About Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta History/Facts
The Seminole and Creek Indians were the first settlers in what would later become Lowndes County. The county's first "visitors" were Hernando de Soto and his band of explorers, who passed through the area in 1540. In 1821, Lowndes County was created by dividing Irwin County into two parts. A state land lottery in 1820 opened the area for settlers, and five years later, on December 23, 1825, Lowndes County was officially created by legislative act.
The county was named after William Jones Lowndes, a distinguished lawyer, statesman, and soldier from South Carolina, who was nominated for the presidency but declined due to ill health. Franklinville became the first county seat(in 1828) and was moved to Lowndesville(the name of the town was later changed to Troupville). In 1860, a railroad route from Savannah, GA to Mobile, AL forced the town to relocate. Troupville citizens named the new settlement "Valdosta" in honor of former Georgia Governor George Troup, who owned an estate he named Val d' Aosta after a district in the mountains of northwest Italy. Valdosta was incorporated on December 7, 1860. Later that year, when Georgia seceded and became part of the Confederacy, Lowndes County was not slow to do its part, as shown by military records. The Militia fought bravely at Fredericksburg, Sharpsburg, and Harper's Ferry. When the era of Reconstruction began, Valdosta grew steadily thanks in large part to fertile farming land and a number of railroad lines connecting Valdosta to cities such as Macon, GA and Jacksonville, FL.
Present-day Valdosta is the epitome of a progressive, middle-sized American city. It is the center of a multi-county trade area and has a strong agri-industrial base. Without the problems of big-city life, Valdosta offers the best of everything necessary for comfortable living in a pleasant climate.
Demographic Information
Population:
According to 1998 Census population estimates, the City of Valdosta had a population of 41,390 persons. Between 1980 and 1990, the city experienced a population growth of 6.5%, compared to the state growth during this period of 18.6%.
Economy:
Between 1994 and 1998 the City of Valdosta experienced an average unemployment rate of 4.9%, compared with the state's average of 4.7%. In 1989, the median household income was $21,864 for the City of Valdosta. Statewide, the median household income was $29,021.
Health:
Lowndes County contains two hospitals which offer a total of 359 beds. There is 1 psychiatric hospital with 70 beds, and 5 nursing homes in the area. The City of Valdosta and Lowndes County also boast 125 M.D.s and 34 dentists.
Education:
Lowndes County offers 9 county public schools with 588 teachers and over 9,000 students. There are also 9 city public schools with 456 teachers and 7,000 students. Thirteen area private schools add 1,151 students. In addition, Valdosta State University, the center of higher education in South Georgia, boasts an enrollment of over 9,000 students.
Public School Systems
Lowndes County Schools (229) 245-2250
Valdosta City Schools (229) 333-8500

Private Schools
Eastside Training Academy (229) 247-1952
Georgia Christian (229) 559-5131
St. John Catholic (229) 244-2556
Southland Christian School (229) 245-8111
Valwood School (229) 242-8491

Universities and Technical Institutes
Valdosta State University (229) 333-5791
GMC Community College (229) 293-6000
Valdosta Technical College (229) 333-2100
South Georgia Regional Consortium (229) 293-6247
Tourism and Retail Trade:
Valdosta is the trade center for a ten-county area. In 1999, Lowndes County retail sales alone were $1,076,280,000. Valdosta also serves as a major stop-over point for tourists traveling Interstate 75, with more than 3,000 motel rooms and more than 150 restaurants in Lowndes County.
Agriculture:
The major agricultural crops are bright leaf tobacco, truck crops, corn, hay, soy beans, peaches, and pecans. Timber and pulpwood are plentiful. Beef cattle production is also predominant.
Job Opportunities
Top 10 employers of the area:

Moody Air Force Base(Military): 4,700
South Georgia Medical Center(Hospital): 2,161
Valdosta State University(Education): 1,458
Lowndes County School System(Education): 1,069
Valdosta City School System(Education): 950
Convergys (Call Center): 658
Lowe's Distribution Center(Distribution): 600
Crackin' Good Bakers, Inc. (Cookies): 500
Lowndes County(Government): 500
City of Valdosta(Government): 500
Employment Services

Ad-VANCE Personnel Services, Inc. (229) 794-1149
Experience Works (229) 244-4465
Goodwill Industries of South Georgia, Inc. (229) 432-0551
Kelly Services, Inc. (229) 242-1181
Labor Finders of Valdosta (229) 247-5593
Labor Ready (229) 259-9299
Manpower Services (229) 241-8003
National Workforce, Inc. (229) 436-2001
ORBIS Staffing (229) 245-8222
Suwannee Medical Staffing (229) 219-0202
Teamtemps Personnel Staffing, Inc. (229) 247-8367
Workforce Personnel Services (229) 253-1184
Recreation
Facilities: 28 tennis courts, 20 parks, 3 golf courses, 5 swimming pools, 2 country clubs, 9 recreational parks, 18 "mini" parks, and 30 public athletic facilities.
State Parks: Reed Bingham State Park, with swimming, fishing, camping, water skiing, motor boating, and nature trails.
Public Lake/River: Alapaha River has fishing and canoeing. Little River has swimming, fishing, camping, water skiing and motor boating. Withlacoochee River has fishing and canoeing.
Yearly Events: Valdosta Garden Club's Antique Show, Winnersville Classic, Crescent Center Garden Club Camellia Show, Junior Service League's Christmas Arts & Crafts Show, Jack Oliver Open Golf Tournament, Triple Crown Softball Classic, and the Arts Festival are just a few of Lowndes County's exciting events.
Utilities
Electricity
Georgia Power - 1-888-660-5890
Colquitt Electric - (229) 244-6893
Telephone
BellSouth - (229) 780-2355
Cable
MediaCom - (229) 244-4400
Water
Valdosta Water & Sewer - (229) 259-3510
Hahira Water & Sewer - (229) 794-2330
Lowndes County Water & Sewer - (229) 333-5116
Sanitation
Valdosta - (912) 259-3590
Hahira - (229) 794-2330
Lowndes County - (229) 333-5116

Information obtained from Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce