Pembroke is a city and county seat in Bryan County, Georgia, United States.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 2,513.[4] It is located approximately 35 miles west of Savannah, Georgia, and approximately 20 miles south of Statesboro, Georgia. Pembroke is part of the Savannah metropolitan statistical area.

Pembroke, Georgia
Pembroke Historic District (2021)
Pembroke Historic District (2021)
Official seal of Pembroke, Georgia
Motto: 
"A historic railroad town"
Location in Bryan County and Georgia
Location in Bryan County and Georgia
Coordinates: 32°8′24″N 81°37′25″W / 32.14000°N 81.62361°W / 32.14000; -81.62361[1]
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyBryan
Government
 • MayorTiffany McCoy Zeigler[2]
Area
 • Total
7.69 sq mi (19.90 km2)
 • Land7.64 sq mi (19.79 km2)
 • Water0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2)
Elevation92 ft (28 m)
Population
 • Total
2,513
 • Density330/sq mi (130/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
31321
Area code912
FIPS code13-60004 [1]
GNIS ID332632 [1]
Websitepembrokega.net

History

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Pembroke was founded in 1892 as a railroad town and turpentine shipping center. It was named after early resident Pembroke Whitfield Williams. It was incorporated in 1905.[5] The county seat was voted to be moved from Clyde to Pembroke in 1935, with the first County Commissioners session in Pembroke taking place on February 15, 1937.

On April 9, 1998, a F3 tornado damaged the city. It killed two people and injured 17 others along its path.

On April 5, 2022, an EF2 tornado struck the town, causing heavy damage to many structures, trees, and power lines. The tornado would later strengthen to EF4 intensity in Black Creek, causing catastrophic damage, killing one person, and injuring 12 others.[6][7]

The Pembroke Historic District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

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Pembroke is located in northern Bryan County at 32°08′24″N 81°37′25″W / 32.139892°N 81.623553°W / 32.139892; -81.623553.[1] U.S. Route 280 passes through the center of the city, leading east 10 miles (16 km) to Interstate 16 and 35 miles (56 km) to Savannah. Claxton is 16 miles (26 km) to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Pembroke has a total area of 7.7 square miles (19.9 km2), of which 7.6 square miles (19.6 km2) is land and 0.077 square miles (0.2 km2), or 1.17%, is water.[8]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1910467
192056019.9%
193078840.7%
19401,03931.9%
19501,17112.7%
19601,45023.8%
19701,361−6.1%
19801,4002.9%
19901,5037.4%
20002,37958.3%
20102,196−7.7%
20202,51314.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
Pembroke racial composition as of 2020[10]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 1,308 52.05%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 935 37.21%
Native American 2 0.08%
Asian 20 0.8%
Pacific Islander 7 0.28%
Other/Mixed 141 5.61%
Hispanic or Latino 100 3.98%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,513 people, 887 households, and 656 families residing in the city.

Education

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The Bryan County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of five elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools.[11] The district has 328 full-time teachers and over 5,552 students.[12]

  • Bryan County High School
  • Richmond Hill High School
  • Bryan County Middle School
  • Richmond Hill Middle School
  • Bryan County Elementary School
  • George Washington Carver Elementary School
  • Lanier Primary School
  • Richmond Hill Elementary School
  • Richmond Hill Primary School

Notable people

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Pembroke was the birthplace of jazz musician Jabbo Smith.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Pembroke, Kansas", Geographic Names Information System, United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior
  2. ^ "Pembroke, GA - Mayor & Council". pembrokega.net. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  3. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Profile of Pembroke, Georgia in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  5. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 173. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  6. ^ NWS Damage Survey for the April 5, 2022 Tornado Event in Bryan County GA - Update #2 (Report). Iowa Environmental Mesonet. April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  7. ^ "After tornadoes strike the Southeast, Ga. residents recount the terror". The Washington Post. April 6, 2022. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022.
  8. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Pembroke city, Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  9. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  11. ^ Georgia Board of Education[permanent dead link], Retrieved May 31, 2010.
  12. ^ School Stats, Retrieved May 31, 2010.
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