Griffin, Georgia

Griffin is a city in Spalding County, Georgia, United States. The population was 23,451 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Spalding CountyTemplate:GR. Griffin is the birthplace of Olympian Wyomia Tyus and several NFL players including Miami Dolphins tight end Randy McMichael, former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jessie Tuggle, New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan, Washington Redskins linebacker Chris Clemons and lineman Nic Clemons, Houston Texans defensive end Charlie Clemons, former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Ben Talley, and former Chicago Bears wide receiver Willie Gault. Western legend Doc Holliday who fought with Wyatt Earp at the OK Corral, was born and established his dental practice in Griffin before moving west for health reasons. Edward Andrews, star of screen and television was born in Griffin. Griffin has also been featured in several movies, including Driving Miss Daisy, and has been visited by many well known music stars and movie stars alike. A book recently published "Alone in the Iris City" by Eve Thomas, tells about her life, growing up in Griffin.

Geography

Location of Griffin, Georgia

Griffin is located at 33°14′51″N 84°16′15″W (33.247602, -84.270891)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 37.8 km² (14.6 mi²). 37.6 km² (14.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.55%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 23,451 people, 8,876 households, and 5,955 families residing in the city. The population density was 623.6/km² (1,615.0/mi²). There were 9,636 housing units at an average density of 256.2/km² (663.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 46.98% White, 49.88% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.22% of the population.

There were 8,876 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 24.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 86.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,088, and the median income for a family was $33,963. Males had a median income of $30,488 versus $21,352 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,563. About 17.7% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.4% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over.

Citizens of Note

Doc Holliday was born in Griffin.

Hall of Fame offensive tackle Rayfield Wright was born in Griffin.

Thomas Jefferson Byrd III A veteran actor of Screen and Stage. He starred in such movies as Set it off, Ray, He Got Game and countless others. Some of his stage credits include Spunk, Home, The Piano Lesson and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom were in 2006 he returned to the role of Toledo while making his Broadway debut along side Whoopi Goldberg and Charles Dutton. He also has appeared in numerous T.V shows and made for T.V movies.

Wyomia Tyus, an American athlete, and the first woman to retain the Olympic title in the 100 m was born in Griffin.

Josh Pace - Played guard for Syracuse University during the school's first National Championship in 2003. Currently, he plays professional basketball overseas.

Military Service

Spanish American War

• Griffin raised two batteries of Field Artillery for the Spanish-American War, Batteries A and B, Georgia Volunteer Light Artillery, which was organized as follows:

• Mustered In: 13-15 May 1898 at Griffin, Georgia
• Mustered Out: 17 October 1898 at Griffin, Georgia
• Mustered In:

Officers: 8

Enlisted Men: 246

• Mustered Out:

Officers: 7

Enlisted Men: 308

• Total Number Accounted for on Muster Out Roll:

Officers: 8

Enlisted Men: 333

• One of the Officers resigned before the unit was mustered out. Three of the Enlisted Men transferred to other units, six were discharged for disability, Ten were discharged for various reasons, Two died of disease, and Four deserted.

• Neither unit actually left Griffin.

Source: US ARMY CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY HISTORICAL RESOURCES BRANCH SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR: VOLUNTEER FORCES

External links

• Official web site
• Griffin Spalding Chamber of Commerce
• Historic Downtown Griffin
• First Baptist Church of Griffin