Editing Statesboro, Georgia

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info ----------------->
|name                      = Statesboro, Georgia
|native_name               = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|nickname                  =
|settlement_type           = [[City]]
|motto                     =
<!-- images and maps ------------>
|image_skyline             = Statesboro.jpg
|imagesize                 =
|image_caption             = From top to bottom left to right: The [[Bulloch County Courthouse]] and Averitt Center for the Arts, [[Splash in the Boro]] Water Park, Campus [[Georgia Southern University]], the Emma Kelly Theater
|image_flag                = Flag of Statesboro, Georgia.png
|flag_size                 =
|image_seal                = City_of_Statesboro_seal.jpg
|seal_size                 =
|image_shield              =
|shield_size               =
|image_blank_emblem        =
|blank_emblem_type         =
|blank_emblem_size         =
|image_map                 = Bulloch_County_Georgia_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Statesboro_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                   = 250px
|map_caption               = Location in Bulloch County, Georgia
|pushpin_map               = USA Georgia#USA
|pushpin_map_caption       = Location within Georgia##Location within the United States
|pushpin_relief            = yes
|pushpin_label             = Statesboro
<!-- Location ------------------>
|subdivision_type          = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name          = United States
|subdivision_type1         = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1         = [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
|subdivision_type2         = [[List of counties in Georgia (U.S. state)|County]]
|subdivision_name2         = [[Bulloch County, Georgia|Bulloch]]
|subdivision_type3         =
|subdivision_name3         =
|subdivision_type4         =
|subdivision_name4         =
<!-- Politics ----------------->
|government_footnotes      =
|government_type           =
|leader_title              = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name               = Jonathan McCollar
|leader_title1             = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
|leader_name1              =
|leader_title2             =
|leader_name2              =
|leader_title3             =
|leader_name3              =
|leader_title4             =
|leader_name4              =
|established_title         = <!-- Settled -->
|established_date          =
|established_title2        = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
|established_date2         =
|established_title3        = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
|established_date3         =
<!-- Area ------------------------>
|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_total_km2            = 39.64
|area_land_km2             = 38.84
|area_water_km2            = 0.81
|area_total_sq_mi          = 15.31
|area_land_sq_mi           = 14.99
|area_water_sq_mi          = 0.31
|area_water_percent        =
|area_urban_km2            =
|area_urban_sq_mi          =
|area_metro_km2            =
|area_metro_sq_mi          =
|area_blank1_title         =
|area_blank1_km2           =
|area_blank1_sq_mi         =
<!-- Population ------------------------->
|population_as_of          = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est            =
|pop_est_as_of             =
|pop_est_footnotes         =
|population_footnotes      =
|population_total          = 33438
|population_density_km2    = 860.97
|population_density_sq_mi  = 2229.94
|population_metro          = 71214 (US: [[List of micropolitan statistical areas|95th]])
|population_density_metro_km2    =
|population_density_metro_sq_mi  =
|population_urban                =
|population_density_urban_km2    =
|population_density_urban_sq_mi  =
|population_blank1_title         =
|population_blank1               =
|population_density_blank1_km2   =
|population_density_blank1_sq_mi =
<!-- General information  --------------->
|timezone                  = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
|utc_offset                = -5
|timezone_DST              = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
|utc_offset_DST            = -4
|coordinates               = {{coord|32|26|43|N|81|46|45|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes       = <!--for references: use tags-->
|elevation_m               = 77
|elevation_ft              = 253
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|postal_code_type          = [[ZIP code]]s
|postal_code               = 30458-30461
|area_code                 = [[Area code 912|912]]
|blank_name                = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info                = 13-73256<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name               = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info               = 0323541<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
|website                   = {{URL|www.statesboroga.gov|City of Statesboro}}
|footnotes                 =
}}
'''Statesboro''' is the most populous city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Bulloch County, Georgia]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref> Located in the southeastern part of the state, its population was 33,438 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. It is the principal city of the [[Micropolitan statistical area|Statesboro micropolitan area]], which had 81,099 residents, and is part of the [[Savannah metropolitan area|Savannah–Hinesville–Statesboro combined statistical area]].

