Editing Vidalia, Georgia

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
|name                     = Vidalia, Georgia
|official_name            = City of Vidalia
|other_name               = 
|native_name              = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|nickname                 = 
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|motto                    = "The Sweet Onion City"<ref>{{cite web|url=   http://www.vidaliaga.com/|title= The City of Vidalia, Georgia|publisher= The City of Vidalia, Georgia |access-date= September 5, 2012}}</ref>

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|image_skyline            = Vidalia Municipal Building.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Vidalia Municipal Building (2015)
|image_flag               = Flag of Vidalia, Georgia.png
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|image_seal               = Seal of Vidalia, Georgia.png
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|image_map                = Toombs_County_Georgia_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Vidalia_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Toombs County, Georgia|Toombs County]] and the U.S. state of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
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|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)|Counties]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Toombs County, Georgia|Toombs]], [[Montgomery County, Georgia|Montgomery]]
|subdivision_type3        = 
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|established_title        = <!-- Settled -->
|established_date         = 
|established_title2       = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
|established_date2        = January 1, 1890
|established_title3       = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
|established_date3        = 
<!-- Area    --------------------->
|area_magnitude           = 
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022">{{cite web |title=2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Georgia |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2022_Gazetteer/2022_gaz_place_13.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=January 30, 2023}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 47.29
|area_land_km2            = 46.33
|area_water_km2           = 0.96
|area_total_sq_mi         = 18.26
|area_land_sq_mi          = 17.89
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.37
|area_water_percent       = 
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<!-- Population   ----------------------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US1379388&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Vidalia city, Georgia: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=January 30, 2023}}</ref>
|population_note          = 
|population_total         = 10785
|pop_est_as_of = 
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|population_est = 
|population_density_km2   = 232.77
|population_density_sq_mi = 602.88
|population_metro         = 35640
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<!-- General information  --------------->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|coordinates              = {{coord|32|12|55|N|82|24|36|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
|elevation_m              = 91
|elevation_ft             = 299
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
|postal_code              = 30474-30475
|area_code                = [[Area code 912|912]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 13-79388<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              = 0324704<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.vidaliaga.com}}
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Vidalia''' ({{IPAc-en|v|aɪ|ˈ|d|eɪ|l|i|ə}}  [[Help:Pronunciation respelling key|''vye-DAYL-yə'']], {{IPAc-en|local|-|ˈ|d|eɪ|j|ə}} {{respell|-|DAY|yə}}) is a city located primarily in [[Toombs County, Georgia|Toombs County]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], United States. The city also extends very slightly into [[Montgomery County, Georgia|Montgomery County]].<ref>{{cite web|url=  http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=8265| title= Profile for Vidalia, Georgia, GA|publisher= ePodunk |access-date= September 5, 2012}}</ref> As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the city population was 10,785.<ref name="Census 2020"/>

Vidalia is the principal city of the Vidalia [[Vidalia micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]], a [[United States micropolitan area|micropolitan area]] that covers Montgomery and Toombs counties,<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070629011245/http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/List5.txt MICROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS AND COMPONENTS]}}, [[Office of Management and Budget]], 2007-05-11.  Accessed 2008-07-27.</ref> and had a combined population of 35,640 at the 2020 census.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=310XX00US47080| title=P1. Race – Vidalia, GA Micro Area: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=January 30, 2023}}</ref>

== Description and history ==
The town was incorporated on January 1, 1890.<ref name=gov>{{cite web|url= http://georgia.gov/cities-counties/vidalia|title= Vidalia|website= Georgia.gov |access-date= September 5, 2012}}</ref> It is the largest city in Toombs County, but it is not the [[county seat]].<ref name="Vidalia">{{cite web|url= http://www.dca.state.ga.us/cityscapes/comm.asp?D=1&city=Vidalia&YRID=|title= Vidalia|publisher= Georgia Department of Community Affairs |access-date= September 5, 2012}}</ref> The original name for the town was "Jenkins Station", after a local landowner, Warren T. Jenkins.<ref name="name_history">{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/counties-cities-neighborhoods/toombs-county/|title="Toombs County"|encyclopedia=New Georgia Encyclopedia|access-date=November 2, 2021}}</ref> Although several origins for the town's modern name have been suggested, it was most likely given by a daughter of Samuel Hawkins, the president of the Savannah, Americus and Montgomery Railroad (later the S.A.M shortline),<ref name="name_history"/> though which of his four daughters suggested the name, or how she came to it, is not known.

Like many towns in the region, Vidalia grew up around a [[rail yard]] that served farmers in the area who grew such crops as [[pecan]]s and [[tobacco]]. The [[Vidalia onion|area's famous onions]]<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.vidaliaonion.org/about_us| title= About Us| website= VidaliaOnion.org| publisher= The Vidalia® Onion Committee| access-date= March 17, 2016| quote= 'Vidalia onions aren't just the most famous onions in the world; I think they may be the only famous onions in the world.' —Chef [[Bobby Flay]]| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160316120108/http://www.vidaliaonion.org/about_us| archive-date= March 16, 2016| url-status= dead}}</ref> were not an important [[crop]] until much later.

