Plains is a city in Sumter County, Georgia, United States. The population was 573 at the 2020 census and it is a part of the Americus Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is well known as the birthplace of Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, who were the president and first lady of the United States from 1977 to 1981. They lived in Plains both before and after their time in the White House.

History

Originally inhabited by the Muscogee people, three small settlements existed close to what would become Plains by the 1840s: Lebanon, Magnolia Springs, and Plains of Dura. In 1885, a significant turning point occurred when a major east-west railroad extended into the area and led to the three settlements being consolidated into one. As railway access expanded into the region in response to increased cotton farming, these settlements coalesced closer to the new railway location. As businesses rapidly developed, local businessmen successfully petitioned the Georgia State Legislature to shorten "Plains of Dura" to simply "Plains". The city was subsequently incorporated in 1896. Plains continued to experience growth fueled by cotton cultivation into the early 20th century. A substantial school and the pioneering Wise Sanitarium were both built in the 1920s. Despite branching into peanut cultivation, the community lost much of its prosperity during the Great Depression. The city remained a small and quiet one until Plains native Jimmy Carter rose to political prominence as Georgia's governor in 1971, before becoming U.S. president from 1977 to 1981. During the 1976 presidential election and for many years afterwards, the city saw a giant influx in tourism off the back of Carter's name, with nearly 10,000 people (around 18 times the population of Plains) pouring into the community daily.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 sqmi, all land. The city's boundary is in the shape of a circle. It is located in west-south-western Georgia, 120 mi due south of Atlanta.

Points of interest

Many of the town’s attractions are related to the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. Carter's high school, birthplace, campaign headquarters, former site of family business, and his brother Billy's service station are all within a close vicinity of one another in the center of town. The iconic Smiling Peanut Statue, a gift to Carter from supporters in Evansville, Indiana, lies on the outskirts of town. His boyhood home is in nearby Archery. Andersonville National Historic Site and the National Prisoner of War Museum are located in the vicinity of Plains. Georgia Southwestern State University is located in the nearby town of Americus. Westville, a re-created town depicting the living history of mid-19th-century Georgia, is located in the nearby town of Lumpkin.

Climate

This area climate is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Plains has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 16.5% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 30.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 69.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 58.9 males. The median income for a household in the city was $26,719, and the median income for a family was $29,375. Males had a median income of $24,375 versus $16,406 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,602. About 22.2% of families and 25.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 47.2% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable residents

Former President Jimmy Carter was born in Plains at the Wise Sanitarium, now renamed the Lillian G. Carter Nursing Center in honor of his mother. His wife Rosalynn and their daughter Amy were also born in Plains, as were his younger brother Billy, younger sister Gloria, youngest sister Ruth, and cousin Hugh. When he left office in 1981, Carter and his wife returned to live in the home in Plains they have occupied since 1961; Rosalynn died in November 2023.

Education

It is in the Sumter County School District.

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