The city was chartered in 1803, starting as a small trading community providing basic essentials for surrounding [[plantations in the American South|cotton plantations]]. This drove the economy throughout the 19th century, both before and after the [[American Civil War]]. In 1906, Statesboro was selected as the home of the First District A&M School, a [[land grant college]] that eventually developed into [[Georgia Southern University]].

Statesboro inspired the blues song "[[Statesboro Blues]]", written by [[Blind Willie McTell]] in the 1920s, and covered in a well-known version by the [[Allman Brothers Band]].<ref name="visit-statesboro.com">[http://www.visit-statesboro.com/history.htm Statesboro, Georgia Convention and Visitors Bureau<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324105826/http://www.visit-statesboro.com/history.htm |date=March 24, 2008 }}</ref> In 2017, Statesboro was selected in the top three of the national America's Best Communities competition and was named one of nine Georgia "live, work, play" cities by the Georgia Municipal Association.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegeorgeanne.com/news/article_e67c3f7d-ad85-5a3b-b4cc-07f019ace041.html|title=Statesboro places in America's Best Communities contest|author1=Taisha White|author2=Tandra Smith|website=Thegeorgeanne.com|access-date=12 July 2018}}</ref><ref>[http://www.statesboroherald.com/archives/78418/] {{dead link|date=July 2018}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Bulloch County Courthouse, Statesboro, GA, US.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bulloch County Courthouse]]]]
In 1801, George Sibbald of [[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]] donated a {{convert|9301|acre|km2|adj=on}} tract for a centrally located county seat for the growing agricultural community of Bulloch County. The area was developed by white planters largely for cotton plantations that were worked by [[Slavery in the United States|black slave]] labor. In December 1803, the Georgia legislature created the town of Statesborough. The community most likely was named after the notion of [[states' rights]], an issue central in the [[1800 United States presidential election]].<ref>{{cite book | url=http://www.kenkrakow.com/gpn/s.pdf| title=Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins | publisher=Winship Press | author=Krakow, Kenneth K. | year=1975 | location=Macon, GA | page=212 | isbn=0-915430-00-2}}</ref> In 1866 the state legislature granted a permanent charter to the city, changing the spelling of its name to the present "Statesboro."

During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and [[William Tecumseh Sherman|General William T. Sherman's]] famous [[Sherman's March to the Sea|March to the Sea]] through Georgia, a [[Union Army|Union]] officer asked a saloon proprietor for directions to Statesboro. The proprietor replied, "You are standing in the middle of town,"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bullochhistory.com/timelineb|title=Bullochhistory – Timeline|website=Bullochhistory.com|access-date=12 July 2018}}</ref> indicating its small size. The soldiers destroyed the courthouse, a log structure that doubled as a barn when court was not in session. After the Civil War, the small town began to grow, and Statesboro has developed as a major town in southeastern Georgia. Many [[freedmen]] stayed in the area, working on plantations as [[sharecroppers]] and [[tenant farmer]]s.

Following the [[Reconstruction era]], racial violence of whites against blacks increased. In the era from 1880 to 1930, Georgia had the highest rate of [[lynching]]s of any state in the nation.<ref name="meyers2006killing">{{cite journal| author=Meyers, Christopher C| title= 'Killing Them by the Wholesale': A Lynching Rampage in South Georgia| journal=The Georgia Historical Quarterly| year=2006| volume=90| number=2| pages=214–235| publisher=| url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_q6VhhkczIYU2hSTHJtbHFmWGc/view?usp=sharing |access-date=14 May 2013}}</ref> Among them were three black men who were lynched and burned to death on August 16, 1904, near Statesboro. A fourth man was lynched later in the month in Bulloch County. After a white farm family was killed, the white community spread unfounded rumors of black clergy urging blacks to violence against whites, and more than twelve black men were arrested in this case.<ref name="moseley">[https://www.jstor.org/stable/40580763?loggedin=true&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents Charlton Moseley and Frederick Brogdon, Review: "A Lynching at Statesboro: The Story of Paul Reed and Will Cato"], ''The Georgia Historical Quarterly'' Vol. 65, No. 2 (Summer, 1981), pp. 104–118, accessed 29 July 2016</ref>

