Pelham is a city in Mitchell County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,507 at the 2020 census, down from 3,898 in 2010. Pelham is well known for its agriculture, with vast farming of cotton and pecans in the area.

History

Pelham was incorporated in 1881 and named in honor of Confederate officer John Pelham, who was born to a family of slave owners in northeastern Alabama in 1838.

Geography

Pelham is in southeastern Mitchell County at 31.12667°N, -84.15278°W (31.126629, -84.152703), sitting at the crossroads of US 19 and State Route 93. U.S. 19 passes through the east side of the city and leads northwest 8 mi to Camilla, the county seat, and southeast 25 mi to Thomasville. State Route 93 passes through the center of town, leading northeast 14 mi to Sale City and south 19 mi to Cairo, while State Route 65 leads west from Pelham 14 mi to Hopeful. According to the United States Census Bureau, Pelham has a total area of 4.1 sqmi, all of it recorded as land. Pelham has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by humid summers and mild winters. It receives an average of 52 in of rain per year. The average number of days with any measurable precipitation is 90. Pelham has on average 233 sunny days per year. The July high is around 93 F, while the January low is 39 F.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,507 people, 1,325 households, and 857 families residing in the city.

Education

The Pelham City School District, which conforms to the municipal boundaries, holds pre-school to grade 12, and consists of one elementary school, a middle school and a high school. The district has 101 full-time teachers and over 1,627 students.

Notable people