Blackshear, Georgia Population, Schools and Places of Interest
According to Usaers, Blackshear, Georgia is a small city located in Pierce County, situated on the banks of the Satilla River. This quaint town of just over 4,000 people is a great place to explore and experience Southern culture and hospitality. With its close proximity to cities like Jacksonville, Florida and Savannah, Georgia, Blackshear is an ideal spot for vacationers looking for a taste of Southern charm.
The surrounding cities and towns that border Blackshear offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. Waycross, located just 15 miles north of Blackshear, is home to the Okefenokee Swamp Park where visitors can take guided boat tours through the swamp’s winding waterways and observe local wildlife up close. The city also offers a variety of shops and restaurants along its historic downtown area. To learn more about Georgia, please check Homeagerly.
Heading south from Blackshear lies Folkston, another small town situated on the Georgia-Florida border. This community offers plenty to do including golfing at Pine Lakes Golf Course or visiting the Folkston Rail Road Museum which showcases historical artifacts from local railroads throughout the area. Visitors can also take in some local art at The Gallery at Folkston or take part in various outdoor recreational activities such as fishing or hiking at nearby Crooked River State Park.
Traveling east from Blackshear is Nahunta which offers some unique attractions such as the Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site where visitors can explore an antebellum plantation house built in 1847 as well as surrounding grounds that feature a nature trail and other outdoor activities. Or if you’re looking for something more modern there’s always shopping available at both Nahunta Mall or Brantley Shopping Center located just outside town limits.
These are just a few of the many cities and towns that border Blackshear, Georgia where visitors can find plenty to do while exploring this charming corner of South Georgia!
Population of Blackshear, Georgia
Blackshear, Georgia is a small town located in Pierce County, Georgia. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Blackshear was 2,639 as of 2019. This is a slight increase from the 2010 population of 2,527. The racial makeup of Blackshear is 84% White, 14% African American, 1% Hispanic or Latino and less than 1% Native American and Asian. The median age in Blackshear is 39 years old with an average household size of 2.7 people per household.
The majority of residents are employed in the public sector with 28% working for Pierce County government and 15% employed by local school districts. The largest employer in town is Georgia-Pacific with 12%. Other top employers include South Georgia Medical Center (8%), Wal-Mart Stores (7%), and Lowes Foods (5%).
Blackshear also has a strong agricultural industry with over 6,000 acres of farmland dedicated to growing peanuts, corn and soybeans among other crops. Economic development has been happening in recent years with new businesses opening such as restaurants, retail stores and medical facilities that are providing much needed jobs for the community. The town also offers many recreational activities for its residents including fishing at nearby Lake Blackshear and hiking trails at nearby Crooked River State Park.
Schools and Education in Blackshear, Georgia
Blackshear is served by the Pierce County School District, which has five public schools. These include Blackshear Elementary School, Blackshear Middle School, and Blackshear High School. The district also operates a charter school, Pierce County Charter Academy and an alternative school, Pierce County Learning Academy.
The schools in the district offer a variety of programs for students to choose from including music and art classes, advanced placement courses, and career-technical education pathways. The district also offers special education services for students with disabilities as well as English Language Learner (ELL) programs for non-native English speakers.
The schools are well-resourced with up-to-date technology such as interactive whiteboards, laptops, iPads and Chromebooks available to teachers and students alike. The district also provides access to online learning resources including Khan Academy for math and science tutorials and Google Classroom for digital collaboration between teachers and students.
In addition to the public school system in Blackshear there are also several private schools in the area including First Baptist Church Daycare & Preschool, St. Anne Catholic School, Faith Christian Academy of Blackshear, and First United Methodist Church Daycare & Preschool.
Places of Interest in Blackshear, Georgia
Blackshear is home to several landmarks, including the historic Pierce County Courthouse. Built in 1897, the courthouse is a two-story brick building with a classical revival style. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been restored to its former glory.
The city also features a variety of parks, including City Park which offers playgrounds, picnic facilities and sports fields as well as walking trails that wind through the park. The city also has several recreational areas such as Lake Blackshear, Crooked River State Park and Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park which offer camping, fishing, hiking and more.
The town is also home to two museums: The Blackshear Museum of Art and History and The Georgia Veterans Memorial Museum. The Blackshear Museum of Art and History houses artifacts from Pierce County’s history, including documents from its earliest settlers and photographs from its early days as a small railroad town. The Georgia Veterans Memorial Museum displays exhibits about the state’s military history from World War II through current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition to these landmarks, there are numerous churches in Blackshear ranging from traditional denominations such as Baptist to non-denominational churches like Christ Family Church. These churches often serve as community gathering places for events such as weddings or festivals throughout the year.
