Covington, Georgia

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Covington is a city in the U.S. state of Georgia and the seat of Newton County,<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> and is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, its population was 14,192.

History

Covington was founded by European immigrants to the United States. It was incorporated in 1821 as the seat of the newly organized Newton County.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Covington was named for United States Army Brigadier General and United States Congressman Leonard Covington,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> a hero of the War of 1812. The settlement grew with the advent of the railroad in 1845. Covington incorporated as a city in 1854.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In 1864, General Sherman's troops marched through during their March to the Sea. Although they looted the city, destroying numerous buildings, several antebellum homes were spared.

Historic districts

The Covington Historic District and the North Covington Historic District within the city are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The maps and materials describing these two districts are available for review through City Hall. The Covington Historic District contains Floyd Street and the downtown square. The North Covington Historic District contains North Emory Street and Odum Street as its hub. Both districts have an ordinance to preserve their character, regulating changes proposed for properties, and special permits may be required.

The Covington Mill Village is also a vital part of local history. The Starrsville Historic District, site of the historic settlement of Starrsville, is in the exurban area around Covington. The Newton County Courthouse, brick store, and Salem campground are separately NRHP-listed.<ref name=nris/>

Geography

Covington is located in north central Georgia, in the eastern part of Metro Atlanta. Interstate 20 runs to the north of the city, with access from exits 90, 92, and 93. Via I-20, downtown Atlanta is Template:Convert west, and Augusta is Template:Convert east. U.S. Route 278 also runs through the city, leading east Template:Convert to Rutledge and northwest Template:Convert to Conyers, concurrent with I-20. Other highways that run through the city include Georgia State Routes 36, 81, and 142.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (0.72%) is water.

Climate

Template:Weather box

Demographics

Template:US Census population

**Covington city, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition**
Template:Nobold
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	% 2010	Template:Partial
White alone (NH)	5,919	5,517	45.12%	38.87%
Black or African American alone (NH)	6,140	7,069	46.81%	49.81%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	26	28	0.20%	0.20%
Asian alone (NH)	87	126	0.66%	0.89%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)	10	19	0.08%	0.13%
Other race alone (NH)	23	86	0.18%	0.61%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	190	444	1.45%	3.13%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	723	903	5.51%	6.36%
Total	13,118	14,192	100.00%	100.00%

As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 11,547 people, 4,261 households, and 2,906 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 4,542 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 51.55% White, 45.54% Black, 0.18% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.87% of the population.

There were 4,261 households, out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 23.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,997, and the median income for a family was $36,408. Males had a median income of $29,622 versus $23,339 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,554. About 14.8% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.7% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Newton County School District

The Newton County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of fourteen elementary schools, five middle schools, three high schools, an elementary theme school, and a charter school. The district has 853 full-time teachers and 13,681 students.<ref>School Stats, Retrieved July 8, 2016.</ref>

Private education

Grace Christian Academy
Montessori School of Covington
Providence Classical Christian School
Peachtree Academy
Covington Academy
Point of Grace Christian School
First Baptist Academy

Higher education

Georgia Piedmont Technical College - Covington Campus<ref>Dekalb Technical College Template:Webarchive, Retrieved June 24, 2010.</ref>
Perimeter College at Georgia State University - Newton County Campus<ref>Georgia Perimeter College- Newton Campus Template:Webarchive, Retrieved June 24, 2010.</ref>
Emory University - Oxford Campus<ref>Oxford College of Emory University, Retrieved June 24, 2010.</ref>

Tourism events

Gaither's Plantation hosts a Fall Festival every year.
The Satsuki Garden Club conducts tours of historic houses in Covington every other Christmas.
The Vampire Diaries, Mystic Falls Tours<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Economy

Archer Aviation's Midnight eVTOL air taxi is set to be manufactured in Covington by carmaker Stellantis (merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>