Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Fort Oglethorpe is a city in Catoosa County
in the U.S. state
of Georgia
. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 9,263. It is part of the Chattanooga
, TN
–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area
. In 2004, Fort Oglethorpe annexed an additional portion of Walker County.
, the base was later named Fort Oglethorpe
after James Oglethorpe
, the founder of the Colony of Georgia
. The base served largely as a cavalry post for the 6th Cavalry. During World War I
and World War II
, it served a war-time induction and processing center, and also housed prisoners of war. Fort Oglethorpe was a major training center for the Women's Army Corps
during World War II. The post was declared surplus in 1947 and sold to civilians, forming the nucleus for a city that was incorporated in 1949.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 13 square miles (33.7 km²), all of it land.
was 532.6 people per square mile (205.6/km²). There were 3,108 housing units at an average density of 238.5 per square mile (92.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.14% White, 2.38% African American, 0.19% Native American, 2.07% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races
, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.41% of the population.
There were 2,873 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples
living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 82.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,095, and the median income for a family was $40,643. Males had a median income of $28,160 versus $21,141 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,288. About 11.5% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.8% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.
Catoosa County, Georgia
Catoosa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 5, 1853. As of 2000, the population was 53,282. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 62,241...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 9,263. It is part of the Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
, TN
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area
Chattanooga metropolitan area
The Chattanooga Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of six counties – three in southeast Tennessee and three in northwest Georgia – anchored by the city of Chattanooga...
. In 2004, Fort Oglethorpe annexed an additional portion of Walker County.
History
Established as Chickamauga Post in 1902 by United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, the base was later named Fort Oglethorpe
Fort Oglethorpe (Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia)
Fort Oglethorpe was an Army post established in 1902 and opened in 1904. It served largely as a cavalry post for the 6th Cavalry. During World War I Fort Oglethorpe was home to 4,000 German Prisoners of War and civilian detainees. During World War I and World War II, it became a war-time...
after James Oglethorpe
James Oglethorpe
James Edward Oglethorpe was a British general, member of Parliament, philanthropist, and founder of the colony of Georgia...
, the founder of the Colony of Georgia
Province of Georgia
The Province of Georgia was one of the Southern colonies in British America. It was the last of the thirteen original colonies established by Great Britain in what later became the United States...
. The base served largely as a cavalry post for the 6th Cavalry. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it served a war-time induction and processing center, and also housed prisoners of war. Fort Oglethorpe was a major training center for the Women's Army Corps
Women's Army Corps
The Women's Army Corps was the women's branch of the US Army. It was created as an auxiliary unit, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps on 15 May 1942 by Public Law 554, and converted to full status as the WAC in 1943...
during World War II. The post was declared surplus in 1947 and sold to civilians, forming the nucleus for a city that was incorporated in 1949.
Geography
Fort Oglethorpe is located at 34°56′44"N 85°14′44"W (34.945683, -85.245653).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 13 square miles (33.7 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the 2000 U.S. census, there were 6,940 people, 2,873 households, and 1,881 families residing in the city. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 532.6 people per square mile (205.6/km²). There were 3,108 housing units at an average density of 238.5 per square mile (92.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.14% White, 2.38% African American, 0.19% Native American, 2.07% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.41% of the population.
There were 2,873 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 82.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,095, and the median income for a family was $40,643. Males had a median income of $28,160 versus $21,141 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,288. About 11.5% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.8% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.