Peachtree City, Georgia
Peachtree City is the largest city in Fayette County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, it had a population of 34,364. Peachtree City is located in South Metro Atlanta.
Peachtree City is noted for its extensive use of golf carts. Over 10,000 households in the city own golf carts, and most areas of the city can be reached via more than of golf cart paths.
Geography
Peachtree City is located in western Fayette County in the southern Atlanta metro area. It is bordered to the west by Coweta County and to the north by the city of Tyrone. It is crossed by Georgia State Route 74 and Georgia State Route 54. SR 54 leads east to Fayetteville, the county seat, and southwest to Luthersville. Newnan is to the west via SR 54 and SR 34. SR 74, the Joel Cowan Parkway, runs through the west side of Peachtree City, leading north to Tyrone and to Interstate 85 near Fairburn. Downtown Atlanta is to the north via SR 74 and I-85.According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Peachtree City has a total area of, of which is land and, or 3.57%, is water. The city is in the watershed of Line Creek, which forms the western city boundary and county line, and is a south-flowing tributary of the Flint River.
Peachtree City has three lakes. Lake Kedron to the north is a reservoir that supplies Lake Peachtree to the south via Flat Creek. Lake Kedron is owned by the Fayette County Authority, and is managed so as to keep Lake Peachtree full whenever there is a lack of rain and still allow for recreational use of the lake during droughts. Lake Kedron is not afforded any recreational use except for fishing. Lake McIntosh, the newest lake, close to Planterra, has now reached full pool.
Shakerag Hill, with an elevation of, is the highest point in the city and sits on the eastern border at the intersection of GA Hwy 54 and Robinson Road.
History
Timeline:- In 1957, Flat Creek was dammed to create Lake Peachtree.
- In 1959, Joel Cowan established the city's network of golf cart paths.
- In 1965, the Peachtree City volunteer fire department was created. The one-car Peachtree City police department was created as well.
- In 1968, Falcon Field airport was founded by Joel Cowan as Peachtree City-Falcon Field. Peachtree City Elementary School opened as well.
- In 1972, Peachtree City was granted its own ZIP code.
- In 1974, the Peachtree City Public Library opened. The Georgia state legislature passed legislation permitting golf carts to be operated on city streets.
- In 1975, Peachtree City was named "one of America's best suburbs" by Ladies' Home Journal magazine.
- In 1976, Peachtree City got its own telephone exchange. Residents then had to dial "8" to reach Atlanta, which remained the case until digital equipment was installed in 1988.
- In 1976, Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater was built as a Bicentennial project and opened to the public with the production "The MacIntosh Trail", which told the story of Creek Chief William McIntosh and the Trail of Tears. When further funding was not forthcoming the project went into foreclosure. Peachtree City purchased the amphitheater at the courthouse steps in 1977.
- In 1979, the first traffic light within city limits was installed at the intersection of Georgia State Route 54 and Georgia State Route 74.
- In 1981, McIntosh High School opened.
- In 1983, Peachtree City held a free music festival to celebrate the opening of several new shops and stores, including the Galaxy Games arcade. Several local bands played at the free event, including "Alliance".
- In 1984, Hoshizaki America, Inc. builds corporate headquarters, warehousing and manufacturing facility in Peachtree City
- In 1992, Peachtree City altered the length of the mayoral and council members' terms of office from two to four years. Term limits were enacted to restrict both mayor and council members to a maximum of two four-year terms.
- In 1994, the first Summer Concert Series premiered at Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater on June 17, 1994, to a sold-out audience. The first concert featured Three Dog Night.
- In 1994, the National Weather Service central office relocated from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
- In 1994, Fuller Life Chiropractic Center opened its initial office.
- In 1996, the Olympic flame passed through on its way to Atlanta.
- In 2001, the city was designated a "Tree City USA" by the Arbor Day Foundation.
- In 2002, Peachtree City was a filming location for the movie Sweet Home Alabama.
- In 2007, the city announced a plan to formally annex an unincorporated area between Georgia State Route 74 and the border with Coweta County that is commonly referred to as "The West Village", or "Wilksmoor Village".
- In 2013, the 650-acre opened for public use
Rankings
In July 2005, CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Peachtree City eighth on its list of the "100 Best Places to Live in the United States". In July 2007, in the same award, the city was ranked 64th. In July 2009, Peachtree City was ranked eighth on the list. In August 2011, Peachtree City ranked 91st on the list.Peachtree City was ranked number one for "Best Places to Raise Kids" in the state of Georgia, according to Bloomberg Business Week.
In 2017, Peachtree City was ranked as the safest city in Georgia, among the top 5th percentile safest cities in America, based on the FBI crime data.
In 2019, Expedia, ranked Peachtree City as No.1 city among the best places to visit in USA because of the cultures and landscapes that define the best of the country.
Economy
- Eaton Corp – Lighting Division formerly Cooper Industries is headquartered in Peachtree City.
- Hoshizaki America, Inc. has its corporate headquarters and a warehousing and manufacturing facility in Peachtree City and employs over 700 people throughout the United States. It is a major supplier of Ice Machines /icemakers, Refrigerated Display Cases, Dispensers, Prep Tables, Commercial Refrigerators and Freezer for foodservice, hotels, restaurants, hospitals & nursing homes, schools and convenience stores.
- Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America has its main operations based in Peachtree City and is the largest employer in the city. It is a major supplier of automotive audio, video and navigation systems for Honda, Ford, Nissan, General Motors, Toyota and Subaru.
- Sany, a Chinese multinational heavy machinery manufacturer
- TDK Corporation, a media storage device manufacturer
- Avery Dennison, a paper product company that manufactures decals and other adhesives
- NCR Corporation, formerly National Cash Register, a company that manufactures ATMs, an alternative rock radio station.
Recreation
Sports
Soccer
On January 8, 2016, the Premier Development League awarded a soccer franchise to Peachtree City. The Peachtree City MOBA football club's inaugural season was the 2016 season. The team is owned by Volker Harms, the owner of the state-of-the-art MOBA Soccer Academy in Peachtree City, and managed by former professional footballer Omar Jarun.The club plays out of MOBA Soccer Stadium at MOBA Soccer Academy.
Government
As of January 2014, the mayor of Peachtree City is Vanessa Fleisch. Council members include Kim Learnard, Eric Imker, Terry Ernst, and Mike King.Fleisch is the first female mayor in the city's history.
Climate
Demography
As of the 2000 census, there were 31,580 people, 10,876 households, and 8,874 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 11,313 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 89.66% White, 4.11% African American, 0.16% Native American, 3.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.75% of the population.There were 10,876 households out of which 47.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.8% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.4% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the city, the population was spread out with 31.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $84,339, and the median income for a family was $96,880.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
Peachtree City is served by the Fayette County School System.Elementary schools that serve the city include:
- Peeples Elementary School
- Braelinn Elementary School
- Huddleston Elementary School
- Kedron Elementary School
- Oak Grove Elementary School
- Peachtree City Elementary School
- Crabapple Lane Elementary School
- J.C. Booth Middle School – serves central and northern Peachtree City
- Rising Starr Middle School – serves southern Peachtree City
- McIntosh High School – serves central and northern Peachtree City
- Starr's Mill High School – serves southern Peachtree City
- Whitewater High School – serves some of southeastern Peachtree City)
- Our Lady of Victory Catholic School – elementary and middle school located in Tyrone
- Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School – located in Fayetteville
- The Campus
- Trinity Christian School – grades 1–8 are at the main campus; high school is at the old Crossroads Church
- Landmark Christian School – this is an elementary campus; main campus is located in Fairburn, serving grades K4-12
- St. Paul Lutheran School – elementary and middle school, located inside Peachtree City at the intersection of Georgia Highway 74 and Ardenlee Drive
Colleges and universities
- Clayton State University – This facility is at the north end of Peachtree Pkwy in Peachtree City. It offers dual-credit enrollment program for high school students. Fayette has an instructional site with undergraduate degrees in business, psychology, integrative studies, administrative management, and technology management, and an MBA program with a concentration in logistics and supply chain management.
- Point University – This campus offers the Access program for adult learners and the dual-credit enrollment program for high school students.
Film and television
Lifetime's Drop Dead Diva was filmed in Peachtree City and surrounding areas of Fayette and Coweta County. With Raleigh Studios in nearby Senoia, Peachtree City has often been the backdrop for episodes of other series, such as The Walking Dead. Scenes from the film Joyful Noise were shot there as well.Transportation
Golf carts
Peachtree City has a system of golf cart paths which spider across the town and provide a secondary means of access to almost any destination within city limits. These multi-use paths stretch for more than throughout the city. Many places of business have specially designated golf cart parking spaces. The Peachtree City Police Department has several golf carts used to patrol along these paths.Over 10,000 households own a golf cart, and use them as an extra vehicle for local transportation. Children aged twelve or over may operate a cart on Peachtree City cart paths with a parent, grandparent or guardian in the front seat. Unaccompanied fifteen-year-olds with valid Georgia learner's permits are allowed to operate golf carts alone. Students at McIntosh High School are encouraged to drive family golf carts to school because of limited car parking. In 2015, Starr's Mill High School opened a golf-cart specific lot. The golf cart paths are used also by cyclists, joggers, and pedestrians as a safer alternative to the side of the road. In February 2003, Golf Digest magazine discussed the traffic congestion caused by the use of golf carts in the city.
Airports
, also known as Falcon Field, is a general aviation airport that provides chartered air service. Since 1987, it has grown from having about 60 aircraft based at the airport to about 165. The runway is long and holds up to of aircraft. It mainly serves Peachtree City's business residents, but also serves as a place of entertainment for people interested. There is a viewing area provided for the public to watch aircraft take-off and land. The airport hosts many events throughout the year, including the Great Georgia Air Show. The airport is the location of a National Weather Service radar station, Southeast River Forecast Center, and Weather Forecast Office, which serves 96 counties in northern and central Georgia.Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport provides commercial service and is located northeast of Peachtree City via Georgia State Route 74 and Interstate 85.
Peachtree City was designated a foreign-trade zone by the U.S. Customs Service. In the U.S., a foreign-trade zone is a site in or near a U.S. Customs port of entry, designated free of customs entry procedures.
Notable people
- Damien Haas, actor and YouTuber
- Kelley O'Hara, USWNT player
- Reed Sorenson, NASCAR driver
- Travis Van Winkle, actor