Cordele, Georgia

Cordele, Georgia
City
Cordele City Hall
Cordele City Hall
Flag of Cordele, Georgia
Flag
Official logo of Cordele, Georgia
Logo
Nickname: 
Watermelon Capital of the World
Motto: 
Gateway to South Georgia[1]
Location of Cordele in Georgia (left) and in Crisp County, Georgia (right)
Location of Cordele in Georgia (left) and in Crisp County, Georgia (right)
Coordinates: 31°57′51″N 83°46′38″W / 31.96417°N 83.77722°W / 31.96417; -83.77722
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyCrisp
Area
[3]
 • Total
10.51 sq mi (27.21 km2)
 • Land10.42 sq mi (26.99 km2)
 • Water0.085 sq mi (0.22 km2)
Elevation
315 ft (96 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
10,220
 • Density980.6/sq mi (378.61/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
31010, 31015
Area code229
FIPS code13-19616[4]
GNIS feature ID0312971[5]
Websitewww.cityofcordele.com

Cordele is a city in and the county seat of Crisp County, Georgia, United States.[6] The population was 11,165 at the 2010 census,[7] and 10,220 in 2020.

Cordele calls itself the watermelon capital of the world.[8]

History

19th century

Cordele was incorporated on January 1, 1888,[2] and named for Cordelia Hawkins, eldest daughter of Colonel Samuel Hawkins, the president of the Savannah, Americus and Montgomery Railway.[9]

In November 1864, the area that is now Cordele served as the temporary capital of Georgia. During the last days of the Confederacy, Georgia's war governor Joseph E. Brown used his rural farmhouse to escape Sherman's March to the Sea. During that time, the farmhouse, which Brown called "Dooly County Place," served as the official capital for only a few days. It was replaced in 1890 by the Suwanee Hotel, located in what became downtown Cordele. The hotel was destroyed by a fire in late 1994 and was rebuilt.

Cordele was founded in 1888 by J.E.D. Shipp of Americus. The town was located at the junction of two major railroads – the Savannah, Americus & Montgomery line, and the Georgia Southern & Florida. As the railroads brought more people and business to the newly settled territory, Cordele experienced phenomenal growth. Before 1905 Cordele was located in southern Dooly County, 9 miles (14 km) from the county seat in Vienna.

20th century

With Cordele's continued progress, many in the community felt the need for a seat of government to be closer than Vienna. Crisp County was formed in 1905 by taking a portion of southern Dooly County, and Cordele became its county seat.

By 1915, Cordele was home to several industries including an ice-making plant, mills for processing cotton products into cloth and oil, a fertilizer factory, and other small manufacturing outfits.[10]

By August 1930, Cordele housed the Crisp County Hydroelectric System, the first county-owned electric system. Located on the Flint River, the hydroelectric plant continues to operate, and the resulting Lake Blackshear has attracted residents to its waterfront properties.

On April 2, 1936, a tornado struck Cordele, killing 23 people.

Geography

Cordele is located north of the center of Crisp County.[11]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Cordele has a total area of 10.2 square miles (26.5 km2), of which 10.2 square miles (26.3 km2) is land and 0.077 square miles (0.2 km2), or 0.82%, is water.[7]

Climate

Cordele has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa), with mild winters and hot, humid summers.

Climate data for Cordele, Georgia (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1892–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 84
(29) 		85
(29) 		90
(32) 		96
(36) 		100
(38) 		106
(41) 		104
(40) 		104
(40) 		101
(38) 		99
(37) 		89
(32) 		83
(28) 		106
(41)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 59.1
(15.1) 		63.3
(17.4) 		70.7
(21.5) 		78.4
(25.8) 		85.9
(29.9) 		90.8
(32.7) 		93.0
(33.9) 		91.6
(33.1) 		87.0
(30.6) 		78.6
(25.9) 		68.6
(20.3) 		60.7
(15.9) 		77.3
(25.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 36.5
(2.5) 		39.5
(4.2) 		45.6
(7.6) 		53.0
(11.7) 		61.7
(16.5) 		69.2
(20.7) 		71.7
(22.1) 		70.9
(21.6) 		65.6
(18.7) 		54.5
(12.5) 		43.8
(6.6) 		38.7
(3.7) 		54.2
(12.4)
Record low °F (°C) −3
(−19) 		9
(−13) 		15
(−9) 		30
(−1) 		36
(2) 		45
(7) 		57
(14) 		56
(13) 		37
(3) 		27
(−3) 		9
(−13) 		8
(−13) 		−3
(−19)
Average rainfall inches (mm) 4.67
(119) 		4.33
(110) 		4.88
(124) 		4.39
(112) 		2.98
(76) 		4.86
(123) 		4.54
(115) 		4.09
(104) 		4.54
(115) 		2.61
(66) 		3.20
(81) 		5.04
(128) 		50.13
(1,273)
Source: NOAA[12]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18901,578—
19003,473120.1%
19105,88369.4%
19206,53811.1%
19306,8805.2%
19407,92915.2%
19509,46219.3%
196010,60912.1%
197010,7331.2%
198011,1844.2%
199010,321−7.7%
200011,60812.5%
201011,147−4.0%
202010,220−8.3%
2023 (est.)9,868[13] Decrease−3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1850-1870[15] 1870-1880[16]
1890-1910[17] 1920-1930[18]
1940[19] 1950[20] 1960[21]
1970[22] 1980[23] 1990[24]
2000[25] 2010[26]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Cordele had a population of 10,220. The median age was 37.3 years. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 82.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 76.4 males age 18 and over.[27][28]

