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Smyrna, Georgia

(Redirected from Ruff's Station)

Smyrna is a city in Cobb County, Georgia, United States. It is located northwest of Atlanta, and is in the inner ring of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. It is included in the Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Alpharetta MSA, which is included in the Atlanta–Athens-Clarke–Sandy Springs CSA.

Smyrna, Georgia
City
Smyrna City Hall
Smyrna City Hall
Flag of Smyrna, Georgia
Flag
Official seal of Smyrna, Georgia
Seal
Map
Map
Map
Map
Location in Cobb County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 33°52′19″N 84°31′6″W / 33.87194°N 84.51833°W / 33.87194; -84.51833
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyCobb
Established1832
Government
 • MayorDerek Norton
Area
[1]
 • Total
15.61 sq mi (40.42 km2)
 • Land15.56 sq mi (40.31 km2)
 • Water0.042 sq mi (0.11 km2)
Elevation
1,060 ft (323 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total
55,663
 • Density3,576/sq mi (1,381/km2)
DemonymSmyrnite[3]
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
30080–30082, 30126[4]
Area codes770/678/470
FIPS code13-71492[5]
GNIS feature ID0356541[6]
Websitesmyrnaga.gov

From 2000 to 2012, Smyrna grew by 28%. Historically it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state, and one of the most densely populated cities in the metropolitan area.[7] In the 2020 Census, Smyrna's population was 55,663.[2]

History

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Pioneers began settling the area in 1832. By the late 1830s, a religious encampment called Smyrna Camp Ground had become a popular travel destination and was well known throughout Georgia. It is a Greek name for the Biblical city of Smyrna, modern day İzmir in Turkey, the home of the Christian martyr Polycarp. After the completion of the Western and Atlantic Railroad in 1842, the area began to grow. It was known by several names until 1872—Varner's Station, Ruff's Siding, Neal Dow, and Ruff's Station. The city was incorporated with the name Smyrna in 1872.[8]

Two Civil War battles occurred in the area, the Battle of Smyrna Camp Ground and the Battle of Ruff's Mill, both on July 4, 1864.[9] The area's businesses, homes, and 1849 covered bridge (since rebuilt and still in use today) were burned by Sherman's troops.

The nearby Bell Bomber plant that produced B-29 bombers during World War II was reopened by Lockheed in 1951, and became a catalyst for growth. The city's population grew during the next two decades, from 2,005 in 1950 to almost 20,000 by 1970.[citation needed]

Geography

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Smyrna is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area, located about 1 mile (1.6 km) northwest of the Atlanta city limits, and with Smyrna's downtown approximately 16 miles (26 km) from downtown Atlanta. Smyrna is located just west of the northern intersection of I-285 and I-75, which is the site of the edge city Cumberland and the Cobb Galleria.

Smyrna is bordered by Vinings to the east, Marietta to the north and west, and Mableton to the south and southwest. The city of Sandy Springs and the affluent Atlanta neighborhoods of Paces and Buckhead are approximately within 10 miles of Smyrna's center. Smyrna Heights is a neighborhood in Smyrna.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.4 square miles (39.9 km2), of which 15.4 square miles (39.8 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.23%, is water.[10] The general terrain of the area is characteristic of the Piedmont region of Georgia, characterized by hills with broad ridges, sloping uplands, and relatively narrow valleys.

Flora

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The city's official symbol is the jonquil (a flower). Known as the "Jonquil City", it derives this name from the thousands of jonquils that flourish in gardens and along the streets in early spring.

