McRae–Helena is a city in the U.S. state of Georgia, formed on January 1, 2015, by the merger of the two cities of McRae and Helena. McRae–Helena is the county seat of Telfair County.
McRae–Helena, Georgia | |
|---|---|
 Downtown McRae–Helena, Georgia | |
| Nickname: The Purple Heart City | |
| Motto: The Crossroads City | |
  McRae–Helena, Georgia Location in Georgia | |
| Coordinates: 32°04′10″N 82°54′10″W / 32.06944°N 82.90278°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | Telfair, Wheeler |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Mike Young |
| • City Manager | Melissa A. Jones |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.53 sq mi (16.92 km2) |
| • Land | 6.44 sq mi (16.67 km2) |
| • Water | 0.10 sq mi (0.25 km2) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 6,253 |
| • Density | 971.57/sq mi (375.15/km2) |
| ZIP code | 31055 |
| Area code | 229 |
| FIPS code | 13-49100 |
| Website | mcrae-helena |
It is the largest city in Telfair County, with a population of 6,253 in 2020.[2] This includes the population held as inmates at McRae Correctional Institution.
History
On January 1, 2015, McRae and the adjacent town of Helena merged to form McRae–Helena. This merge was initiated when Helena discovered it could no longer manage its wastewater supply. While it seemed to make sense to have nearby McRae take over Helena's water services, it would have not only reduced Helena's revenue, but left Helena with only two municipal services.[3] The cities were united under House Bill 967, sponsored by Representative Jimmy Pruett of the 149th district. It was signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal on April 10, 2014.[4]
Geography
McRae–Helena is located in northern Telfair County at 32°3′52″N 82°53′54″W / 32.06444°N 82.89833°W (32.064508, -82.898251).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.34000 square miles (11.24055 km2).[2] The Little Ocmulgee River flows just northeast of the city limits, while Sugar Creek passes through the southwest border of the city.
Transportation
Several highways travel through McRae–Helena Area. U.S. Route 23 (US 23), along with US 341/SR 27 travel through the city as a one-way pair using Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (formerly Railroad Street), heading northwest 20 miles (32 km) to Eastman and Oak Street heading southeast 24 miles (39 km) to Hazlehurst, while US 280/US 319/US 441/SR 30/SR 31 travel through as Third Avenue, crossing US 23/US 341/SR 27 in the center of the city. US 280/SR 30 heads northeast 33 miles (53 km) to Vidalia and west 55 miles (89 km) to Cordele, while US 319/US 441/SR 31 heads south 19 miles (31 km) to the small town of Jacksonville and north 35 miles (56 km) to Dublin.
Major railroad lines include the former Macon and Brunswick Railroad, now the Brunswick Division of Norfolk Southern Railway which passes through both former cities, and a former Seaboard Air Line Railroad line now owned by the Heart of Georgia Railroad that passed only through Helena. A junction between these lines exists in the former Helena.
Sites of interest
Located in downtown McRae–Helena is Liberty Square, home of a Statue of Liberty replica that is one-twelfth the size of the original. The square is also the site of a replica of the Liberty Bell and a marble memorial to Telfair County residents who died in military service.
On the outskirts of McRae–Helena is the Talmadge Home. This historic home was occupied by two former Georgia governors, Eugene Talmadge and Herman Eugene Talmadge. McRae–Helena was the birthplace of Marion B. Folsom (1893–1976), a longtime executive of the Eastman Kodak Company who served as the United States Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare during the Eisenhower administration.
Famous railfan photographer William B. Folsom is buried in McRae–Helena.
Education
Telfair County School District
The Telfair County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of one elementary school, a middle school, and a high school.[5] The district has 112 full-time teachers and over 1,648 students.[6]
- Telfair County Elementary School
- Telfair County Middle School
- Telfair County High School
- Telfair County Pre-K
Higher education
- Oconee Fall Line Technical College - McRae–Helena Campus[7]
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6,253 | — | |
| 2023 (est.) | 4,759 | [8] | −23.9% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] | |||
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 1,894 | 30.29% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 2,513 | 40.19% |
| Native American | 19 | 0.3% |
| Asian | 21 | 0.34% |
| Pacific Islander | 14 | 0.14% |
| Other/Mixed | 77 | 1.23% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,729 | 27.65% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,253 people, 1,989 households, and 1,456 families residing in the city.
Economy
Major employers in McRae–Helena include:
- Husqvarna[11]
- McRae Correctional Institution [12]
- City of McRae–Helena [13]
- Coca-Cola Bottling Plant [14]
- Golden Peanut Company [15]
- Telfair State Prison[16]
- Little Ocmulgee State Park[17]
- Cook Petro [18]
- Griffins Warehouse–McRae, LLC [19]
See also
References
External links