[[Lynching of Paul Reed and Will Cato|Paul Reed and Will Cato]] were convicted of the Hodge family murders by an [[all-white jury]] and sentenced to death on August 16, 1904, but they were abducted that day from the courthouse by a lynch mob and brutally burned to death. Handy Bell, another suspect, was lynched and burned by a mob that night.<ref name="pittsburg">[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19040817&id=LLsaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pEgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3929,7388934&hl=en  ''Pittsburg Press,'' 17 August 1904; accessed 29 July 2016]</ref> White violence against blacks did not end; both men and women were physically attacked on the streets. Two more black men were lynched in August 1904: Sebastian McBride in [[Portal, Georgia|Portal]], another town in Bulloch County, and A.L. Scott in [[Wilcox County, Georgia|Wilcox County]].<ref name="savannah.news"/><ref name="Ralph Ginzburg 1996">Ralph Ginzburg, ''100 Years of Lynching,'' Black Classic Press (1967/reprint paperback 1996); W. Fitzhugh Brundage, ''Lynching in the New South,'' Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1993</ref><ref name="moseley"/>
[[File:Jaeckel Hotel, Statesboro, GA, US.jpg|thumb|left|[[Statesboro City Hall]], located downtown in the renovated [[Jaeckel Hotel]] building. The hotel served as the center of local social life in the early part of the 20th century.]]
To escape oppression and violence, many African Americans left Statesboro and Bulloch County altogether, causing local businessmen to worry about labor shortages in the cotton and turpentine industries.<ref name="savannah.news">[http://savannahnow.com/features/150years/1900industry.shtml Jenel Few, "Racial strife"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601022015/http://savannahnow.com/features/150years/1900industry.shtml |date=2015-06-01 }}, ''Savannah Morning News,'' 20 August 2000; accessed 29 July 2016</ref>  African Americans made a [[Great Migration (African American)|Great Migration]] from the rural South to northern cities in the first half of the 20th century.<ref name="moseley"/> Local effects can be seen in the drop in Statesboro population growth from 1910 to 1930 on the census tables below in the "Demographics" section.

Around the turn of the century, new businesses in Statesboro included stores and banks built along North, East, South, and West Main streets. In 1908, Statesboro led the world in sales of long-staple [[Sea Island Cotton]], a specialty of the [[lowland|Low Country]]. Mechanization of agriculture decreased the need for some farm labor. After the [[boll weevil]] destroyed the cotton crop in the 1930s, farmers shifted to [[tobacco]]. The insect had invaded the South from the west, disrupting cotton cultivation throughout the region. By 1953, however, more than 20 million pounds of tobacco passed through warehouses in Statesboro, then the largest market of the "Bright Tobacco Belt" spanning Georgia and [[Florida]].

The 1906 First District Agricultural & Mechanical School at Statesboro was developed as a [[land grant college]], initiated by federal legislation to support education. Its mission shifted in the 1920s to teacher training; and in 1924 it was renamed as the Georgia Normal School. With expansion of the curriculum to a 4-year program, it was renamed as the South Georgia Teachers College in 1929. Other name changes were to Georgia Teachers College in 1939, and [[Georgia Southern College]] in 1959. After this period, it became racially integrated and with development of graduate programs and research in numerous fields, since 1990 it has had university status as [[Georgia Southern University]].

