Pembroke is a city and county seat in Bryan County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 2,513. It is located approximately 35 miles west of Savannah, Georgia, and approximately 20 miles south of Statesboro, Georgia. Pembroke is part of the Savannah metropolitan statistical area.

History

Pembroke was founded in 1892 as a railroad town and turpentine shipping center. It was named after early resident Pembroke Whitfield Williams. It was incorporated in 1905. The county seat was voted to be moved from Clyde to Pembroke in 1935, with the first County Commissioners session in Pembroke taking place on February 15, 1937. On April 9, 1998, a F3 tornado damaged the city. It killed two people and injured 17 others along its path. On April 5, 2022, an EF2 tornado struck the town, causing heavy damage to many structures, trees, and power lines. The tornado would later strengthen to EF4 intensity in Black Creek, causing catastrophic damage, killing one person, and injuring 12 others. The Pembroke Historic District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Pembroke is located in northern Bryan County at 32.13989°N, -81.62355°W. U.S. Route 280 passes through the center of the city, leading east 10 mi to Interstate 16 and 35 mi to Savannah. Claxton is 16 mi to the west. According to the United States Census Bureau, Pembroke has a total area of 19.9 km2, of which 19.6 km2 is land and 0.2 km2, or 1.17%, is water.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,513 people, 887 households, and 656 families residing in the city.

Education

The Bryan County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of five elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. The district has 328 full-time teachers and over 5,552 students.

Notable people

Pembroke was the birthplace of jazz musician Jabbo Smith.