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Kennesaw, Georgia

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Kennesaw is a suburban city northwest of Atlanta in Cobb County, Georgia, United States, located within the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. Known from its original settlement in the 1830s until 1887 as Big Shanty, it became Kennesaw under its 1887 charter. According to the 2020 census, Kennesaw had a population of 33,036, a 10.9% increase in population over the preceding decade.[4] Kennesaw has an important place in railroad history. During the Civil War, Kennesaw was the staging ground for the Great Locomotive Chase on April 12, 1862. Kennesaw is home to Kennesaw State University, an R2 research institution and the third-largest public university in the state of Georgia.

Kennesaw
City
City of Kennesaw
Kennesaw City Hall
Kennesaw City Hall
Flag of Kennesaw
Flag
Official seal of Kennesaw
Seal
Official logo of Kennesaw
Logo
Map
Map
Map
Map
Coordinates: 34°1′24″N 84°36′55″W / 34.02333°N 84.61528°W / 34.02333; -84.61528
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyCobb
IncorporatedSeptember 21, 1887
Government
 • MayorDerek Easterling (R)
Area
[1]
 • Total
9.82 sq mi (25.43 km2)
 • Land9.71 sq mi (25.16 km2)
 • Water0.10 sq mi (0.26 km2)
Elevation
1,089 ft (332 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
33,036
 • Density3,400.51/sq mi (1,312.88/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
30144/30152
Area codes
FIPS code13-43192[2]
GNIS feature ID0316387[3]
Websitewww.kennesaw-ga.gov

Etymology

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The name "Kennesaw" is derived from the Cherokee word gah-nee-sah, meaning 'cemetery' or 'burial ground'.[5]

History

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As the Western and Atlantic Railroad was being built in the late 1830s, shanty towns arose to house the workers. These were near a big spring. A grade up from the Etowah River became known as "the big grade to the shanties", then "Big Shanty Grade", and finally "Big Shanty".[6]

Civil War

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Camp MacDonald, a training camp, was located there from 1861 to 1863.[7]

During the Civil War, Big Shanty was the site of major fighting in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, part of the larger Atlanta Campaign. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park,[8] located southeast of the city limits, now contains many of these historic areas. Much of the surrounding land has been developed, and many of the buried artifacts have been searched for and taken by people with metal detectors.[9] Some artifacts of the Civil War are still on display in the visitor center of Kennesaw Mountain.[10]

Later history

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L.C. Chalker purchased a 1.25-acre (0.51 ha) tract of land adjacent to the Kennesaw Cemetery from J.W. Ellis in 1934, which was sold for burial purposes. Chalker purchased another 1 acre (0.40 ha) adjacent to the first parcel in 1948, which was also to be used for a cemetery. The Chalker family managed these portions of the cemetery until they were sold to the City of Kennesaw in the mid-1950s. The earliest known burial is the infant Lucius B. Summers, who was interred in 1863. Other grave markers date as far back as the 1860s to the 1890s. Civil War veterans are buried here. The Kennesaw Cemetery is still in use.[11]

In March 2004, First Lady Laura Bush designated Kennesaw a Preserve America Community.[12]

Geography

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Kennesaw is located in northwestern Cobb County, bordered by the city of Acworth to the northwest. Kennesaw Mountain is located southeast of the city limits in the battlefield park. Its summit is the highest point in the Atlanta metro area, at an elevation of 1,808 feet (551 m) above sea level. The city was renamed for the mountain.

U.S. Route 41 and State Route 3 pass through the city as Cobb Parkway, leading southeast 7 miles (11 km) to Marietta and northwest 17 miles (27 km) to Cartersville. Interstate 75 passes just northeast of the city limits, with access from exits 269, 271, and 273. Via I-75, downtown Atlanta is 27 miles (43 km) to the southeast, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, is 94 miles (151 km) northwest.

The iconic peaks of Kennesaw Mountain are visible from the bridge over Interstate 75 that crosses over the city limits of Kennesaw.[13]

According to the United States Census Bureau, Kennesaw has a total area of 9.5 square miles (24.7 km2), of which 9.4 square miles (24.4 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km2), or 1.08%, is water.[14]

Climate

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Kennesaw has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfa). On November 22, 1992, an F-4 tornado caused 34 injuries.[citation needed]

