Calhoun is a city located in Gordon County, Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 10,667. The city is the county seat of Gordon County.
Calhoun is located at 34°29'60" North, 84°56'33" West (34.499898, -84.942584), along the Oostanaula River. Calhoun is located along U.S. Interstate 75, aproxamately 70 miles north of Atlanta, GA, and 50 miles south of Chattanooga, TN.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.2 km2 (11.7 mi2). 30.2 km2 (11.6 mi2) of it is land and 0.1 km2 (0.04 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 0.17% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 10,667 people, 4,049 households, and 2,672 families residing in the city. The population density is 353.5/km2 (915.4/mi2). There are 4,298 housing units at an average density of 142.4/km2 (368.8/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 77.91% White, 7.56% African American, 0.42% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 11.61% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. 17.07% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,049 households out of which 30.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% are married couples living together, 13.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% are non-families. 28.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.56 and the average family size is 3.07.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $33,618, and the median income for a family is $42,310. Males have a median income of $27,616 versus $25,018 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,887. 16.8% of the population and 12.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.8% of those under the age of 18 and 19.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Calhoun is a home of New Echota Historic Site, a museum of Cherokee Nation capital, and Oakleigh, the home of the Gordon County Historical Society used to be General Sherman's Headquarter.
Calhoun was a part of the Cherokee Nation (including New Echota, captial of theirs) until December 29, 1835, when the Cherokees refused to give up their lands, the U.S. Army was sent by President Jackson to the northern region of Georgia to force them to move to Oklahoma (see more information on Trail of Tears).
After the Cherokees left their lands, Georgia claimed the Cherokee lands that became Gordon County and other counties. A small town called Dawsonville was created and founded in the Gordon County, named for the owner of an early general store, one of first owners. Dawnsonville was later renamed Calhoun to honor U.S. Senator John C. Calhoun following his death in 1850 as one of greatest and honorable Southerns.
Gordon County's inferior court called an election to allow the voters to choose between a site on the Western & Atlantic Railroad (involving Adairsville) or a site more centrally located within the county instead of designating the location of the county seat unlike other counties. Voters chose a site along the railroad, so the inferior court designated Calhoun as county seat in 1851. The legislature incorporated Calhoun in an act approved on January 12, 1852 (See Ga. Laws 1851-52, page 419 as a evidence).
In January 5, 1861, Georgia was seceded from the Union which brought the news to Calhoun as Calhounians joined the Confederacy during the American Civil War. On May 16, 1864, Calhoun was near the center of action as Union General William Tecumseh Sherman and Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston postured before the outbreak of the Battle of Adairsville during Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. Oakliegh, home of Dr. Wall was saved and used by Sherman as the headquarter this time.
Source:
CalhounGeorgia.com
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