Metter, Georgia

Metter is a city and the county seat of Candler County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,130 at the 2010 census. In 2020, its population was 4,004.

History
Metter was founded in 1889. In 1914, Metter was designated seat of the newly formed Candler County. Metter was incorporated as a town in 1903 and as a city in 1920.

Geography
Metter is located near the center of Candler County at 32.39625°N, -82.06241°W, in eastern Georgia. Interstate 16 touches the southern edge of the city, leading east 63 mi to Savannah, and west 102 mi to Macon. A short, tree-lined parkway leads from I-16 to the downtown area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Metter has a total area of 20.4 km2, of which 19.9 km2 is land and 0.5 km2, or 2.53%, is water.

Longtime residents use the slogan "Everything's Better in Metter".

Metter may be best known as the home of "The Sower", Michael Guido, who has delivered short evangelical PSAs on late-night television nationwide for decades. Dr. Guido's messages were filmed at Guido Gardens, which houses a public botanical garden and a school of ministry. Guido died at the age of 94 on February 22, 2009. His messages were aired on TV stations in the Georgia and South Carolina region.

A prominent event in Metter is Another Bloomin' Festival, an arts and crafts festival held the day before Easter. The festival draws thousands of out-of-town residents, who come to enjoy homemade desserts, barbecue, and crafts. In addition, it serves as a homecoming celebration for former residents who have returned to celebrate the holiday with their families.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,004 people, 1,455 households, and 1,018 families residing in the city.

Candler County School District
The Candler County School District holds pre-kindergarten to grade twelve, and consists of an elementary school, a middle school and a high school. The district has 117 full-time teachers and over 1,930 students.

Elementary schools

 * Metter Elementary School

Middle school

 * Metter Middle School

High school

 * Metter High School

Notable people

 * LaVon Mercer (born 1959), American-Israeli basketball player