This virtual cache is not about something to “see”. Rather this place is interesting because of where you ARE!!!
Where exactly is the center of Georgia?? If you are trying to stand in the “center” of the state, it is possible to create a set of coordinates that notes a very particular point. As long as state line and boundaries don’t change, that point will remain the center of the state forever. For example, see geocache GC88YWB to find a virtual cache very near the geographical center of Georgia.
About 10 years ago we were living in Tennessee. During some geocaching adventures we found a large rock marker on the east side of Murfreesboro that noted the GEOGRAPHIC center of Tennessee. Murfreesboro is about 20 miles SE of Nashville. This one seemed very reasonable for that long and narrow state. But we also found another marker on the west side of Murfreesboro for the POPULATION center of Tennessee. When you consider Memphis in the far southwest corner, Nashville in the middle of the state, and then Knoxville to the northeast, you can get an understanding of why this point is located near the middle of the state. (Both caches have now been archived.)
You see, there are many ways to determine the “center” of a state. One of these ways is to note the “population center” of the state. I’m sure there is a very involved and complicated definition for this idea. But generally, it means that half of the population of the state lives north of a point and the other half of the population of the state lives south of the same point. Additionally, half of the population of the state lives east of the point and the other half lives west of the point. So, based on the population of the state, a specific point can be calculated that is surrounded evenly by the state’s residents.
This point certainly does change and move over time. As people migrate in and out of the state … as people move into the larger cities … as people in the cities move into the suburbs … as small towns and communities die out … as large cities see tremendous population growth … the population center of the state changes. Since the US Census completed every 10 years is our “official” count of the population, we will be using the most recent census (2020) to determine the present location for this cache. US Census data has been used for the last 15 census counts (since 1880) to mark the population center of Georgia.
In 1870, the largest city in Georgia was Savannah. Atlanta was the second largest, but Augusta, Columbus and Macon were close behind. Atlanta had just become the capital of the state in 1868 and the growth spurt was just starting.
Look at the attached list of coordinates for the population center of Georgia.1 For five census periods it is evident that the population is moving south (towards Macon). But by the 1930 census this trend was reversed and the population has been moving north … and west … ever since. In other words, the population center is heading closer and closer to Atlanta and has been doing so for about 100 years!
However, there is a way to make this picture even clearer. Attached is a map of the population center of Georgia through the last 15 census periods.2 Number 1 is based on the 1880 census; number 15 is 2020 (and most current) census population center point. As we realize that our capital city of Atlanta is located in the northwest quadrant of the state, it becomes very apparent that since 1930 our population center has moved continuously north and slightly west towards this large metropolitan area that has become the 9th largest metro area in the United States.3
So where exactly is the population center of Georgia?? Here is a description that has been provided by one group to “visualize” the area.4
In just 10 years, this point has moved northwesterly about 6 miles!!
But don’t worry. This virtual cache is not going to require you to make any coordinate conversions. The coordinates listed above will take you to a fairly flat parking spot in Newton County that is very near the 2020 population center of Georgia. When you are at these coordinates, you will know that the resident population of the state surrounds you on a fairly even basis in all four directions. The actual Population Center point is located 370 feet northwest (bearing 319 degrees) in the turn lane at Hammonds Drive into the subdivision. That point is listed below as an additional waypoint.
To claim this virtual geocache, please answer the following and submit via the message feature:
Just north of the parking spot (about 40 feet) on the eastern side of the highway there is a stationary yellow item with a blue band. The date 2004 is on the yellow item. A) What are the four letters directly below the date and B) what city is listed below the four letters?
Optional: In your log, please post a photo of you/your group with the yellow item in the background. NO SPOILER CLOSE UPS PLEASE! Please show your GPS and / or your geo-name. Your face DOES NOT have to be in the photo.
If you are caching with a group, only one geocacher needs to answer for all parties. Please list the participants in your message to the cache owner.
Be safe!! Happy Hunting!!
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.
References:
1. Addy Bink. WSAV.com. Savannah Georgia. “GEORGIA NEWS. This is the ‘center’ of Georgia according to Census data.” Posted December 8, 2023 @ 6:56 AM EST.
2. United States Census Bureau. State Centers of Population 1880 – 2020: Georgia.
3. United States Census Bureau. Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the United States and Puerto Rico: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023.
4. Reid Wilson. THE HILL. Washington, D.C. “Each state’s population center, visualized.” Posted December 30, 2021 @ 6:01 AM EST.