Wrightsville is a city in and the county seat of Johnson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,195 at the 2010 census, down from 2,223 at the 2000 census. By 2020, its population grew to 3,449. The city limits include Johnson State Prison on the northeast side of town. Wrightsville is part of the Dublin Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The Georgia General Assembly incorporated Wrightsville in 1866. The community was named after John B. Wright, a town promoter.

Geography

Wrightsville is located west of the center of Johnson County at 32.725°N, -82.72028°W (32.725126, -82.720289). U.S. Route 319 passes through the city center on Elm Street; it leads northeast 19 mi to Bartow and southwest 18 mi to Dublin. State Routes 15 and 57 also pass through the center of Wrightsville. SR-15 leads north 19 mi to Sandersville and southeast 17 mi to Adrian, while SR-57 leads west 37 mi to Irwinton and southeast 25 mi to Swainsboro. According to the United States Census Bureau, Wrightsville has a total area of 9.3 km2, of which 9.1 km2 are land and 0.2 km2, or 2.20%, are water. The city is drained by tributaries of the Ohoopee River.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,449 people, 1,148 households, and 631 families residing in the city.

Education

Johnson County School District

The Johnson County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. The district has 86 full-time teachers and over 1,384 students.

Arts and culture

The Old Fashioned Fourth of July Festival has been held in the small town of Wrightsville since 1976. It starts on the eve of July 4 with a fireworks show. This is followed by a street dance on the courthouse square. The festivities continue the next morning with a parade of various floats created by churches and businesses in the community. There is a contest for the winning float design. Following the parade, there are various booths and vendors set up downtown.

Notable people