East Point, Georgia

East Point is a suburban city located southwest of Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 38,358. The city name is derived from being at the opposite end of the former Atlanta and West Point Railroad from West Point.

History
The name "East Point" derives from the fact that this is the terminus of the Atlanta & West Point Railroad in the east; West Point, Georgia, is the terminus where the rail line ends in the west.

This settlement was founded as a railroad terminus with 16 families in 1870, but grew quickly after it became an inviting place for industry to develop. Soon it boasted the railway, two gristmills, and a government distillery located on Connally Drive. One of the earliest buildings was the factory of the White Hickory Manufacturing Company, built by B.M. Blount and L.M. Hill (who became the first chairman of the board of aldermen of the city).

By 1880 the town had two churches, a common school, a steam-cotton gin, a sawmill, a post office (founded in 1851), a telegraph office and its own newspaper weekly, The Plow Boy. East Point ranked as a grain and cotton-growing center. With its pleasant upland climate and proximity to the railway, it was a popular summer resort for people from the city of Atlanta.

In 1884 the first telephone rang in East Point, and in 1887 the city received its first charter. In 1890 a major portion of property along East Point Avenue was subdivided and developed, opening the way for more homes, more churches, more people, and more places of employment. By 1892 Main Street was completed, despite protests from a few progress-shy early settlers who maintained that one major thoroughfare, Newnan Road, was more than sufficient.

By the start of the 20th century, the adolescent town was poised to grow into the city it eventually would become.

In late 2015 and early 2016, some scenes for the Netflix series Stranger Things were filmed at the exterior of the First Baptist Church (standing in for a hospital exterior in a fictional Indiana town).

The recording studio of Dungeon Family was originally located in East Point, and contributed to the development of Atlanta hip hop.

Geography
East Point is bordered to the north, east, and west by the city of Atlanta, to the southeast by Hapeville, and to the south by College Park. Downtown Atlanta is 7 mi northeast of the center of East Point.

According to the United States Census Bureau, East Point has a total area of 38.1 sqkm, of which 0.05 sqkm, or 0.12%, is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 38,358 people, 14,216 households, and 6,721 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 39,595 people, 14,553 households, and 9,430 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,878.9 PD/sqmi. There were 15,637 housing units at an average density of 1,137.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 78.16% African American, 16.10% White, 0.20% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 3.40% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.57% of the population.

There were 14,553 households there in 2000, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.7% were married couples living together, 28.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.3% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,874, and the median income for a family was $36,099. Males had a median income of $27,114 versus $25,839 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,175. About 17.2% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy


The National Archives and Records Administration regional repository for data collected by the U.S. Census was originally located in the Colonial Hills area of East Point, before moving to Morrow, Georgia.

The Southeast Region Office of the Federal Bureau of Prisons is in East Point.

In the late 20th century, East Point suffered a loss of jobs due to railroad and industrial restructuring. In the 21st century, its economy expanded, and new businesses and residences developed. The city states that "several Fortune 500 companies" are located in East Point.

Arts and culture
East Point Historic Civic Block consists of three historically significant buildings and one memorial park in downtown East Point.

Opened in 2003, Camp Creek Marketplace is a 309089 sqft retail space, containing 39 stores and 14 restaurants.

The Commons is a $150 million, 79000 sqft, retail, restaurant, and residential development expected to bring over 1,500 jobs to East Point, with an estimated completion between 2027 and 2029.

Atlanta–Fulton Public Library System operates the East Point Branch.

Parks and recreation


East Point has 23 parks, a recreation center, playgrounds, tennis courts, sand volleyball, basketball courts, trails, and recreational activities and programs.

Connally Nature Park is a 27 acre green space that features pink lady slipper orchids which blossom in spring, and white oak trees.

Dick Lane Velodrome in Sumner Park, built in 1974, is one of 22 velodromes in the United States, and was a training facility for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. It hosts cycling events and competitions.

Government
The city has a city council-city manager form of government, with a professional city manager hired by the council. The manager is approved by the eight-member city council, headed by the mayor who has veto power. The city is divided into four wards (A, B, C, & D), each electing two city council members.

Primary and secondary schools
Fulton County School System operates East Point's public schools. Schools located in East Point include:


 * Asa G. Hilliard Elementary School
 * Brookview Elementary School
 * Conley Hills Elementary School
 * Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary School
 * KIPP South Fulton Academy
 * Parklane Elementary School
 * Paul D. West Middle School
 * Tri-Cities High School
 * Woodland Middle School

Russell High School is a former high school in East Point.

Media
Part of the Fear Street horror film series were shot in East Point in 2019.

Infrastructure
MARTA heavy rail subway and bus lines serve the city.

Notable people

 * Dale Boone, competitive eater.
 * Gino Groover, professional baseball player.
 * John Milner, professional baseball player.
 * Hines Ward, professional football player and coach.