Thomson, incorporated February 15, 1854, is a city in McDuffie County, Georgia, United States. The population was 6,828 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of McDuffie County. Thomson's nickname is "The Camellia City of the South", in honor of the thousands of camellia plants throughout the city.

Geography

Thomson is located at (33.467346, -82.499450).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.95 square miles (10.2 km²)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,828 people, 2,609 households, and 1,792 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,726.9 people per square mile (667.4/km²). There were 2,895 housing units at an average density of 732.2/sq mi (283.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 42.38% White, 56.28% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.

There were 2,609 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.7% were married couples living together, 28.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 28.2% 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 2.50 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 81.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,179, and the median income for a family was $30,015. Males had a median income of $25,882 versus $20,607 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,976. 27.6% of the population and 23.8% of families were below the poverty line. 1.7% of those under the age of 18 and 100% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Landmarks

Rock House (1785) - oldest stone residence in Georgia.

Schools

• J.A. Maxwell Elementary School
• Thomson Elementary School
• R.L. Norris Elementary School
• Thomson Middle School
• Thomson McDuffie Junior High School
• Thomson High School

Famous residents

• Zebedee Armstrong - outsider artist
• Alberta Davis - claimant to "oldest living American" title since 2001; claimed to have lived to be "...around 125"; however, this claim could never be confirmed.
• Ray Guy - NFL punter for the Oakland Raiders and namesake of the Ray Guy Award, presented each year to college football's top punter.
• Admiral Richard E. Hawes - WWII naval hero and namesake of guided missile frigate USS Hawes.
• Eddie Lee Ivery - Running back for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Green Bay Packers.
• Millie Jackson - R & B singer
• Franklin Langham - PGA Tour golfer (1992-present)
• Blind Willie McTell - Noted singer and blues musician, wrote "Statesboro Blues". Thomson sponsors an annual blues festival in his honor.
• Chris Mohr - NFL punter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons (1989-2004); published songwriter.
• Ken Roberson - Broadway choreographer noted for his work in the 2004 Tony Award winning "Avenue Q" and "All Shook Up." Movie credits as choreographer include: HBO's "Lackawanna Blues" and Independent film "Preaching to the Choir."
• Tom Watson - U.S. Senator and renowned orator of the late 19th century. Noted for establishing Rural Free Delivery, which set up rural mail service for the nation.

References

External links