Alma is a city in Bacon County, Georgia, United States, and the county seat. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 3,433. Alma is known as Georgia's blueberry capital, and hosts a Blueberry Festival each June.

History

Alma was founded in 1900 as a stop on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. It was incorporated as a city in 1906 and designated seat of the newly formed Bacon County in 1914. There are two theories about the origin of the name of the town. The first is that it was named for the wife of a traveling salesmen, Alma Sheridan; the other is that it was named for the initial letter of the four state capitals Georgia has had: Augusta, Louisville, Milledgeville, and Atlanta. There are four sites in Alma listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Alma Depot, Bacon County Courthouse, Bacon County School, and the Rabinowitz Building.

Geography

Alma is located in southeastern Georgia at 31.54167°N, -82.46667°W (31.541543, -82.466666). The city is located along U.S. Routes 1 and 23 (Pierce Street). The two run through the center of the city together before splitting just north of the city. U.S. 1 connects the city with Baxley, 19 mi to the north, and U.S. 23 connects the city with Hazlehurst, 25 mi to the northwest. U.S. 1/23 also lead south together 29 mi to Waycross. Other highways that run through the city include Georgia State Routes 32 (16th Street) and 64 (Market Street). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.1 km2, of which 14.3 km2 is land and 1.8 km2, or 11.27%, is water.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,433 people, 1,005 households, and 620 families residing in the city.

Education

Alma is served by the Bacon County School District. The district has 126 full-time teachers and over 1,900 students, and operates these schools: Alma is also served by Coastal Pines Technical College.

Notable people