From 1952 to 1956, Vidalia was home to the [[Vidalia Indians]], a Class D [[minor league baseball]] affiliate of the [[Cleveland Indians]]. Vidalia played in the [[Georgia State League]] and won the 1953 League Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Vidalia&state=GA&country=US|title = Vidalia, Georgia Encyclopedia}}</ref>

In the 1950s, [[Piggly Wiggly]] grocery stores opened a distribution center in Vidalia, bringing with it a large influx of jobs as well as railroad business.  At that time, Vidalia served as an interchange junction between the [[Seaboard Air Line Railroad]] and the [[Georgia and Florida Railroad (1926–1963)|Georgia and Florida]]. For this, a large seven-track yard was constructed, as well as a sizable engine servicing facility and interchange yard. The latter, smaller interchange yard is still in use to some degree by the [[Georgia Central Railway]], while the larger yard was removed sometime in the 1970s. [[Dot Foods]] currently occupies most of the old Piggly Wiggly distribution center, with smaller companies leasing space.

==Geography==
Vidalia is located in northwestern Toombs County at {{Coord|32|12|55|N|82|24|36|W|type:city}} (32.215305, -82.410086).<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 westernmost part of the city is in northeastern Montgomery County.

The city is located along [[U.S. Route 280]], which runs east–west through the center of town. U.S. 280 leads east {{convert|6|mi|0}} to [[Lyons, Georgia|Lyons]], the Toombs [[county seat]], and southwest {{convert|12|mi|0}} to [[Mount Vernon, Georgia|Mount Vernon]], the Montgomery county seat. Other highways that run through the city include Georgia State Routes [[Georgia State Route 15|15]], [[Georgia State Route 130|130]], [[Georgia State Route 292|292]], and [[Georgia State Route 297|297]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Vidalia has a total area of {{convert|18.3|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|17.9|sqmi|km2}} are land and {{convert|0.4|sqmi|1}}, or 2.03%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022"/> The city is drained to the south by Rocky Creek and to the north by Swift Creek; both are part of the [[Ohoopee River]] watershed.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 503
|1910= 1776
|1920= 2860
|1930= 3585
|1940= 4109
|1950= 5819
|1960= 7569
|1970= 9507
|1980= 10393
|1990= 11078
|2000= 10491
|2010= 10473
|2020= 10785
|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"
|+Vidalia racial composition as of 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1379388&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-18|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|5,168
|47.92%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|4,556
|42.24%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|16
|0.15%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|152
|1.41%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|2
|0.02%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|296
|2.74%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|595
|5.52%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 10,785 people, 4,042 households, and 2,499 families residing in the city.[[Image:20100119 0579VidaliaGA.JPG|thumb|left|Vidalia (left) and Vidalia Regional Airport (right)]]

== Economy ==
Vidalia has a mixed economy, but its largest industry is agriculture. Since 1931, Granex onions grown in and near Vidalia have been licensed and sold internationally as [[Vidalia onion]]s. In 1986, the Vidalia Onion Trademark Act granted a state trademark and protection on the onions of the Vidalia and [[Toombs County, Georgia|Toombs County]] area. The 1989 Federal Marketing Order #955 of the USDA [[Agricultural Marketing Service]] gave the growers and handlers the legal rights to establish the Vidalia Onion Committee, and it granted U.S. federal protection of the onion's name and production.

=== Onions ===
Vidalia is best known for its "sweet" onions. The [[Vidalia onion]] was first produced about 1931 when a farmer named Mose Coleman discovered that the onions he produced were sweeter than other onions. Other farmers started growing the same crop, and in the 1940s the Vidalia onion became an item sold to tourists.

Vidalia onion growers have protected their brand, and today all onions labelled Vidalia must be grown in one of thirteen different counties in Georgia or in specific portions of seven other counties. Because of their taste and reputation, they are able to command an increased price in the marketplace.

In 1990, the Vidalia onion was named as the official vegetable of the state of Georgia.

