Grayson, Georgia

Grayson is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States. The 2020 estimated population of Grayson, GA is 4740 people. The population was 2,666 at the 2010 census, up from 765 in 2000.

History

The city of Grayson was first called Trip. In 1901, John Ellery Jacobs, the postmaster and civic leader, wrote to the post office department requesting that Trip, Georgia be changed to Berkley, Georgia. On December 6, 1901, the General Assembly of Georgia approved an act to incorporate the town and change the name. Shortly after, Ellery Jacobs was notified that there was already a Berkley, Georgia. He then suggested Graymount (because there was a clear view of Stone Mountain), but it was also taken. He then suggested the name of Grayson, Georgia.

Geography

Grayson is located southeast of the center of Gwinnett County at (33.893306, -83.955420). Georgia State Route 20 is the main highway through town, leading north into Lawrenceville, the county seat, and southeast five miles to Loganville. Georgia State Route 84 (Grayson Parkway) leads southwest five miles to Snellville. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and , or 2.30%, is water.

Climate

Grayson has a Humid Subtropical Climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa"). Grayson falls under the USDA 7b Plant Hardiness zone.

Grayson suffered a damaging tornado on June 27, 1994, killing a 10-year-old girl. The city has been benefitting from exurban growth in eastern Gwinnett County, especially in the late 1990s and through the 2000s.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,730 people, 1,245 households, and 1,049 families residing in the city.

Government

Local government

The city government of Grayson consists of a mayor and four council members.

The current mayor and council members are:
* Mayor: Allison Wilkerson
* Council members: Bob Foreman, Gene Ussery, James Gillespie, and Linda Jenkins.

Arts and culture

Modeled after Snellville Days in nearby Snellville, Grayson Day Festival, held annually on a Saturday at the end of April, features a parade down Main Street, food vendors, crafts, and live music. The city and local businesses sponsor the event, which takes place mostly in the centrally located Grayson City Park. The football team, marching band, and cheerleaders from Grayson High School, as well as other local organizations, politicians, and groups make the parade a favorite tradition among residents.

Education

The county operates under Gwinnett County Public Schools, with GCPS operating numerous schools within the Grayson cluster, which are
* Grayson High School
** Bay Creek Middle School
*** Grayson Elementary School
*** Trip Elementary School
** Couch Middle School
*** Pharr Elementary School
*** Starling Elementary School

Notable people

* Joyce Chandler - Educator and politician. Member of Georgia House of Representatives. Resident of Grayson.
* Austin Meadows - Baseball player. Grew up in Grayson.
* Nikki Merritt - Politician. Member of the Georgia State Senate.Resident of Grayson.
* Chuck Robbins - chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Cisco Systems. Born in Grayson.
* Robert Nkemdiche - NFL Football player. Grew up and started his career in Grayson, at Grayson High School in 2015.

In popular culture

* Grayson was featured in ''Outbreak'', authored by Robin Cook, which was published in 1987.

References

External links

City of Grayson official website

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Cities in Georgia (U.S. state)
Cities in Gwinnett County, Georgia
Cities in the Atlanta metropolitan area
Populated places established in 1879