What Statesboro is known for

The Statesboro Destination is located primarily in the state of Georgia, relatively close to the ocean. Statesboro, the namesake of the destination, is a city located in Bulloch County, Georgia. It serves as the county seat and is reportedly the largest city in the area in terms of population. Statesboro is part of the Statesboro Micropolitan Area, which has a population of 81,099 and is also included in the Savannah–Hinesville–Statesboro combined statistical area. The city has a history dating back to its chartering in 1803. Later, in 1906, it became the location of the First District A&M School, which eventually evolved into Georgia Southern University. Statesboro has also made cultural contributions, inspiring the blues song “Statesboro Blues” by Blind Willie McTell in the 1920s, which was covered by the Allman Brothers Band. The city has received recognition as one of the top three communities in America’s Best Communities competition in 2017 and was named one of Georgia’s “live, work, play” cities by the Georgia Municipal Association.[4]

Statesboro has a population of 33,782 people as of 2023. It is the 28th largest city in Georgia and the 1177th largest city in the United States. The city has experienced a growth rate of 0.57% annually, with a 1.73% population increase since the 2020 census. With a population density of 2,269 people per square mile, Statesboro spans over 15 miles. The racial composition of Statesboro includes White (49.57%), Black or African American (39.68%), two or more races (5.96%), other races (2.93%), Asian (1.63%), and Native American (0.23%).[1]

A range of attractions can be found near Statesboro. The Georgia Southern University Museum provides exhibits showcasing the state’s natural history, including a 78-million-year-old Mosasaur skeleton and the oldest known Vogtle Whale fossil in North America. Just a few blocks away, the Georgia Southern Botanical Gardens invites visitors to explore its diverse plant collections, trails, and wildlife, including native butterflies and birds like the red-feathered cardinals. Splash in the Boro! Water Park offers a variety of activities, from a lazy river to a wave pool and slides. The Averitt Center for the Arts, housed in a fairly historic building, hosts art exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year. Lastly, the Blind Willie McTell Trail leads through downtown Statesboro.[2]

Macon, officially known as Macon–Bibb County, is a city-county in the destination. Located about 85 miles southeast of Atlanta, it holds the nickname “The Heart of Georgia” due to its proximity to the state’s geographic center along the fall line of the Ocmulgee River. With a population of 157,346 people as of 2020, Macon serves as the principal city of the Macon Metropolitan Statistical Area, housing 234,802 people. It is also the largest city in the Macon–Warner Robins Combined Statistical Area, which was reported to have 420,693 residents in 2017 and borders the Atlanta metropolitan area. Following a 2012 referendum, the consolidation of the City of Macon and Bibb County governments took effect on January 1, 2014, positioning Macon as the state’s fourth-largest city after Augusta. Macon has access to three interstate highways: I-16, I-75, and I-475. The region also features the Middle Georgia Regional Airport and Herbert Smart Downtown Airport. Multiple higher education institutions, museums, and tourist sites can also be found in Macon.[5] 

Geography

The state of Georgia is home to the Statesboro Destination. Various cities are found in the region, including Macon, Swainsboro, Pembroke, Vidalia, Warner Robins, and Statesboro, which is the namesake of the destination. Statesboro’s geography is characterized as a coastal plain region—or Low Country—of Georgia, resulting in a mainly flat terrain with some small hills. With an elevation of 250 feet, the downtown area stands as one of the highest points in Bulloch County. Statesboro spans a total area of 13.9 square miles, including 13.5 square miles of land and 0.35 square miles of water. The area is adorned with various trees such as pine, oak, magnolia, dogwood, palm, sweetgum, and more.[4]

Statesboro has a climate characterized by “hot and oppressive” summers, short and cold winters, and wet and partly cloudy weather year-round. The temperature typically ranges anywhere from 39 to 94 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, rarely falling below 26 or rising above 99 degrees. The ideal times to visit Statesboro for warm-weather activities are from early April to late May and from mid-September to late October. May 21 to September 15 is classified as the "hot season" for Statesboro, with an average daily high temperature above 87 degrees. July is the hottest month, with an average high of 93 degrees and a low of 74 degrees. The cool season lasts for nearly three months, from November 28 to February 23, with an average daily high temperature below 67 degrees. January is the coldest month, with an average low of 40 degrees and a high of 61 degrees.[3]

The Statesboro area is reported to have various types of flora [that “grow well.”]native to the region. Among these species, there is the stout blue-eyed grass, Chinese bush berry, yellow anise, Yorktown onion, cape lilac, and myrtle holly. Popular plants that are often grown in the area include peppers, hostas, salvias, tomatoes, roses, hibiscus, and Japanese maples.[6]

History

Statesboro, Georgia, has a history that traces back to the colonial era. In 1758, the legislature divided the province of Georgia into eight parishes, with one of them being renamed Bulloch County in 1776 after Archibald Bulloch, the provincial governor. The town of Statesboro was established around 1803 on land donated by George Sibbald, a wealthy landowner from Augusta. The origin of the town’s name, initially “Statesborough” and later shortened to “Statesboro,” remains uncertain. One theory suggests that it pays homage to Thomas Jefferson and his advocacy for states’ rights during his presidency. The town was officially incorporated in 1866.[7]

Macon, Georgia, another city in the destination, was founded in 1823 on the Ocmulgee River. It evolved from the frontier Fort Hawkins, established in 1806 as a U.S. Army Fort and Indian Factory. Named after Nathaniel Macon, a North Carolinian statesman, the city is noted to preserve its historic neighborhoods with Greek Revival and Victorian-style homes. Before Fort Hawkins, European contact occurred when Hernando DeSoto explored the region in 1540. The Ocmulgee River witnessed North America’s first recorded Christian baptism when DeSoto’s priests baptized native children. Native Americans had inhabited the area for thousands of years prior, evident from archaeological finds at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. During the Civil War, Macon withstood Union General Stoneman’s attacks. Present-day Macon is known for its music heritage, architecture, arts, and educational opportunities. Its economy is driven by manufacturing, aeronautics, healthcare, and tourism, while the surrounding areas are noted for their agriculture.[8]