In March of 2025, Statesboro Chief of Police Charles “Mike” Broadhead announced a full staff of 79 sworn officers.<ref> https://www.statesboroherald.com/local/statesboro-pd-soon-to-be-at-full-force-for-first-time-this-decade/</ref>

==Geography==
Statesboro is located at {{Coord|32|26|43|N|81|46|45|W|type:city}} (32.445147, -81.779234).<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=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> The city is located in southeastern Georgia along U.S. Routes [[U.S. Route 80 in Georgia|80]], [[U.S. Route 25 in Georgia|25]], and [[U.S. Route 301 in Georgia|301]]. US 80 runs northwest to southeast through the city, leading southeast {{convert|58|mi|km|abbr=on}} to [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]] and west-northwest {{convert|37|mi|km|abbr=on}} to [[Swainsboro, Georgia|Swainsboro]]. US 25 and 301 run concurrently through the center of town and split upon their junction with US 80, leading south {{convert|12|mi|km|abbr=on}} to [[Interstate 16]] at exit 116. US 25 leads north {{convert|29|mi|km|abbr=on}} to [[Millen, Georgia|Millen]] and US 301 north {{convert|24|mi|km|abbr=on}} to [[Sylvania, Georgia|Sylvania]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|35.9|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|35.0|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.9|km2|order=flip}}, or 2.60%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US1373256| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212181202/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US1373256| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Statesboro city, Georgia| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=November 7, 2013}}</ref> The city is in the [[Atlantic coastal plain|coastal plain]] region, or Low Country, of Georgia, so it is mainly flat with a few small hills. With an elevation of {{convert|250|ft}}, the downtown area is one of the highest places in Bulloch County. Pine, oak, magnolia, dogwood, palm, [[sweetgum]], and a variety of other trees can be found in the area.

===Climate===
Statesboro has a [[humid subtropical climate]], according to the [[Köppen classification]]. The city experiences very hot and humid summers with average July highs of about {{Convert|91|F}} and lows around {{Convert|70|F}}. Afternoon thunderstorms associated with the summer heat and humidity can spawn from time to time. Winters are mild, with average January highs of {{Convert|58|F}} and lows of {{Convert|36|F}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USGA0534|title=Average Weather for Statesboro, GA – Temperature and Precipitation<!--Bot Generated Title-->|website=Weather.com|access-date=12 July 2018}}</ref> [[Winter storm]]s are rare, but they happen periodically, the most recent being an ice storm in January 2018. On February 12, 2010, approximately {{Convert|2|in|cm}} of snow fell on the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/chs/text/PNSCHS_02132010.txt |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-06-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930082151/http://www.erh.noaa.gov/chs/text/PNSCHS_02132010.txt |archive-date=2012-09-30 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1870 = 33
| 1880 = 29
| 1890 = 425
| 1900 = 1197
| 1910 = 2529
| 1920 = 3807
| 1930 = 3996
| 1940 = 5028
| 1950 = 6097
| 1960 = 8356
| 1970 = 14616
| 1980 = 14866
| 1990 = 15854
| 2000 = 22698
| 2010 = 28422
| 2020 = 33438
| 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>
}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Statesboro racial composition as of 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1373256&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-14|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|16,323
|48.82%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|13,282
|39.72%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|66
|0.2%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|634
|1.9%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|34
|0.1%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|1,169
|3.5%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|1,930
|5.77%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 33,438 people, 10,214 households, and 4,569 families residing in the city.

==Economy==
[[Image:Emma Kelly Theater Statesboro, Georgia.png|thumb|Emma Kelly Theater]]
The economy of Statesboro is based on education, manufacturing, and [[agribusiness]] sectors. Statesboro serves as a regional economic hub and has more than one billion dollars in annual retail sales.<ref>[http://www.georgiatrend.com/July-2010/Statesboro-Bulloch-County-Good-Timing "Statesboro, Bulloch County: Good Timing"], ''Georgia Trend,'' July 2010</ref> [[Georgia Southern University]] is the largest employer in the city, with 6,700 regional jobs tied directly and indirectly to the campus.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

Agriculture is responsible for $100 million in annual farm gate revenues.<ref name="georgiatrend.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.georgiatrend.com/July-2012/Statesboro-Bulloch-County-Brisk-Business/|title=Statesboro/Bulloch County: Brisk Business – Georgia Trend|website=Georgiatrend.com|date=30 June 2012}}</ref>

