Vidalia Georgia: Encyclopedia - Vidalia Georgia

Vidalia, Georgia

Vidalia (pron. VI - dahyl - yah) is a city located primarily in Toombs County, Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 10,491. It is the largest city in Toombs County. Vidalia's name is said to be a contraction of "via dalia," or "the dahlia way."

Vidalia Georgia - Products

Vidalia has a mixed economy, but its largest industry is agriculture. Since 1931, Granex onions grown in and near Vidalia have been licensed and sold internationally as Vidalia onions. In 1986, the Vidalia Onion Trademark Act granted a state trademark and protection on the onions of the Vidalia and Toombs County, Georgia area. The 1989 Federal Marketing Order #955 of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service gave the growers and handlers the legal rights to establish the Vidalia Onion Committee, and it granted U.S. federal protection of the onion's name and protections. In 1990, the Vidalia Onion was named as the "official vegetable" of the state of Georgia. Year 2000 production was estimated at 40,000,000 fifty-pound (22.68 kg) bags.

Vidalia Georgia - Geography

Vidalia is located at 32°12'55" North, 82°24'36" West (32.215305, -82.410086)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 45.2 km² (17.4 mi²). 44.9 km² (17.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.63% water.

Vidalia Georgia - Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there are 10,491 people, 4,167 households, and 2,758 families residing in the city; of these, 160 people lived in Montgomery County, and the rest in Toombs County. The population density is 233.7/km² (605.4/mi²). There are 4,676 housing units at an average density of 104.2/km² (269.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 59.61% White, 36.88% African American, 0.89% Asian, 0.14% Native American, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.82% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 3.24% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 4,167 households out of which 32.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% are married couples living together, 18.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% are non-families. 30.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.46 and the average family size is 3.06.

In the city the population is spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 76.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $28,365, and the median income for a family is $40,091. Males have a median income of $30,180 versus $18,496 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,369. 19.9% of the population and 15.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 29.5% of those under the age of 18 and 18.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Vidalia Georgia", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki