Moving to Folkston, Georgia

Folkston, Georgia has a population of 2,165 as of the 2010 census. It is located in Charlton County and is bordered by the Okefenokee Swamp. The city’s climate is characterized by hot and humid summers, mild winters, and frequent thunderstorms.

Folkston has a rich history that dates back to the early 1800s when it was first settled by European immigrants. The city was officially incorporated in 1891. During the Civil War, Folkston served as an important supply depot for Confederate troops stationed in nearby Florida.

Politics in Folkston are dominated by the Republican Party and its elected officials are largely conservative on social issues. The city also has a strong economic base with many businesses located downtown and along US Highway 1.

Education is highly valued in Folkston with two public schools offering classes from kindergarten through twelfth grade. There are also several private schools and institutions of higher education located nearby including Coastal Georgia Community College and Stetson University College of Law.

Folkston also boasts some impressive landmarks such as the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park where visitors can take part in activities like camping, hiking, bird watching, kayaking, fishing, and nature photography. Additionally, there’s a large sculpture depicting folk heroes from Charlton County located at the intersection of US Highway 1 and Georgia Highway 40 that draws tourists from all over the world to Folkston each year.

Folkston, the county seat of Charlton County, was founded on August 19, 1911. The city was named for a predominant family in the Charlton County area.

For a number of years, the city of Folkston was the self-proclaimed “Marriage Capital of the World”. The city embraced this nickname because Floridans who could not endure their state’s waiting period before tying the knot would cross the state line to wed.

The Folkston courthouse, build in the late 1920s, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Also the Folkston Railroad Depot, built in 1903, is a museum of railroad artifacts housed with the Folkston-Charlton County Chamber of Commerce.

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge includes a restored swamp homestead, picnic facilities, a 4,000-foot boardwalk and an observation tower.

Folkston host the annual Okefenokee Festival held every October.

Folkston participates in the Better Hometown Program run by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. This community development program is a public-private partnership intended to revitalize small communities with populations between 1,000 and 5,000. These cities have access to technical assistance and fiscal resources designed to stimulate downtown revitalization.

Population: 2,178
Males: 981 (45.0%), Females: 1,197 (55.0%)

Charlton County

Zip code: 31537

Demographics

Median resident age: 35.7 years
Median household income: $21,840
Median house value: $65,500

Population by Race

Races in Folkston:

• Black (51.5%)
• White Non-Hispanic (46.1%)
• Two or more races (1.5%)
• American Indian (1.1%)
• Hispanic (0.9%)

Ancestries: United States (10.5%), English (9.8%), Irish (5.6%), German (2.3%), Scottish (2.2%), Subsaharan African (1.5%).

Elevation: 81 feet

Land area: 3.6 square miles

Population by Education

Folkston, Georgia is a small city located in Charlton County with a population of approximately 2,500. It is situated near the Okefenokee Swamp and the St. Marys River. The city has a rich history, dating back to its founding in 1887. Today, Folkston is known for its friendly small-town atmosphere and outdoor recreational opportunities. The population of Folkston is diverse and includes people from many different backgrounds and cultures. The majority of residents are Caucasian, but there are also African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American people living in the area. Additionally, there are many retirees who have chosen to live in the area due to its low cost of living and mild climate. In terms of education level, most residents have either a high school diploma or some college experience; however, there are also many individuals who hold higher degrees such as associate’s degrees or bachelor’s degrees. The median household income in Folkston is slightly lower than the national

For population 25 years and over in Folkston

• High school or higher: 58.7%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.4%
• Graduate or professional degree: 4.1%
• Unemployed: 10.4%
• Mean travel time to work: 28.8 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Folkston city

• Never married: 23.4%
• Now married: 50.9%
• Separated: 3.9%
• Widowed: 12.0%
• Divorced: 9.7%

2.0% Foreign born

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Folkston:

• CHARLTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (1203 NORTH THIRD STREET)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Folkston:

• CAMDEN MEDICAL CENTER (about 31 miles; SAINT MARYS, GA)
• SATILLA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 36 miles; WAYCROSS, GA)
• SHANDS JACKSONVILLE MEDICAL CENTER (about 40 miles; JACKSONVILLE, FL)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Folkston:

• JACKSONVILLE INTL (about 33 miles; JACKSONVILLE, FL; Abbreviation: JAX)
• BRUNSWICK GOLDEN ISLES (about 48 miles; BRUNSWICK, GA; Abbreviation: BQK)
• ST AUGUSTINE (about 77 miles; ST AUGUSTINE, FL; Abbreviation: SGJ)

Other public-use airports nearest to Folkston:

• DAVIS FIELD (about 4 miles; FOLKSTON, GA; Abbreviation: 3J6)
• HILLIARD AIRPARK (about 13 miles; HILLIARD, FL; Abbreviation: 01J)
• BRANTLEY COUNTY (about 27 miles; NAHUNTA, GA; Abbreviation: 4J1)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Folkston:

• FLORIDA COMMUNITY COLLEGE AT JACKSONVILLE (about 43 miles; JACKSONVILLE, FL; Full-time enrollment: 10,495)
• UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA (about 53 miles; JACKSONVILLE, FL; Full-time enrollment: 9,256)
• UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (about 83 miles; GAINESVILLE, FL; Full-time enrollment: 41,543)
• SAINT JOHNS RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 84 miles; PALATKA, FL; Full-time enrollment: 2,509)
• SANTA FE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 85 miles; GAINESVILLE, FL; Full-time enrollment: 7,942)
• VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 89 miles; VALDOSTA, GA; Full-time enrollment: 7,157)
• ARMSTRONG ATLANTIC STATE UNIVERSITY (about 97 miles; SAVANNAH, GA; Full-time enrollment: 3,945)

Schools

Public high school in Folkston:

• CHARLTON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 923; Location: 500 INDIAN TRAIL; Grades: 07 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Folkston:

• FOLKSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 514; Location: HIGHWAY 121; Grades: 03 – 06)
• BETHUNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 399; Location: SIXTH STREET EXTENSION; Grades: PK – 02)
• CHARLTON ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAM (Location: 501 INDIAN TRAIL; Grades: 00 – 00)