kids encyclopedia robot

Tunnel Hill, Georgia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Tunnel Hill, Georgia
Railroad tracks passing through Tunnel Hill
Railroad tracks passing through Tunnel Hill
Location in Whitfield County and the state of Georgia
Location in Whitfield County and the state of Georgia
Country United States
State Georgia
County Whitfield, Catoosa
Area
 • Total 1.98 sq mi (5.13 km2)
 • Land 1.97 sq mi (5.11 km2)
 • Water 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation
840 ft (256 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 963
 • Density 488.09/sq mi (188.48/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
30755
Area code(s) 706/762
FIPS code 13-77736
GNIS feature ID 0333273

Tunnel Hill is a town in northwest Whitfield County and southern Catoosa County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Dalton Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 856 at the 2010 census. The town is named for the Chetoogeta Mountain Tunnel, a 1,497-foot (456 m) railroad tunnel built in the late 1840s.

History

The community was first known as Doe Run. It was incorporated on March 4, 1848 as Tunnelsville, and changed its name in 1856 to Tunnel Hill. Both names refer to a nearby 1,497 feet long railroad tunnel through Chetoogeta Mountain, officially dedicated on October 31, 1849 by Etowah steel-maker Mark A. Cooper on behalf of the state-owned Western & Atlantic Railroad.

The railroad tunnel was the first to be completed south of the Mason–Dixon line. The rail line operated during the late 1840s with passengers and freight being portaged over the mountain while the tunnel was constructed. Another tunnel next to it, completed in 1928, is still used by CSX Transportation. The original Chetoogeta Mountain Tunnel is now paved for tourists to walk through; it has even more historic value, as the Great Locomotive Chase passed through it in 1862.

Throughout the American Civil War, the area homes around Tunnel Hill were used as part of a major hospital system. Wounded CSA Gen. John Bell Hood was brought to the Clisby Austin House after the Battle of Chickamauga. His leg was buried in a family cemetery near the house. The Clisby Austin House also served as the headquarters for Union Gen. William T. Sherman while he made his plans for attacks against nearby Dalton and Resaca, which became the opening battles of what would later be known as the Atlanta Campaign. The area hosted many engagements and camps throughout the course of the war. These are remembered through an annual Battle Reenactment held in September.

The dates of the actual military engagements were September 11, 1863; February 23, 24-25 1864; May 5–7, 1864; and March 3, 1865.

Geography

Tunnel Hill is located at 34°50′45″N 85°2′35″W / 34.84583°N 85.04306°W / 34.84583; -85.04306 (34.845934, -85.042955).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 258
1890 360 39.5%
1900 302 −16.1%
1910 295 −2.3%
1920 208 −29.5%
1930 211 1.4%
1970 1,146
1980 936 −18.3%
1990 970 3.6%
2000 1,209 24.6%
2010 856 −29.2%
2020 963 12.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of 2010 Tunnel Hill had a population of 856. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 93.5% white, 3.7% black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.5% from some other race and 0.4% from two or more race. 3.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino, with 2.0% of the population being Mexican.

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,209 people, 451 households, and 359 families residing in the city. The population density was 794.7 people per square mile (307.1/km2). There were 474 housing units at an average density of 311.6 per square mile (120.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.46% White, 2.56% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 1.57% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.97% of the population.

There were 451 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.0% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.2% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,438, and the median income for a family was $49,531. Males had a median income of $31,974 versus $25,078 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,382. About 8.8% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tunnel Hill para niños

kids search engine
Tunnel Hill, Georgia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.