Statesboro is home to multiple manufacturing facilities. Statesboro [[Briggs & Stratton]] Plant is the third-largest employer in the region with 950 employees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statesboro-chamber.org/content/existing_industries |title=Existing Industries |access-date=2015-04-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420071705/http://www.statesboro-chamber.org/content/existing_industries |archive-date=2015-04-20 }}</ref>

The Development Authority of Bulloch County retains over {{Convert|100|acre|ha}} of GRAD (Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development) land at the Gateway Industrial Park. Southern Gateway Park is a newly developed {{Convert|200|acre|ha|adj=on}} tract located at the intersection of U.S. 301 and Interstate 16 in close proximity to the Court of Savannah. Southern Gateway is served by municipal water, sewer and natural gas lines.<ref>Shivers, David.  [https://www.georgiatrend.com/2016/03/01/statesboro-bulloch-county-history-meets-high-tech" Statesboro | Bulloch County: History Meets High-Tech"], ''Georgia Trend'', March 1, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2019.</ref>

GAF, the largest privately owned roofing manufacturer in North America, relocated to Statesboro in the early 21st century.<ref name="georgiatrend.com"/>

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Averitt center for the arts statesboro georgia.jpg|thumb|Averitt Center for the Arts]]
The culture of Statesboro reflects a blend of both its southern heritage and college town identity.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://cogs.georgiasouthern.edu/admission/whygeorgiasouthern.php |title=Georgia Southern – Graduate Admissions |publisher=Cogs.georgiasouthern.edu |access-date=2012-10-17}}</ref>

The city has developed a unique culture, common in many college towns, that coexists with the university students in creating an art scene, music scene and intellectual environment. Statesboro is home to numerous restaurants, bars, live music venues, bookstores and coffee shops that cater to its creative college town climate.<ref>{{cite web| title=Visit Statesboro| url=http://www.visitstatesboroga.com| publisher=Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau| access-date=31 October 2013}}</ref>
[[Image:Statesboro georgia regional library.jpg|thumb|The Statesboro Regional Library, part of the Georgia [[Public Information Network for Electronic Services|PINES library network]]]]
Statesboro's downtown was named one of eight "Renaissance Cities" by ''Georgia Trend'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.georgiatrend.com/February-2013/Georgias-Renaissance-Cities|title=Georgia's Renaissance Cities – Georgia Trend|website=Georgiatrend.com|date=February 2013}}</ref> The downtown area is currently undergoing a revitalization. The Old Bank of Statesboro and Georgia Theater have been adapted with renovation for the David H. Averitt Center for the Arts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://savannahnow.com/stories/090804/2428358.shtml |title=New arts center opens today in Statesboro : Savannah Morning News |website=Savannahnow.com |date=2004-09-08 |access-date=2012-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917004530/http://savannahnow.com/stories/090804/2428358.shtml |archive-date=2012-09-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It houses the Emma Kelly Theater, named after the local singer, known as the "Lady of 6,000 Songs".<ref name="visit-statesboro.com"/> The center also contains art studios, conference rooms and an exhibition area. Downtown Statesboro has been featured in several motion pictures including ''[[Now and Then (film)|Now and Then]]'' (1995) as well as ''[[1969 (film)|1969]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114011/locations|title=Now and Then (1995)|website=IMDb.com}}</ref>
Georgia Southern offers a variety of cultural options available both for the university and the wider community: the Georgia Southern Symphony, the Georgia Southern Planetarium, Georgia Southern Museum, and the [[Georgia Southern Botanical Garden|Botanical Gardens at Bland Cottage]].<ref>[http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/registrar/2010-2011Catalog/5964.htm "Attractions"], Georgia Southern University {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Touring groups appear at the Performing Arts Center, and also featured are shows put on by Georgia Southern students and faculty.

