Georgia
GA · Data from 2022–2023 government sources
Georgia, the Peach State, is the largest state east of the Mississippi River and a rising economic powerhouse of the American South. Atlanta, its capital, is a global city that serves as the headquarters of Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Home Depot, and UPS. From the Blue Ridge Mountains in the north to the barrier islands of the coast, Georgia offers a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty.
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Georgia was the last of the original 13 colonies, founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe as a buffer between British South Carolina and Spanish Florida. Named after King George II, the colony was unique in initially banning slavery (a prohibition later reversed). Georgia was a major battleground during the Civil War, with General Sherman's March to the Sea devastating the state in 1864. In the 20th century, Georgia became a cradle of the Civil Rights Movement — Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta in 1929, and the city became a headquarters for the movement.
Economy
Georgia has the eighth-largest economy among U.S. states. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the world's busiest by passenger traffic, making the city a logistics and business hub. The state is a major center for film and television production — Georgia's tax incentives have earned it the nickname 'Hollywood of the South.' Agriculture remains significant, with Georgia leading the nation in production of peanuts, pecans, and blueberries.
Geography & Landmarks
Georgia covers 59,425 square miles, transitioning from the Appalachian Mountains in the north through the Piedmont Plateau to the Coastal Plain in the south. The Blue Ridge Mountains offer peaks over 4,700 feet, while the coast features the Golden Isles — a chain of barrier islands including Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, and Cumberland Island. The Okefenokee Swamp, one of the largest intact freshwater ecosystems in North America, straddles the Georgia-Florida border. Providence Canyon in southwestern Georgia, often called Georgia's Little Grand Canyon, was actually created by poor farming practices in the 1800s that caused massive erosion exposing colorful soil layers. The Chattahoochee River flows through metropolitan Atlanta and provides drinking water to millions before forming part of the Alabama-Georgia border.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area — NPS Photo/Tom Wilson
Source: NPS API
Culture & Traditions
Georgia's cultural contributions span music, literature, film, and food. Atlanta is the birthplace of hip-hop legends OutKast and the home base of producer Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings, while Macon produced Little Richard and Otis Redding, pillars of rock and soul music. The state's literary tradition includes Flannery O'Connor, Alice Walker (The Color Purple), and Margaret Mitchell, whose Gone with the Wind remains one of the best-selling novels of all time. Georgia has become Hollywood of the South, with Pinewood Studios Atlanta and Tyler Perry Studios attracting major productions including the Marvel Cinematic Universe films and The Walking Dead. Georgia's culinary identity is anchored by peach cobbler, Brunswick stew (claimed by Brunswick, Georgia), and the boiled peanut, the official state snack since 2006.
Notable Cities
Atlanta
CapitalThe state capital, a major business hub, and the cultural center of the New South. Home to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Georgia Aquarium.
494,838
Population
$77,655
Median income
$395,600
Home value
$1,512
Median rent
33.6
Median age
5.8%
Unemployment
45.7%
Homeownership
110,739
Bachelor's+
Savannah
One of America's most beautiful cities, known for its cobblestone streets, Spanish moss-draped squares, and impeccably preserved historic district.
Augusta
Home to the Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, one of the most prestigious events in professional golf.
Athens
A vibrant college town built around the University of Georgia. Known for its influential music scene that launched bands like R.E.M. and the B-52's.
Macon
Located in the geographic heart of Georgia, known as the Cherry Blossom Capital for its 350,000+ Yoshino cherry trees and the Allman Brothers Band Museum.
Capital city data: Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)
Intel File · Fun Facts
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic for over two decades.
Georgia produces more peanuts than any other state, growing about 50% of the nation's total peanut crop.
The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is one of the largest aquariums in the world, with over 10 million gallons of water.
Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta by pharmacist John Pemberton in 1886.
Georgia's film industry generates over $4 billion annually, with major productions like the Marvel films, Stranger Things, and The Walking Dead filmed in the state.
Data & Statistics
Demographics
- Population
- 10,722,325
- Median income
- $71,355
- Median age
- 37.2
- Median home value
- $245,900
- Below poverty line
- 1,415,573
- Bachelor's degree+
- 1,464,589
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022)
Agriculture
- Total farms
- 39,264
- Cropland
- 4,523,728 acres
- Market value
- $13,239M
Source: USDA NASS, Census of Agriculture (2022)
Public Health
- Obesity rate
- 35.0%
- Diabetes rate
- 12.7%
- Smoking rate
- 12.0%
- High blood pressure
- 35.7%
- Uninsured
- 12.7%
Source: CDC BRFSS Prevalence Data (2023, 2022 fallback)
National Parks & Sites
- National parks
- 0
- Total NPS sites
- 12
- Sites
- Andersonville National Historic Site, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Fort Frederica National Monument, Fort Pulaski National Monument, Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail
Source: National Park Service API
Climate
- Avg temperature
- 63.9°F
- Avg high
- 75.9°F
- Avg low
- 51.9°F
- Annual precipitation
- 49.7 in
- Annual snowfall
- 0.4 in
Source: NOAA Climate Normals (2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Georgia?▾
Atlanta is the capital of Georgia and the most populous city in the state. It is a major economic and cultural center of the southeastern United States.
Why is Georgia called the Peach State?▾
Georgia earned the nickname 'The Peach State' for its long history of peach cultivation, though it actually ranks third in U.S. peach production behind California and South Carolina. The state's peaches are prized for their quality and flavor.
What are Georgia's barrier islands?▾
Georgia's barrier islands, known as the Golden Isles, include Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Cumberland Island. Cumberland Island is the largest, home to wild horses and accessible only by ferry. These islands offer beaches, maritime forests, and historic sites.
What movies are filmed in Georgia?▾
Georgia is one of the top film production locations in the world. Major productions filmed there include Marvel's Avengers films, Black Panther, Stranger Things, The Walking Dead, Ozark, and many more. Atlanta's Trilith Studios (formerly Pinewood) is one of the largest production facilities in the U.S.
Data sources
U.S. Census Bureau · USDA NASS · CDC BRFSS · National Park Service · NOAA CDO
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau. This product uses the NASS API but is not endorsed or certified by NASS.
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