver-comet-polk-county/silver-comet-rockmart.shtml Silver Comet Trail, Rockmart Trailhead Facts - Rockmart, GA<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> as well as Rockmart City Parks.<ref>[http://www.rockmart-ga.gov/index.asp?NID=68 Rockmart, GA - Official Website - Facilities<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

==Government==
Rockmart operates under a council-manager form of government. The city is divided into five council wards, each electing one member to the council. The city's mayor serves as chairman of the council, and is its sixth member. The mayor and council, together, appoint the city manager. Other appointed positions include the city clerk, city attorney, city auditor, and city court judge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rockmart, GA - City Council |url=https://www.rockmart-ga.gov/CityCouncil.aspx |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=www.rockmart-ga.gov}}</ref>

==Education==
The city of Rockmart is a part of the [[Polk County School District, Georgia|Polk County School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.polk.k12.ga.us/|title= Polk School District|publisher= Polk School District |access-date= September 4, 2012}}</ref> It has one high school, [[Rockmart High School]]; one middle school, Rockmart Middle School; and two elementary schools, Eastside Elementary and Van Wert Elementary. Rockmart High School is the only high school in the city of Rockmart and serves the [[Aragon, Georgia|Aragon]] community as well. As of the 2011/12 school year, the school had an enrollment of 837 students and 50.10 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 16.71.

In 1912, the [[Georgia Legislature]] created the public school system in the state of Georgia. That year, the city of Rockmart began the Rockmart School System in the building vacated by the [[Piedmont Institution]] (established in 1889 by the [[Methodist]] [[North Georgia Annual Conference]]). It had closed after a 23-year existence in 1912, after it was purchased by the Rockmart School Board of trustees. Rockmart High School was in the building until it burned down in 1915. The building was later rebuilt until the building burned down again in 1940. The current lot is now the Rockmart Governmental Complex. Prior to the Polk County School System of Georgia, RHS had its own city school system and rival school [[Cedartown High School]] also had its own city school system in [[Cedartown, Georgia|Cedartown]].

The Polk County campus of [[Georgia Northwestern Technical College]] is also located in Rockmart.

===Racial integration===
Prior to the [[racial integration]] of the Polk County School System, two high schools existed in Rockmart—Rockmart High School and Elm Street High School—which served the [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]] community of Rockmart. The integration of the school system began in the year 1964 when some African American students began attending Rockmart High School until total integration was achieved in 1965 with the closing of Elm Street High School.

==Transportation==

===Rail===
The Southern Railway had two Mid-West to Florida named trains, ''[[Ponce de Leon (train)|Ponce de Leon]]'' and ''[[Royal Palm (train)|Royal Palm]]'', that made stops in the town into the 1960s.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Southern Railway, Table 5|journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=100 |issue=5 |date=October 1967}}</ref> The [[Seaboard Air Line Railroad]], had the ''[[Silver Comet (train)|Silver Comet]],'' which made a stop in Rockmart on all trips between Atlanta and Birmingham. The Passenger and Mail #5 and #6 made stops in Rockmart,<ref>Seaboard Air Line timetable, April 30, 1967, Table 9</ref> until it was cancelled in 1968. The ''Silver Comet'' continued on the merged [[Seaboard Coast Line]], which discontinued the train on May 30, 1969.<ref>Seaboard Coast Line timetable, December 13, 1968, Table 7</ref><ref>American Rails, 'Silver Comet' https://www.american-rails.com/3334.html</ref>

===Roads===
[[U.S. Route 278]] and [[Georgia State Route 6]] run through the town.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}

==Notable people==
* [[Fred P. Branson]] (1881–1960), native of Rockmart; Oklahoma attorney, judge and politician; served as associate justice of Oklahoma Supreme Court
* [[Bill Calhoun (baseball)|Bill Calhoun]], former [[Major League Baseball]] first baseman for the [[Boston Braves (baseball)|Boston Braves]].
* [[Nathan Dean]], former Georgia State Senator from the 31st District<ref>[http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/7795/nathan-dean Votesmart.org-Nathan Dean]</ref>
* [[Brody Malone]], gymnast and two-time Olympian ([[Gymnastics at the 2020 Summer Olympics|2020]] and [[Gymnastics at the 2024 Summer Olympics|2024]])
* [[Danny Ware]], former [[running back]] for the [[NFL]] [[New York Giants]].

{{Portal bar|Geography|North America|United States|Georgia USA}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.rockmart-ga.gov/ Official website]

{{Polk County, Georgia}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Polk County, Georgia]]
[[Category:1872 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1872]]