Mill Creek Regional Park is a large outdoor recreational facility with athletic fields and a water park, [[Splash in the Boro]].<ref>[http://attractions.uptake.com/parks/georgia/statesboro/mill_creek_regional_park_41856452.html "Mill Creek Regional Park"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009131417/http://attractions.uptake.com/parks/georgia/statesboro/mill_creek_regional_park_41856452.html |date=October 9, 2011 }}</ref>

==Sports==
[[File:Paulson stadium.jpg|thumb|[[Paulson Stadium]]]]

=== Georgia Southern Eagles ===
The [[Georgia Southern University]] [[Georgia Southern Eagles|Eagles]] field 17 varsity teams in the Division I [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)]] and are members of the [[NCAA Division I]] [[Sun Belt Conference]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.georgiasouthern.edu/at-a-glance/|title=Georgia Southern at a Glance {{!}} Newsroom {{!}} Georgia Southern University|date=2013-05-24|website=University Newsroom|language=en|access-date=2019-09-14}}</ref>

Prior to joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2014, the Eagles were members of the Trans America Athletic Conference (presently known as the [[ASUN Conference]]) and the [[Southern Conference]]. During their time at the [[NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision|Football Championship Subdivision (FCS/I-AA)]] level, the Eagles football team won an unprecedented [[NCAA Division I Football Championship|six national championships]].

=== Tormenta FC ===
[[South Georgia Tormenta FC]] fields a professional team in [[USL League One]], the third tier of the [[American Soccer Pyramid]]. The club's inaugural season was the [[2016 PDL season|2016]] season. Games are played at [[Optim Sports Medicine Field]] at Tormenta Stadium. The club won the USL League One championship in the 2022 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statesboroherald.com/local/champions-tormenta-rules-league-one/|title=Champions – Tormenta rules League One|website=stateborohearald.com|date=7 November 2022|access-date=20 December 2022}}</ref>

==Education==
===Higher education===
[[File:GSU Entrance.JPG|thumb|Sweetheart Circle on [[Georgia Southern University]]'s campus]]
[[Georgia Southern University]] is the city's principal institution of higher learning. The university, a unit of the [[University System of Georgia]] (USG), was founded as the First District Agricultural and Mechanical School in 1906 as a [[land grant college]], open only to white students. On July 1, 1990, it became the fifth university of the University System, and as of 2015 is a comprehensive residential university of nearly 20,000 students. The university's graduate programs are offered on campus, at satellite centers, and by distance and on-line delivery. For the past decade, the university has combined a capital building program with beautification of the nearly {{convert|700|acre|km2|adj=on}} campus. The university facilities include a museum of cultural and natural history, a botanical garden, and a center for wildlife education located within the campus grounds. The university's Division I athletic teams, the [[Georgia Southern Eagles]], compete in the [[Sun Belt Conference]].

Two community colleges are also located in Statesboro. [[East Georgia State College]] (EGSC), a USG institution based in nearby [[Swainsboro, Georgia|Swainsboro]], operates a satellite center within the campus of Georgia Southern. [[Ogeechee Technical College]] (OTC) is a part of the [[Technical College System of Georgia]], providing technical and adult education to area students; OTC is located on [[U.S. Route 301 in Georgia|U.S. Highway 301]] South, outside of the city limits and approximately {{convert|4|mi|km|0}} southwest of Georgia Southern's campus.

===Bulloch County School District===
The Bulloch County Board of Education runs the [[Bulloch County School District|public school district]] in Statesboro. The largest school in the city is [[Statesboro High School]]. Other public schools include Southeast Bulloch High School, William James Middle School, Langston Chapel Middle School, Southeast Bulloch Middle School, Julia P. Bryant Elementary School, Sallie Zetterower Elementary School, Mattie Lively Elementary School, Langston Chapel Elementary School, and Mill Creek Elementary School. Private schools include [[Bulloch Academy]], Trinity Christian School, and Bible Baptist Christian School. The [[Charter Conservatory for Liberal Arts and Technology]], part of the [[CCAT (public school district)|CCAT public school district]], is a charter school located within the city limits. In 2016 CCAT was renamed Statesboro STEAM – College, Careers, Arts, & Technology Academy.

