Odum, Georgia

Odum, Georgia
Town
Location in Wayne County and the state of Georgia Location in Wayne County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Georgia
County	Wayne
Area
• Total	1.9 sq mi (5 km2)
• Land	1.9 sq mi (5 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	154 ft (47 m)
Population (2000)
• Total	414
• Density	217.9/sq mi (82.8/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	31555
Area code(s)	912
FIPS code	13-57540
GNIS feature ID	0319907

Odum is a town in Wayne County, Georgia, United States. The population was 414 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Odum is located at (31.666072, -82.028622).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.9 square miles (5.0 km²), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	258		—
1920	309		19.8%
1930	439		42.1%
1940	469		6.8%
1950	389		−17.1%
1960	404		3.9%
1970	379		−6.2%
1980	401		5.8%
1990	388		−3.2%
2000	414		6.7%
2010	504		21.7%
Est. 2014	498		−1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

At of the 2000 census, there were 414 people, 163 households and 119 families residing in the town. The population density was 213.5 per square mile (82.4/km²). There were 192 housing units at an average density of 99.0 per square mile (38.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 83.57% White, 13.53% African American, 0.24% Asian, 1.69% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.93% of the population.

There were 163 households of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03.

Age distribution was 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

The median household income was $37,188, and the median family income was $36,719. Males had a median income of $28,250 versus $18,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,699. About 11.8% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

History

File:Ritch-Carter-Martin House, Odum, GA USA.jpg

Ritch-Carter-Martin house in Odum, on the National Register of Historic Places

In 1867, Odum was originally known as Haslam, named for a sawmill owner. One year later, its name was changed to Satilla for the nearby Satilla Creek.

In 1870, it was known as Number Five for its railroad station. Then in 1880, the town was given its current name, Odum, in honor of an early settler, Godfrey Odum.

The General Assembly of the State of Georgia incorporated Odum as a town on August 22, 1907. At that time, the corporate limits extended three-fourths of a mile in every direction and the corporate authorities were given the authority to modify, alter, change and rectify the corporate limits.

The municipal government of Odum consisted of a mayor and five aldermen. The first mayor was Dr. J.T. Colvin and F.C. Gurr, J.B. Clary, D.I. Carter, J.M. Bloodworth and J.A. Odum were appointed as aldermen.

The first election was to be held on the third Wednesday in January, 1908. At that time, a mayor and five aldermen were to be elected to serve a term of one year.

The mayor and aldermen had the power and authority to elect marshals, clerks, treasurer and other necessary officers to properly carry on the affairs of Odum; prescribe the duties and fix the compensation of such officials; make and pass ordinances, by-laws, rules and regulations which are deemed necessary for the good order, peace, health and government of Odum; have exclusive jurisdiction over the streets, alleys, sidewalks, drives, parks and other property of Odum; keeping the same in good order, removing all obstructions of the same at the expenses of the person obstructing; construct and maintain waterworks, drainage and sewage systems, and other modern improvements, issuing bonds to pay for such expenses; establish and regulate police, fire and sanitary protection for Odum; grant municipal franchises; raise revenue by taxation and grant licenses to defray the expense of government; regulate the sale and barter of merchandise within the limits of Odum, and the exhibition of shows.

In addition, the mayor and the aldermen have the power to enforce its ordinances, rules and regulations by fines not exceeding fifty ($50.00) dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding 30 days. Also, they have the authority to levy a special tax for educational purposes.

Odum mayors

• Dr. J.T. Colvin
• Mr. Wallace G. Odum
• Mr. George O'Quinn
• Mr. George Thompson
• Mr. Joe Wilson
• Mr. T.C. Withrow
• Mr. W.W. "Babe" Davis
• Mr. B.A. Smith
• Mr. Jack Crawford
• Mr. Henry Lawton Kicklighter
• Mr. Robert Babb
• Mr. Rufus Roberson
• Ms. W.G. (Aldine Davis) Odum
• Mr. Lanier (Andy) Sutton
• Mr. Albert Madray
• Mr. J. Oscar Roberson
• Mr. Thurlow Price
• Mr. E.W. (Emory) Trull
• Mr. P.A. Horton, Sr.
• Mr. Joe Martin
• Mr. John A. Flowers
• Mr. Roger O'Quinn
• Mr. Glynn Horton
• Mr. Aubrey Mansfield
• Mr. J.S. Shuptrine
• Mr. Aubrey Mansfield
• Mr. Brian Nipper (Present)