Climate data for Kennesaw, Georgia
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 80
(27) 		81
(27) 		89
(32) 		93
(34) 		96
(36) 		101
(38) 		104
(40) 		104
(40) 		99
(37) 		92
(33) 		86
(30) 		80
(27) 		104
(40)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 52
(11) 		56
(13) 		64
(18) 		73
(23) 		80
(27) 		87
(31) 		89
(32) 		88
(31) 		83
(28) 		73
(23) 		64
(18) 		54
(12) 		72
(22)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 30
(−1) 		33
(1) 		39
(4) 		46
(8) 		55
(13) 		64
(18) 		68
(20) 		67
(19) 		60
(16) 		48
(9) 		39
(4) 		32
(0) 		48
(9)
Record low °F (°C) −12
(−24) 		−2
(−19) 		7
(−14) 		21
(−6) 		32
(0) 		40
(4) 		50
(10) 		48
(9) 		30
(−1) 		22
(−6) 		9
(−13) 		−4
(−20) 		−12
(−24)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.86
(123) 		5.36
(136) 		5.07
(129) 		3.93
(100) 		4.12
(105) 		4.07
(103) 		5.10
(130) 		4.35
(110) 		4.10
(104) 		3.42
(87) 		4.30
(109) 		4.49
(114) 		54.63
(1,388)
Source: [15]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880244—
1890168−31.1%
190032090.5%
191057379.1%
1920467−18.5%
1930426−8.8%
19404362.3%
195056429.4%
19601,507167.2%
19703,548135.4%
19805,09543.6%
19908,93675.4%
200021,675142.6%
201029,78337.4%
202033,03610.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]

2020 census

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Kennesaw racial composition[17]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 17,102 51.77%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 7,848 23.76%
Native American 67 0.2%
Asian 1,626 4.92%
Pacific Islander 17 0.05%
Other/Mixed 2,119 6.41%
Hispanic or Latino 4,257 12.89%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 33,036 people, 12,803 households, and 8,250 families residing in the city.

2010 census

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As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 29,783 people, 11,413 households, and 7,375 families residing in the city. There were 12,328 housing units at an average density of 1,027.3 per square mile (396.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 58.9% White, 22.3% Black, 10.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race, 5.3% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 0.02% Pacific Islander (U.S. Census), 4.7% of other races, and 3.0% non-Hispanic mixed of two or more races.

There were 11,413 households, out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

Economy

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Personal income

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The median income for a household in the city was $61,355 and the median income for a family was $75,465. Males had a median income of $46,953, versus $42,809 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,165. About 8.2% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

Tourism

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Several festivals are held annually. Every April the annual Big Shanty Festival displays over 200 arts and crafts booths along with 20 food booths downtown featuring several local businesses and entrepreneurs. Over 60,000 people from around North Georgia attend the festival. The festival begins with a parade through downtown.[18]

Government

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The city hall[19] is located downtown, just off Main Street (old U.S. 41 and State Route 3, later State Route 293). It contains the offices of mayor and city council, a basement jail, a municipal 9-1-1 call center and other offices. It is the public-safety answering point for the city of Kennesaw and the neighboring city of Acworth, and dispatches the separate police departments of both cities. Calls for fire services are relayed to and dispatched from Cobb County's 911 center,[20] and serviced by the Cobb County Fire Department, as neither city has its own fire department.

Wireless Internet in city parks

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In 2008, the city of Kennesaw awarded a bid to Digitel Wireless for the implementation of city wireless Internet. In March 2008, the city of Kennesaw announced the grand opening of four new wireless areas: Swift-Cantrell Park and Adams Park, and the train depot area across from the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. The city has also provided Wi-Fi in the Ben Robertson Community Center.[21]

Crime statistics

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In 2001, violent crime rates were about 60% below national and state rates. Property crime rates were from 46–56% below national and state rates. From 1999 to 2011, Kennesaw crime statistics reported that both property and violent crimes had decreased, though from 2003 to 2008 the trend in both violent and property crime rates slightly increased.[22] The increase in crime rate overall is attributed to the population growth rate of 37.41%. The population growth rate is much higher than the state average rate of 18.34% and is much higher than the national average rate of 9.71%.[23]

County services

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The Cobb County Public Library System operates a Kennesaw branch library. The Cobb County Police Department serves unincorporated areas, including the Town Center Area Community Improvement District and Kennesaw State University (in addition to KSU's own police).

Gun law

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Kennesaw is noted for its unique firearms legislation, passed in response to a handgun ban in Morton Grove, Illinois. In 1982 the city passed an ordinance [Sec 34-21]:[24]

(a) In order to provide for the emergency management of the city, and further in order to provide for and protect the safety, security and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants, every head of household residing in the city limits is required to maintain a firearm, together with ammunition therefore. (b) Exempt from the effect of this section are those heads of households who suffer a physical or mental disability which would prohibit them from using such a firearm. Further exempt from the effect of this section are those heads of households who are paupers or who conscientiously oppose maintaining firearms as a result of beliefs or religious doctrine, or persons convicted of a felony.

 
Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History

A similar law was passed in 2000 in the city of Virgin, Utah, making it the second city in the United States to require residents to own guns.[25] Nelson, Georgia; Nucla, Colorado; and Gun Barrel City, Texas, also followed suit.[26]

Local attractions

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Education

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Public schools are operated by the Cobb County School District.

Elementary schools include Big Shanty Intermediate.,[29] Bullard,[30] Chalker,[31] Hayes,[32] Kennesaw,[33] and Lewis.[34]

Middle schools include Awtrey,[35] Lost Mountain,[36] McClure,[37] Palmer,[38] and Pine Mountain.[39]

High schools include Harrison High School,[40] Kennesaw Mountain,[41] North Cobb,[42] and Kennesaw Charter Science & Math Academy.[43]

Private schools include Sunbrook Academy at Legacy Park,[44] Sunbrook Academy at Stilesboro, and Mount Paran Christian School.

