Cairo, Georgia

Cairo is a city in Grady County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 10,179. The city is the county seat of Grady County.

History
Cairo was founded in 1835. It was incorporated as a town in 1870 and as a city in 1906. In 1905, Cairo was designated seat of the newly formed Grady County. The city was named after Cairo, the capital of Egypt.

Geography
Cairo is located in central Grady County at 30.8775°N, -84.20139°W (30.8774, -84.2013). U.S. Route 84 (38th Boulevard) passes through the northern part of the city, leading east 14 mi to Thomasville and west 24 mi to Bainbridge. Valdosta is 59 mi to the east, and Dothan, Alabama, is 79 mi to the west on US 84. Georgia State Route 93 passes through the center of Cairo as Broad Street and Fifth Street; it leads north 19 mi to Pelham and south 12 mi to U.S. Route 319, north of the Florida border. Tallahassee, Florida, is 33 mi to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Cairo has a total area of 25.4 km2, of which 25.1 km2 is land and 0.3 km2, or 1.38%, is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Cairo has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,179 people, 3,567 households, and 2,169 families residing in the city.

Education
Grady County Schools serves the city. Cairo High School, located in Cairo serves as a central high school for all of Grady County. Elementary schools serving students in the city include Eastside Elementary, Northside Elementary and Southside Elementary. Washington Middle School serves Cairo residents.

A campus of the Southern Regional Technical College is located in Cairo.

Health
Grady General Hospital serves the city. A 60-bed acute care facility, it has been affiliated with John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital in Thomasville since 1985.

Notable people

 * Teresa Edwards, former professional basketball player and an Olympic gold medalist
 * Emerson Hancock, former pitcher for University of Georgia and selected to the Seattle Mariners as the 6th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.
 * Willie Harris, outfielder and second baseman in Major League Baseball from 2001 through 2012, member of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox
 * Bryan Johnson, former professional motocross racer.
 * John Monds, 2010 Libertarian gubernatorial candidate for the state of Georgia
 * David Ponder, former defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys
 * Ernest Riles, shortstop and third baseman in Major League Baseball
 * Jackie Robinson, Baseball Hall of Famer; first person to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball; born in Cairo
 * Matthew "Mack" Robinson, Olympic silver medalist, older brother of Jackie Robinson
 * Daryle Singletary, country music singer
 * George Thornewell Smith, Georgia politician
 * Bill Stanfill, former All-Pro National Football League defensive end
 * Mickey Thomas, lead singer of Jefferson Starship
 * Bobby Walden, former punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings
 * Hurston Waldrep, baseball pitcher
 * J. J. Wilcox, safety for the New York Jets
 * Arthur L. Williams Jr., founder of Primerica Financial Services
 * Curley Williams, country music singer and songwriter; born near Cairo in Grady County