County Seat: Douglasville
Population: 98,627
Median Income: $52,103
Average List Price, 2003 $166,014
Average Sale Price, 2003 $164,765
Median 2-Bdr. Apt. Rental: $810
Sales Tax: 6% (up to 7% in July 2002)
Property Tax: $29.83-34.41/ per $1000 of assessed value
Travel Time: Hartsfield Intl. Airport: 25 minutes
Downtown Atlanta: 20 minutes
Cities/Geographic Areas: Douglasville, Lithia Springs
Web Site:
www.douglascountygeorgia.com
Located about 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta via I-20, Douglas County is a peaceful area named after Senator Stephen Douglas, the presidential candidate who debated Abraham Lincoln before the Civil War. The county was created in 1870 by legislative act, after it suffered the loss of its main industry when the water powered cotton and yarn factory was burned by Union General W. T. Sherman. The hull of the brick building still stands today at the site of what is now Sweetwater Creek State Park. Other attractions are the Annie Clinton Nature Preserve in Douglasville, and the Cultural Arts Center with first-rate performances and quality art exhibits. Douglas County which just got its own major shopping mall in late 1999, is seeing some growth as newcomers are attracted to the pastoral quiet and strong sense of community.
SCHOOLS
School Information
Board of Education (770) 920-4000
Private Schools (K-12)
Harvester Christian Academy (770) 942-1583
Kings Way Christian (770) 949-0812
Lithia Christian Academy (770) 941-5406
Universal Faith Kingdom Academy (770) 947-2042
Water of Life Christian Academy (770) 942-7702
Colleges and Technical Schools
Carroll Technical Institute (770) 836-6800
Mercer University College (770) 986-3200
State University of West Georgia (770) 836-6416
TAG AND LICENSE
Douglas County Tag Office (770) 949-2309
Georgia State Patrol (770) 459-3661
UTILITIES
Electricity
Georgia Power (404) 325-4001
Gas
Choose A Supplier (877) GASCHOICE
Austell Gas System (770) 948-1841
Telephone
Bellsouth (770) 780-2355 or (800) 356-3094
Water
Douglas County Water Authority (770) 949-7615
RECREATION
The Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department, and the city of Douglasville Parks and Recreation Department operate various parks with a variety of facilities for children and adults. Parks within the county include Hunter Park, Deerlick Park, and Sweetwater Creek State Park.
DOUGLASVILLE, population 17,500 - once a sleepy rural town, Douglasville is experiencing the growth which is common to all of the metro area. A new regional mall was completed in late 1999 and new subdivision development continues as newcomers are attracted to the scenic beauty and quiet, friendly lifestyle. Douglasville still offers the charm of a small southern town, yet is very accessible to the amenities of the large urban Atlanta area.
LITHIA SPRINGS, population 3,200 - Lithia Springs is also experiencing growth as newcomers seek homesites that have rural ambiance and proximity to downtown Atlanta. From 1880 to 1912 Lithia Springs was a resort attracting such famous people as the Astors, Whitneys, and Vanderbilts to Sweetwater Park Hotel. This elegant hotel resort had 16 acres of elaborately landscaped grounds which surrounded a spring-fed, man-made lake. The hotel which featured indoor spas and steam rooms whose natural mineral waters were reputed to have healing properties, was advertised as the most sumptuous summer hotel in the South.