94.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 5.1% lived in rural areas.[29]

There were 4,169 households in Cordele, of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of those households, 2,453 were families. Of all households, 25.2% were married-couple households, 20.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 47.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[27]

There were 4,780 housing units, of which 12.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%.[27]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[28]
Race Number Percent
White 2,656 26.0%
Black or African American 6,859 67.1%
American Indian and Alaska Native 18 0.2%
Asian 156 1.5%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 4 0.0%
Some other race 188 1.8%
Two or more races 339 3.3%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 333 3.3%

Arts and culture

Titan I

Cordele hosts an annual Watermelon Festival.[30]

In 1968, a Titan I missile was erected in Cordele.[31]

Sports

Cordele Motor Speedway is a 3/8-mile asphalt oval racetrack. Race series include Speed Fest, sanctioned by the SRL Southwest Tour. The series features four 125-lap races for the UARA National Tour. The track hosts the World Crown 300 for UARA.

Government

Five citizens of Cordele are elected to serve as the city commissioners. John Wiggins is chairman.[32]

In the Georgia State Senate, Cordele is represented by Senator Carden Summers.[33]

In the Georgia House of Representatives, Cordele is represented by Representative Noel Williams Jr.

In the United States House of Representatives, the Cordele is represented by Representative Sanford Bishop.

Education

Crisp County School District

Schools in Cordele are administered by the Crisp County School District and include:[34]

  • Crisp County Primary
  • Crisp County pre-k
  • Crisp County Elementary School
  • Crisp County Middle School
  • Crisp County High School

The district has 266 full-time teachers and over 4,337 students.[35]

Infrastructure

Major highways

The Cordele Inland Port is operated by a private company, Cordele Intermodal Services, which offers rail service via the Heart of Georgia Railroad and Georgia Central Railroad, from their rail ramp in Cordele to the Georgia Ports Authority in Savannah. Two class I railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern pass through Cordele. Shortline Railroad, Heart of Georgia currently interchanges with CSX in downtown Cordele.

Notable people

  • Buster Brown, blues and R&B singer born in Cordele[36]
  • Preston Dennard, former wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams
  • Janie Lou Gibbs, serial killer who poisoned her husband, three sons, and grandson. She was convicted in 1967.
  • Devokeyous Keyshawn Hamilton, rapper, singer, and songwriter known professionally as Lazer Dim 700; born in Cordele[37]
  • Mac Hyman, fiction writer known for his best-selling novel No Time for Sergeants and Take Now Thy Son; born in Cordele and a lifelong resident[38]
  • T. J. Jackson, Olympian and NFL wide receiver
  • Marcus Lamb, president of international Christian TV network Daystar
  • Arthur Lucas, convicted murderer and one of the last two people to be executed in Canada
  • Deworski Odom, sprinter; born in Cordele
  • Jody Powell, served as the White House Press Secretary under President Jimmy Carter; born in Cordele
  • Andre Ramsey, offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills
  • Tree Rollins, former NBA basketball player and Cordele native who attended Crisp County High School
  • Ken Spikes, racing driver
  • Quay Walker, linebacker for the Green Bay Packers
  • Joe Williams, jazz singer and Cosby Show grandfather; born in Cordele[39]
  • Noel Williams Jr. - Insurance agent and politician.[40][41]
  • Jammie Robinson, safety for the Arizona Cardinals
  • Taylor Walls - MLB Player Tampa Bay Rays, Florida State Baseball Star, Team USA Baseball, and Crisp County High School Baseball Star "Taylor Walls".

References

  1. ^ "City of Cordele Georgia Website". City of Cordele Georgia Website. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Cordele". Georgia Gov. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  3. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  4. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "Cordele". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Cordele city, Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved July 31, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ^ "City of Cordele in Cordele, Ga". Cityofcordele.com. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  9. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 51. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  10. ^ https://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/0341/report.pdf Underground Waters of the Coastal Plain of Georgia. Stephenson, Veatch and Dole, 1915, p. 213
  11. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  12. ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  14. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1870.
  16. ^ "1880 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  17. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  18. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930. pp. 251–256.
  19. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  20. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  21. ^ "1960 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1960.
  22. ^ "1970 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1970.
  23. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  24. ^ "1990 Census of Population - Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1990.
  25. ^ "2000 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  26. ^ "2010 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2010.
  27. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  28. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  29. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  30. ^ "Watermelon Days Festival | Cordele, Georgia". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
  31. ^ "History of the Cordele, Georgia Missile Tourist Attraction". Archived from the original on August 10, 2006. Retrieved July 26, 2006.
  32. ^ "City Commissioners". Cityofcordele.com. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  33. ^ "Georgia General Assembly". Senate.ga.gov.
  34. ^ "Georgia Department of Education Official Website | GaDOE".
  35. ^ [1]
  36. ^ "Buster Brown". AllMusic. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  37. ^ "Rap Blog: Lazer Dim 700 raps in the prophetic perfect tense". The FADER. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  38. ^ "Mac Hyman (1923-1963)". The New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  39. ^ "Joe Williams". all about jazz. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  40. ^ "Noel Williams, Jr.'s Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  41. ^ O'Neal, Erica (May 2, 2018). "House of Representatives Candidate: Noel Williams Jr". cordeledispatch.com. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
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