Shady Dale is a town in Jasper County, Georgia, United States. The population was 252 in 2020.

History

Shady Dale was founded ca. 1880 on the site of a former Creek Indian settlement. The name "Shady Dale" was descriptively applied. The Georgia General Assembly incorporated Shady Dale as a town in 1889.

Geography

Shady Dale is located in northeastern Jasper County at 33.39944°N, -83.59°W (33.399562, -83.589937). Georgia State Routes 83 and 142 intersect in the center of town. GA 83 leads northeast 17 mi to Madison and southwest 8 mi to Monticello, the Jasper county seat, while GA 142 leads northwest 11 mi to Newborn and southeast 9 mi to Willard. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.3 km2, of which 7479 sqm, or 0.33%, are water. The east side of town drains toward the Little River, a tributary of the Oconee River, while the west side drains to Murder Creek, a tributary of the Little River.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 242 people, 88 households, and 60 families residing in the town. In 2020, its population was 252.

Arts and culture

The town is well known for an annual professional rodeo the first weekend in June each year since 1983. Sanctioned by the I.P.R.A./S.R.A., this rodeo draws champion cowboys and cowgirls from all over the United States. The entire town comes to life with a rodeo parade, wagon train ride and community festival. The event is produced by Walton No. 200 and Jasper No. 50 Masonic Lodges of Jasper County with proceeds benefiting several Masonic charities.