Kennesaw State University is located within the city and is part of the University System of Georgia.

Sports

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In 2016, the Atlanta Blaze of Major League Lacrosse spent their first year of play as an expansion franchise with home games at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on the campus of Kennesaw State University.[45] The team relocated in 2019.

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 27, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  5. ^ Martin, Christopher; King, David (2014). "Digital Commons Kennesaw". 2014 Faculty Bookshelf. KSU.edu. Archived from the original on February 8, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  6. ^ "How Big Shanty Got Its Name". Trade Day News. Kennesaw, Georgia. April 23–24, 1977. p. 9.
  7. ^ "Georgia Forts: page 7". www.northamericanforts.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  8. ^ "Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park – Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park". Nps.gov. Archived from the original on October 13, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  9. ^ Kennesaw, Mailing Address: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr; Us, GA 30152 Phone: 770-427-4686 x0 Contact. "Relic Hunting and Metal Detecting - Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved October 29, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Kennesaw, Mailing Address: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr; Us, GA 30152 Phone: 770-427-4686 x0 Contact. "Basic Information - Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved October 29, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Zavattaro, Staci M. (June 1, 2020), "Cemetery Potpourri", City Sextons, New York: Routledge, pp. 78–92, doi:10.4324/9780429285967-7, ISBN 978-0-429-28596-7, S2CID 242425155, retrieved October 29, 2020
  12. ^ "Preserve America – Explore and Enjoy Our Heritage". Preserveamerica.gov. July 3, 2012. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  13. ^ "Bridge over I-75 - News | KSU". news.kennesaw.edu. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  14. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Kennesaw city, Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  15. ^ "Monthly Averages for Kennesaw, GA (30152)". Archived from the original on May 3, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  16. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  17. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  18. ^ "Big Shanty Festival | Kennesaw.com". Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  19. ^ (34°01′24″N 84°37′00″W / 34.0233°N 84.6167°W / 34.0233; -84.6167 (Kennesaw City Hall))
  20. ^ "911 Home Page". 911.cobbcountyga.gov. Archived from the original on April 11, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  21. ^ "Kennesaw Wi-Fi". Kennesaw Wi-Fi. Archived from the original on August 9, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  22. ^ "Kennesaw Crime Rate Report (Georgia)". Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  23. ^ "Kennesaw Population and Races (Georgia)". Archived from the original on March 3, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  24. ^ "Sec. 34-21. - Heads of households to maintain firearms". library.municode.com. Municode Library. Archived from the original on August 29, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  25. ^ "Town in Utah Requires Owning Guns". ABC News. November 5, 2000. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  26. ^ Finefrock, Amelia (December 20, 2018). "5 American Cities That Require You To Own A Gun". BrainCharm. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  27. ^ "USA Today Travel". Travel Tips - USA Today. Archived from the original on March 4, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  28. ^ "About the Gallery | Archives, Rare Books & Records Management". Web.kennesaw.edu. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  29. ^ "Big Shanty Intermediate School". www.cobbk12.org. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  30. ^ "Bullard Elementary School". www.cobbk12.org. Archived from the original on August 11, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  31. ^ "Chalker Elementary School". www.cobbk12.org. Archived from the original on August 28, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  32. ^ "Hayes Elementary School". www.cobbk12.org. Archived from the original on August 23, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  33. ^ "Kennesaw Elementary School". www.cobbk12.org. Archived from the original on August 15, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  34. ^ "Lewis Elementary School". www.cobbk12.org. Archived from the original on August 22, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  35. ^ "Awtrey Middle School". awtreyvikings.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  36. ^ "Lost Mountain Middle School". www.cobbk12.org. Archived from the original on August 13, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  37. ^ "McClure Middle School- Home of the Mavericks". www.cobbk12.org. Archived from the original on August 10, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  38. ^ "Palmer Middle School". www.cobbk12.org. Archived from the original on August 22, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  39. ^ "Pine Mountain Middle School". www.cobbk12.org. Archived from the original on August 9, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  40. ^ "Home - Harrison High School". www.harrisonhigh.org. Archived from the original on February 15, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  41. ^ "Kennesaw Mountain High School". www.cobbk12.org. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  42. ^ "North Cobb High School". www.cobbk12.org. Archived from the original on August 9, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  43. ^ ".: Kennesaw Charter". kennesawcharter.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  44. ^ "Daycare in Kennesaw, Georgia - Sunbrook Academy at Legacy Park". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  45. ^ "Major League Lacrosse". www.majorleaguelacrosse.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  46. ^ "My Most Memorable Game - Darvin Adams". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. March 1, 2021.
  47. ^ "How This Transgender Supermodel Found Love". www.advocate.com. November 3, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
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  52. ^ Mizelle, Shawna (August 15, 2023). "Who is Scott McAfee, the judge assigned to oversee Trump case in Georgia?". CNN. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
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  56. ^ "'MacGyver' reboot films at Austell restaurant". Marietta Daily Journal. January 17, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
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