==Media==
Statesboro is served by a variety of media outlets in print, radio, television, and the Internet. Statesboro Magazine is the community's premier quality of life publication. The local newspaper is the ''[[Statesboro Herald]]'', a daily with a circulation of about 6,000. Other newspapers include the ''George-Anne'' produced by [[Georgia Southern University]] students, ''Connect Statesboro'', a weekly entertainment publication, and the ''E11eventh Hour'', a twice-a-month entertainment publication. Radio stations include [[WHKN]], [[WMCD]], [[WPMX]], [[WPTB]], [[WWNS]], and [[WVGS]]. ''Statesboro Business Magazine'' offers Statesboro and area business news, articles, features, jobs, real estate listings and other area business information and reviews.

StatesboroHerald.com has received numerous state<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gapress.org/news/statesboro809.html |title=Georgia Press Association |access-date=2010-08-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722131137/http://www.gapress.org/news/statesboro809.html |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> and national awards<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inlandpress.org/articles/2010/08/24/contests/contest_results/doc4b7c1693004fa373638379.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415033143/http://www.inlandpress.org/articles/2010/08/24/contests/contest_results/doc4b7c1693004fa373638379.txt|url-status=usurped|title=Inland Press Association > Contests > Contest Results|date=15 April 2013|archive-date=15 April 2013}}</ref> from the newspaper industry for online innovation.

==Infrastructure==

===Hospitals===
* East Georgia Regional Medical Center
* [[Willingway Hospital]]

===Transportation===

====Airports====
Approximately {{convert|3|mi|0}} outside of Statesboro is the [[Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport]], which can accommodate private aircraft but does not have a [[control tower]] or commercial flights. Most travelers use the nearby [[Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport]], which is located {{convert|45|mi|km}} to the east and is served by eight commercial airlines. Statesboro is about three hours by highway from the major [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport]].

====Highways====
[[Interstate 16]] is located {{convert|10|mi|0}} to the south of Statesboro. Statesboro is also served by three [[U.S. highways]]: [[U.S. Route 301 in Georgia|U.S. Highway 301]], which runs north–south through the city, [[U.S. Route 25 in Georgia|U.S. Highway 25]], which runs northwest–south through the city, and [[U.S. Route 80 in Georgia|U.S. Highway 80]], which is the main east–west route through the city. The Veterans Memorial Parkway ([[U.S. Route 301 Bypass (Statesboro)|Highway 301 Bypass]] and Highway 25 Bypass) forms a near circle around the city.

U.S. Routes:
* [[Image:US 25.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 25 (Georgia)|U.S. Route 25]]
* [[Image:US 80.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 80 (Georgia)|U.S. Route 80]]
* [[Image:US 301.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 301 (Georgia)|U.S. Route 301]]

State Routes:
* [[Image:Georgia 24.svg|20px]] [[Georgia State Route 24|State Route 24]]
* [[Image:Georgia 26.svg|20px]] [[Georgia State Route 26|State Route 26]]
* [[Image:Georgia 67.svg|20px]] [[Georgia State Route 67|State Route 67]]

====Pedestrians and cycling====
* S&S Greenway Trail

====Rail====
Rail service for freight is provided by [[Norfolk Southern Railway]].

