Overview

Introduction to Sylvester, Georgia

Sylvester, Georgia, in Worth county, is 19 miles E of Albany, Georgia (center to center) and 153 miles NW of Jacksonville, Florida.

Sylvester History

In 1893, a community known as "Isabella Station," was established and became the county seat of Worth County, when the Brunswick and Albany Railroad entered the region. Gradually, more communities were founded along the railroad. In 1894, the residents of Isabella Station voted to change the community's name to "Sylvester" in honor of a prominent local family. Sylvester was incorporated on December 21, 1898. The city's first courthouse burned down in 1879, but a new one was built in 1893. However, this too was damaged by fire. Following the burning of the new Worth County courthouse in 1982, Max Hufstetler was convicted as an arsonist.

Sylvester and Nearby Attractions

  • Albany Civil Rights Movement Museum
  • Thronateeska Heritage Center
  • Jimmy Carter National Historic Site
  • Reed Bingham State Park
  • Tyson Steel Wildlife Museum

Things To Do In Sylvester

Agrirama, a living history museum depicting 19th-century farm life, is close to Sylvester. The Thronateeska Heritage Center includes the Wetherbee Planetarium, the Museum of History, and the Discovery Center. The city also offers easy access to the Albany Civil Rights Movement Museum, Jefferson Davis Memorial State Historical Site, and the Jimmy Carter National Historical Site. Golfing, swimming, boating, fishing, and picnicking can be enjoyed at the Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park, which also features a beach and nature trails. In addition, Sylvester is home to the Tyson Steel Wildlife Museum where animals from around the world are displayed in their natural habitats. The community celebrates the Georgia Peanut Festival in October every year. This festival includes the Peanut Parade, an annual dance called Goober Gala, an arts and crafts show, the Miss Georgia Peanut pageant, and peanut cuisine.

Sylvester Transportation

Air transportation is available from the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport.

Sylvester Higher Education

Valdosta State University, Albany State University, and Fort Valley State University are the nearby colleges.

Demographics

People

Total Population5,926
Male Share of the Population43.7%
Female Share of the Population56.3%
Senior Citizens13.9%
Employed Population 16+2,310
Age of the Population30

Families

% of people married33.9%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher6.8%
Median Earnings25+$32,200
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$14,599
Median Earnings With High School Degree$31,263

Wealth

Median Family Income$38,486
% Above Poverty Level63.9%
% Below Poverty Level36.1%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time21 minutes
% Working from Home3.5%
% Walking and Biking to Work0%
% Using Public Transportation%

Housing

People Living Alone25.7%
Median Gross Rent$728
Median House Value$96,300

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)57.5%
English5.7%
Irish4.9%
German1.7%
West Indian1.7%
Trinidad Tobago1.7%
French Except Basque1.1%
African0.6%
Italian0.4%
Swedish0.4%
Welsh0.2%
Greek0.2%
Norwegian0.2%
Canadian0.2%
Dutch0.1%
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Sylvester Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyWorth County
Standard Zip Codes31791
Phone Area Codes229
Time ZoneAmerica/New_York
Approximate Latitude31.52
Approximate Longitude-83.83

Sylvester Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationALBANY 3 SE
Distance17.6 miles
Jan Temp35 to 60 F
Apr Temp50 to 78 F
Jul Temp70 to 93 F
Oct Temp53 to 80 F
Annual Precip53.4 inches
StationASHBURN 3 ENE
Distance18.2 miles
Jan Temp36 to 59 F
Apr Temp53 to 78 F
Jul Temp71 to 91 F
Oct Temp54 to 79 F
Annual Precip48.4 inches
StationMOULTRIE 2 ESE
Distance25.7 miles
Jan Temp40 to 60 F
Apr Temp54 to 78 F
Jul Temp71 to 91 F
Oct Temp56 to 78 F
Annual Precip50.9 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Ashburn3,691$45,553
Doerun649$37,250
Poulan729$51,250
Sumner491$46,429
Sycamore868$37,813
Ty Ty966$33,056

Sylvester Public Libraries

Worth County Library System
205 EAST POPE STREET
Sylvester, Georgia
(229) 776-2096

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More Information for Librarians

Sylvester Hospitals

Phoebe Worth Medical Center
(Non-profit)
807 South Isabella Street

Sylvester Public Schools

Worth County Elementary School
1401 N Isabella St
ZIP: 31791
(229) 776-8605
Primary
Total Enrollment 699
Worth County High School
406 W King St
ZIP: 31791
(229) 776-8625
High
Total Enrollment 908
Worth County Middle School
1305 N Isabella St
ZIP: 31791
(229) 776-8620
Middle
Total Enrollment 744
Worth County Primary School
1304 N Isabella St
ZIP: 31791
(229) 776-8660
Primary
Total Enrollment 1037
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