Climate

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Climate data for Smyrna, GA
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 79
(26)		 80
(27)		 89
(32)		 93
(34)		 97
(36)		 102
(39)		 105
(41)		 104
(40)		 102
(39)		 95
(35)		 84
(29)		 79
(26)		 105
(41)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 52
(11)		 57
(14)		 65
(18)		 73
(23)		 80
(27)		 86
(30)		 89
(32)		 88
(31)		 82
(28)		 73
(23)		 64
(18)		 54
(12)		 72
(22)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 34
(1)		 38
(3)		 44
(7)		 52
(11)		 60
(16)		 68
(20)		 71
(22)		 71
(22)		 65
(18)		 54
(12)		 45
(7)		 37
(3)		 53
(12)
Record low °F (°C) −8
(−22)		 −9
(−23)		 10
(−12)		 25
(−4)		 37
(3)		 39
(4)		 53
(12)		 55
(13)		 36
(2)		 28
(−2)		 3
(−16)		 0
(−18)		 −9
(−23)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.20
(107)		 4.83
(123)		 4.81
(122)		 3.36
(85)		 3.67
(93)		 3.95
(100)		 5.27
(134)		 3.90
(99)		 4.47
(114)		 3.41
(87)		 4.10
(104)		 3.90
(99)		 49.87
(1,267)
Source: [11]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880259—
189041660.6%
1900238−42.8%
1910599151.7%
192079132.1%
19301,17848.9%
19401,44022.2%
19502,00539.2%
196010,157406.6%
197019,15788.6%
198020,3126.0%
199030,98152.5%
200040,99932.3%
201051,26525.0%
202055,6638.6%
2025 (est.)57,513Increase3.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1850-1870[13] 1870-1880[14]
1890-1910[15] 1920-1930[16]
1940[17] 1950[18] 1960[19]
1970[20] 1980[21] 1990[22]
2000[23] 2010[24] 2020[2]
2025[25]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, Smyrna had a population of 55,663. There were 24,600 households and 13,669 families residing in the city. The median age was 35.4 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 10.6% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.5 males age 18 and over.[26][27]

Of the 24,600 households, 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Married-couple households accounted for 39.1% of all households, 20.1% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present, and 33.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 35.1% of households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[26]

There were 26,415 housing units, of which 6.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.1%.[26]

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.[28]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[27]
RaceNumberPercent
White25,39445.6%
Black or African American17,41531.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native2590.5%
Asian3,7246.7%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander260.0%
Some other race3,4446.2%
Two or more races5,4019.7%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)7,66513.8%

Personal income

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The median household income in 2018 was $73,788. The per capita income was $44,823, a 24.7% increase from 2000.

In 2018, the place with the highest median household income in Smyrna was census tract 312.09, with a value of $143,443, followed by census tracts 311.12 and 311.17, with respective values of $108,229 and $89,769.

Economy

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Industry

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The Atlanta Bread Company has its headquarters in Smyrna.[29]

Companies with an office include Eaton Corporation and IBM. Smyrna was the site of the corporate offices of the now-defunct World Championship Wrestling.

Top employers

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According to the city's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:[30]

# Employer Employees
1 United Distributors 800
2 Glock 638
3 UCB 499
4 Publix 384
5 City of Smyrna 381
6 RV Behavioral LLC 350
7 FedEx Freight 282
8 The Kroger Company 244
9 Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta 200
10 Delmar Gardens of Smyrna, LLC 183

On October 31, 2014, Emory Healthcare closed the Emory Adventist Hospital at Smyrna. They have since announced plans to renovate and reopen the hospital.[31]

Private projects

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Market Village

In 1991, the city began a community redevelopment project known as "Market Village," in order to create a well-defined downtown. Included were a community center and 28,000-square-foot (2,600 m2) public library. A mixed retail and residential district was modeled after an early 1900s city village, including a square with a fountain. This, and other expansions have revitalized the downtown area. Further redevelopment has occurred throughout the city—including thousands of new homes – mostly cluster homes, townhouse and condo communities replacing older neighborhoods.[32][33] The population has risen as a result of redevelopment, a few annexations, and Smyrna's location as a residential suburb in the Northwest center of metro Atlanta.[34][35]

Public projects

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In September 2019, the James M. Cox Foundation gave $6 million to the PATH Foundation, which will connect the Silver Comet Trail terminus in Smyrna to the Atlanta Beltline. It is expected to be completed by 2022. The combined length of the Silver Comet and the Beltline will make it the longest paved trail surface in the U.S., totaling approximately 300 miles (480 kilometers); one could travel from Atlanta to Anniston, Alabama via the trail alone.[36]

Arts and culture

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Jonquil Park

Market Village in the city center often has open-air concerts and festivals. There are also various small parks such as Cobb Park, public pools such as Aline Wolfe Center for the elderly and Tolleson park pool for all ages, tennis courts and playgrounds and a linear park with walking trail along Spring Road.

The ARTery is a community-driven public art initiative in Smyrna, located primarily in the downtown area, with key installations around Jonquil Plaza and the Village Green.[37]

The city operates the Smyrna Public Library, the only library in the county which is not a part of the Cobb County Public Library System.

Government

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Municipal

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The city is governed by a seven-member council, elected by wards, and a mayor elected at-large.[38] Max Bacon served as the mayor of Smyrna starting in 1985; in July 2019 he announced his retirement from city politics.[39] The current mayor is Derek Norton, who took office January 6, 2020. Norton previously served on the City Council since 2015.[40] Like most municipalities in the state of Georgia, elective city offices in Smyrna are nonpartisan.

