What’s most notable about Savannah is that it is the oldest city in Georgia, having been established in 1733. Savannah serves as the county seat of Chatham County and serves an important role as an industrial center and seaport.
Savannah Population Statistics
Today, Savannah’s port and tourism are the main drivers of the economy. Savannah is also one of the largest ports for shipping container traffic and is home to many company headquarters including TitleMax and JCB. Many students also call Savannah home as it is the location of several universities and colleges, including Armstrong State University, Savannah State University and Savannah College of Art and Design.
Savannah Population Growth
Savannah has seen its share of ups and downs when it comes to population. While the city saw significant growth throughout many decades, the census taken at 1970 showed that the population declined by over 20%. It bounced back almost entirely by the time of the next census but was down again during the poll taken in 1990 and 2000. At the time of the last census taken in 2010, the population was up 3.6%. Recent estimates show that the city’s growth is on the upswing again, up 7.7% since the last census in 2016 and almost reaching its peak population recorded at the time of the 1960 census.
Savannah was first founded in 1733 with the arrival of General James Oglethorpe and other settlers. Before the arrival of the Europeans, the area was inhabited by Yamacraws and Tomochichi. The Georgia colony was also founded on the same date as the founding of Savannah. It was in 1751 when Savannah was made the capital of Georgia. By the late 1800s, it was also an important commercial port.
The city was seized by the British during the Revolutionary War, who later left in 1782. The city continued to grow, and through the 19th century, it was one of the most prosperous seaports in the country as well as one of the most populous cities of the Confederacy. However, toward the end of the century, the population began to drop. Also notable is that during the 19th century, Savannah State University was founded. It is the oldest public college for African Americans in the state.
The city continued to thrive as a seaport and cashed in on the cotton industry. The city became even more prosperous with the entry into the heavy industry and manufacturing sectors in the late 1800s and early 1900s. During the early 1900s, the city’s population began to grow again, while more people were also moving to areas outside of the city center.
Today, the city is a popular tourist destination. Its cobblestone streets and historic buildings are just a few of the many attractions that bring in visitors every year. Other notable attractions include the home of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low and the Telfair Academy of Arts and Science, which is one of the South’s first museums that was open to the public. The downtown area of Savannah is designated as a National Historic Landmark District and is one of the largest in the United States.