The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850, 71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
229-649-6397
tjournal@alltel.net
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If you’re looking for a home in a place that offers quiet country living, a caring community, and one of the best school systems in Southwest Georgia, then Buena Vista-Marion County is the place for you!
Marion County is proud of its rural roots and clings to its small-town friendliness and tradition, but is also a progressive, growing community.
Not far from Columbus-Muscogee County, it is being discovered more and more by people who opt for a short, relaxing commute to work through the countryside while enjoying all the benefits of country living -- affordable land & a lower cost of living, relaxation, the beauty of nature, hunting & fishing, friendly neighbors, quality schools, and recreational opportunities for kids and adults.
... Of course, if you want to skip the commute, it’s also a great place for entrepreneurs to start businesses to serve the growing community.
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Population grew by 28% during last decade; Per capita income rose 23% in last 5 years
Marion County is still very much a rural area, but enough new residents have moved in over the last 10 years to make it one of the fastest growing counties in the state. The county’s population grew by 28 percent from 1990 to 2000 (up from 5,583 to 7,186). The county is also projected to grow by almost nine percent in 2005. Recent trends, including the expansion of nearby Fort Benning, may cause experts to increase that projection considerably.
CENSUS TOTALS
Marion County had 5,583 residents in 1990, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That number had grown to 6,501 by 1995, and to 7,186 by 2000. The county’s population is projected to be 7,827 in 2005, and 8,606 in 2010.
PERSONS PER SQUARE MILE
Despite the rapid population growth, the “Persons per Square Mile” statistic shows that local residents indeed still enjoy “life in the country.” In 2000, there were about 20 residents per square mile. That ranks Marion at No. 147 out of the state’s 159 counties, so only a dozen counties have a more “spread out” population.
VETERANS
There is a good reason Marion County residents seem to be very patriotic, as almost 17 percent of local residents 18-years-old or older are veterans of the U.S. military. That percentage ranks Marion at No. 15 out of the state’s 159 counties, so Marion has a higher percentage of veterans than 144 other counties. The county had a total of 852 veterans in 2000, according the U.S. Census Bureau.
ETHNICITY
In 2000, there were 2,465 African-American residents of Marion County, which made up about 34 percent of the total population. There were 4,347 Caucasian residents (60 percent of the total). Hispanic and other races (mostly Hispanic) made up the remaining six percent of the population.
COUNTY SEAT
There were 1,475 people living in Buena Vista in
NATIVITY AND BIRTH PLACES
In 2000, approximately 95 percent of Marion County residents were born in the United States of America, with 71 percent also being born in Georgia. All but around 4.2 percent of local residents are U.S. citizens.
AGES OF RESIDENTS
In 2000, the median age of Marion County residents was 35-years-old.
Approximately 28 percent of county residents were under the age of 18. Around 11 percent were 65 or older.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
The economic state of Marion County also appears to be improving steadily; as per capita income has risen by 23 percent over the past five years. In addition, retail sales increased by 14 percent from 2000 to 2001 and were projected to increase at a rate of 27 percent over the next five years.
Per Capita Income
In 2000, Marion County’s per capita personal income was $16,274. The county’s per capita income has risen each of the last five years — from $13,233 in 1995. That represents in increase of 23 percent over the last five years. That put Marion’s rate of increase above 92 other counties.
Household Income
In 1999, Marion County median household income was $29,145. That was an increase of $3,790 per household from the previous year. The largest group of households (33% or 882 households) earned between $25,000 and $50,000. There were 547 households (20%) that earned between $50,000 and $100,000.
Retail Sales
In 2001, Marion County retail businesses had $55.38 million in sales. That was an increase of 14% over the previous year. Furthermore, local retail businesses are projected to increase sales by 27 percent over the next five years (according to the 2002 Georgia County Guide published by the University of Georgia).