Education

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Public schools

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Public schooling in Smyrna falls under the jurisdiction of the Cobb County School District. The city's students are served by 12 of the district's schools. The largest schools by enrollment are:[41]

Private schools

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Several private schools are inside Smyrna's city limits, including St. Benedict's Episcopal School,[42] Covenant Christian School, Whitefield Academy,[43] and a satellite campus of Buckhead Preparatory Academy.

Media

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Smyrna and Vinings' community newspaper is The Bright Side. It is dedicated to publishing positive events that occur in Cobb County.[44]

The restaurant scene in the film Joyful Noise was shot at Howard's Restaurant in Smyrna in 2011.[45]

Infrastructure

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Transportation

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Several major roadways, such as I-285, Cobb Parkway (U.S. Route 41), Atlanta Road (Old State Route 3), and South Cobb Drive (State Route 280), pass through the municipality.[citation needed]

Smyrna is served by CobbLinc and MARTA public buses.[citation needed]

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. 1 2 3 "Smyrna city, Georgia". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  3. ↑ Raskin, Hanna. "The Complex Legacy of an Anti-Black Restaurant Slated for Demolition". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Smyrna Zipcodes". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  5. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Smyrna". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  7. ↑ "City of Smyrna: Community Development". City of Smyrna. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015.
  8. ↑ Cauley, H.M. "Insider's guide to Smyrna". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Georgia Historical Society: Battle of Smyrna". Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Smyrna city, Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved July 29, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. ↑ "Monthly Averages for Smyrna, GA (30080)". Weather.com. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ↑ "1870 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1870.
  14. ↑ "1880 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  15. ↑ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  16. ↑ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930. pp. 251–256.
  17. ↑ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  18. ↑ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  19. ↑ "1960 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1960.
  20. ↑ "1970 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1970.
  21. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  22. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1990.
  23. ↑ "2000 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  24. ↑ "2010 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2010.
  25. ↑ Origin= "2025 City and town population estimates: Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau. May 14, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2025. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  26. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  27. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  28. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Bread. The man, not the band". Atlanta Bread. Archived from the original on September 18, 2009. Retrieved September 16, 2009.
  30. ↑ "City of Smyrna ACFR". smyrnacity.com. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Emory Healthcare Will Renovate and Reopen Shuttered Emory-Adventist Hospital". February 29, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Smyrna Market Village". SmyrnaVinings.com. December 5, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Smyrna Real Estate & Smyrna Homes For Sale". Trulia.com. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Top 100 Neighborhoods in Metro Atlanta". newcomeratlanta.com. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Population in the U.S. – Google Public Data Explorer". Google.ca. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  36. ↑ Lutz, Meris; Journal-Constitution, The Atlanta. "Cox gives $6 million to connect Silver Comet to Atlanta". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Public Art".
  38. ↑ Bruce, Matt. "Key city elections to watch in Cobb County". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  39. ↑ Willis, Haisten (July 11, 2019). "Bacon bows out of reelection bid". Cobb County Courier. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  40. ↑ Dixon, Kristal. "Smyrna's new mayor to advocate for a 'refresh' of downtown". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  41. ↑ "School List". Great!Schools.org. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Independent School Preschool - 8th Grade | St. Benedict's | United States". St. Benedict's. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  43. ↑ Nouryeh-Clay, Elizabeth (September 7, 2021). "'Others ahead of self' Whitefield Academy students volunteer with more than 30 nonprofits for Great Day of Service". Northside Neighbor. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  44. ↑ "The Bright Side Community Newspaper – Smyrna, GA". Bright Side Cobb. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  45. ↑ "Hollywood Food Fight Makes A 'Joyful Noise' At Howard's". Smyrna-vinings, Georgia Patch. March 7, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  46. ↑ "Bob Barr Biography". Biography.com. Retrieved January 19, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  47. ↑ "Julia Robert". IMDb.com. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  48. ↑ "The Comebacks Kid: Ron Gant Has Already Won the Award Once, but a Year After Motorcycle Accident, Reds' All-Star Is Almost a Lock". Articles.latimes.com. July 9, 1995. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  49. ↑ "Benn Jordan (@bennjordan) – Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  50. ↑ Saxon, Wolfgang (July 21, 1993). "Eschel Rhoodie, a South African At Center of Scandal, Dies at 60". The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  51. ↑ Moon, Jacorey (August 4, 2020). "645AR: The Squeak Heard Around the World". Office. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
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