==Arts and culture==

===Annual cultural events===
Each spring Vidalia holds a world-famous Vidalia Onion Festival. The event lasts for five days and draws in many tourists with its wide variety of activities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vidaliaonionfestival.com/|title=Home|website=Vidalia Onion Festival}}</ref>

===Museums and other points of interest===
The Altama Gallery is a museum of history and art located inside the restored Brazell House.<ref name="Vidalia"/>

The Vidalia Onion Museum provides guests with an interactive, historical experience. The {{convert|1300|sqft}} space is filled with an array of education exhibits that highlight the sweet onion's economic, cultural and culinary significance. Located at 100 Vidalia Sweet Onion Drive.<ref>Vidalia Onion Museum rack card, author, Vidalia Convention & Visitors Bureau</ref>

== Education ==

===Public schools===
[[Image:Vidalia.JPG|thumb|right|280px|Vidalia welcome sign]]
Vidalia Public Schools are part of the [[Vidalia City School District]]. The school district holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school.<ref>[http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ReportingFW.aspx?PageReq=111&PID=62&PTID=69&CountyId=793&T=0&FY=2009 Georgia Board of Education]{{dead link|date=July 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Retrieved June 28, 2010.</ref> The district has 144 full-time teachers and over 2,408 students.<ref>[http://www.school-stats.com/GA/TOOMBS/VIDALIA_CITY.html School Stats], Retrieved June 28, 2010.</ref>
*J.D. Dickerson Primary School<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://dickerson.ga.vcp.schoolinsites.com/ | title=J.D. Dickerson Primary School }}</ref>
*Sally Dailey Meadows Elementary School<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://meadows.ga.vce.schoolinsites.com/ | title=Sally Dailey Meadows Elementary School}}</ref>
*J.R. Trippe Middle School<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://trippe.ga.vcm.schoolinsites.com/ | title=J.R. Trippe Middle School}}</ref>
*Vidalia Comprehensive High School<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://vidalia.ga.vch.schoolinsites.com/ | title=Vidalia Comprehensive High School}}</ref>
*Edward D Phillips Special Education Center.

===Private===
* The [[Paul Anderson (weightlifter)|Paul Anderson]] Youth Home offers faith-based accredited preparatory education and substance abuse treatment to at-risk youth.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.payh.org/our-program/ |title=Our Troubled Youth Home Program &#124; Paul Anderson Youth Home |access-date=2019-03-26 |archive-date=2019-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326093944/https://www.payh.org/our-program/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Vidalia Heritage Academy provides development of character and academic excellence from a Christian perspective in a Christian environment for Preschool, Elementary School, and Middle/High School youth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vidaliaheritageacademy.com/|title=Vidalia Heritage Academy|website=Vidalia Heritage Academy}}</ref>

==Notable people==<!--consensus reached to standardize this heading per WP:WikiProject Cities/US Guideline -->
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*[[Paul Anderson (weightlifter)|Paul Anderson]], Olympic weightlifter and strongman; founder of Paul Anderson Youth Home in Vidalia<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.payh.org/history/|title = History of Paul Anderson}}</ref>
*[[Mel Blount]], former [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] [[defensive back]], five-time Pro Bowler and [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] inductee; born in Vidalia<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?player_id=30|title= Hall of Famers: Mel Blount|publisher= The Official Site of the Pro FootballHall of Fame |access-date= September 5, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Paul Claxton]], [[professional golfer]]; born in Vidalia<ref>{{cite web|url=  http://www.pgatour.com/golfers/012826/paul-claxton/|title=  Paul Claxton|publisher=  PA Tour, Inc.|access-date=  September 5, 2012|archive-url=  https://web.archive.org/web/20121007110717/http://www.pgatour.com/golfers/012826/paul-claxton/|archive-date=  October 7, 2012|url-status=  dead|df=  mdy-all}}
</ref>
*[[Don Harris (journalist)|Don Harris]], [[NBC News]] correspondent killed during Jonestown Massacre; born in Vidalia<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dfwretroplex.com/don.html|title=Tribute to Don Harris|last=Shannon|first=Mike|website=DFW Retroplex.com|access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref>
*[[Carl Simpson]], football player; born in Vidalia<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=SIMPSCAR01|title= Carl Simpson|publisher= databaseFootball.com|access-date= September 5, 2012|url-status= usurped|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121004215737/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=SIMPSCAR01|archive-date= October 4, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Fred Stokes]], [[defensive end]] who played ten seasons in [[National Football League]]; born in Vidalia<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StokFr20.htm|title= Fred Stokes
|publisher= Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date= September 5, 2012}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}} <!-- for current and future use if material is uploaded -->
* {{Official website|www.vidaliaga.com}}
* [http://vidalia.georgia.gov/05/home/0,2230,8480204,00.html City of Vidalia entry] from the State of Georgia government portal
* [http://www.vidaliaarea.com/ Vidalia Convention & Visitors Bureau]
* [http://www.vidaliaonion.org/ Vidalia Onion official website]
* [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704123604575323433042544568?mod=WSJ_hps_RIGHTTopCarousel_1#articleTabs=article The Wall Street Journal - "The Onion's Best Friend Is an Ogre"]

{{Montgomery County, Georgia}}
{{Toombs County, Georgia}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Montgomery County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Cities in Toombs County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Vidalia, Georgia, micropolitan area]]