==Notable people==
{{alumni|residents|date=September 2017}}
* [[Jason Childers]] (born 1975), [[Major League Baseball]] [[relief pitcher]]
* [[Berry Avant Edenfield]], United States District Court judge and Georgia State Senator
* [[Dale Eggeling]] (born 1954), golfer, winner of three [[LPGA]] Tour events
* [[Sutton Foster]] (born 1975), [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] star, two-time [[Tony Award]] winner
* [[Joey Hamilton]] (born 1970), retired [[Major League Baseball]] player
* [[Margie Hendrix]] (1935–1973), singer of Ray Charles Robinson Raelettes, member of [[The Cookies]] girl group, solo recording artist
* [[Justin Houston]] (born 1989), linebacker for the [[Kansas City Chiefs]]
* [[Emma Kelly]] (1918–2001), pianist
* [[Sharma Lewis]] (born 1963), African American United Methodist bishop<ref>{{Cite web|title=Statesboros Sharma Lewis makes history|url=https://www.statesboroherald.com/local/statesboros-sharma-lewis-makes-history/|access-date=2020-12-02|website=www.statesboroherald.com}}</ref>
* [[Dylan Marlowe]] (born 1999), American [[country music]] singer
* [[Danny McBride]] (born 1976), actor, ''[[Pineapple Express (film)|Pineapple Express]]'', ''[[Eastbound & Down]]'', ''[[The Righteous Gemstones]]''
* [[Jeremy Mincey]] (born 1983), defensive end for [[Dallas Cowboys]]
* [[Blind Willie McTell]] (1901–1959), blues musician, composed "[[Statesboro Blues]]"<ref>
{{cite book
| last = Bastin
| first = Bruce
| title = Red River Blues: The Blues Tradition in the Southeast
| publisher = University of Illinois Press
| year = 1995
| page = [https://archive.org/details/redriverblues00bruc/page/129 129]
| isbn = 978-0-252-06521-7
| url = https://archive.org/details/redriverblues00bruc/page/129
| quote = "Statesboro, Georgia was my real home." McTell to [[John Lomax]] in 1940 interview
}}</ref>
* [[Adrian Peterson (American football, born 1979)|Adrian Peterson]] (born 1979), former running back for [[Chicago Bears]], Walter Payton Award winner who earned degree from [[Georgia Southern University]] in 2001 and helped win 1999 and 2000 National Championships
* [[Marty Pevey]] (born 1961), current manager of [[Iowa Cubs]], Triple A affiliate of [[Chicago Cubs]]
* [[Commander (United States)|Commander]] [[William M. Rigdon]], USN (1904–1991), assistant Naval Aide in White House, 1942–53; served throughout   [[Presidency of Harry S. Truman]]
* [[John Rocker]], Major League baseball relief pitcher
* [[Erk Russell]] (1926–2006), college football coach
* [[Lindsay Thomas (politician)|Lindsay Thomas]], lived in Statesboro while serving in the [[United States House of Representatives]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Barone |first1=Michael |author-link1=Michael Barone (pundit) |last2=Ujifusa |first2=Grant |title=[[The Almanac of American Politics|The Almanac of American Politics 1988]]|work=[[National Journal]] |year=1987 |page=291}}</ref>
* [[DeAngelo Tyson]] (born 1989), defensive end, Baltimore Ravens
* [[Rashad Wright]] (born 1982), basketball point guard
* [[Freddie "BearCat" Wilkerson]] (1941–1978), Professional Wrestler

==Points of interest==
* [[Georgia Southern Botanical Garden]]
* [[Georgia Southern University]]
* [[J. I. Clements Stadium]]
* [[Mill Creek Recreational Park]]
* [[Paulson Stadium]]
* [[Splash in the Boro]]
* [[Statesboro Mall]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.statesboroga.gov/ City of Statesboro official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080905133601/http://statesboro.georgia.gov/ Statesboro] at Georgia.gov
* [http://www.visit-statesboro.com/ Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130720160412/http://statesboro360.com/ Statesboro 360], events and entertainment listings
* [http://www.averittcenterforthearts.org/ Averitt Center for the Arts]
* [http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/wildlife/ Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q. Ball Raptor Center]
* [http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/ Georgia Southern University]
* [https://www.redfernplantation.com/ Red Fern Plantation]
* [http://cdm16688.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/myfirst Historic Statesboro Photographs Collection] from [[Georgia Southern University]]
* [http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/historical_markers/county/bulloch/first-baptist-church-of-statesboro First Baptist Church of Statesboro] historical marker
* [http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/historical_markers/county/bulloch/1804-new-hope-methodist-church New Hope Methodist Church] historical marker

{{Bulloch County, Georgia}}
{{Georgia county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Statesboro, Georgia| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Bulloch County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Cities in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:County seats in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1803]]
[[Category:1803 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]