# Dacula, Georgia

Dacula (/dəˈkjuːlə/ də-KEW-lə) is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States, located approximately 37 miles (60 km) northeast of Atlanta. The population as of the 2010 census was 4,442, and the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population to be 6,255 as of 2018. In 2020, its population was 6,882. The Dacula area is home to some of the oldest buildings in northeast Georgia, such as the Elisha Winn House, which originally acted as the courthouse for Gwinnett County.

## History
### The Muscogee (Creek) Nation

The Dacula area was originally within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Most of the land within the city's limits was ceded to the State of Georgia in the 1790 Treaty of New York after the Oconee Wars The vicinity of Dacula was one of the first areas in northeast Georgia to be occupied by white European settlers (around the time of the War of 1812). The area remained mostly uncolonized until the late 20th century , in part, due to the remaining presence of the Cherokee Nation in portions of Gwinnett County. After settlers lobbied for the ethnic cleansing of the Nation, the Trail of Tears (through the Indian Removal Act) made it easier for Dacula and the unannexed portions of Gwinnett to be settled.

### Chinquapin Grove

Dacula itself began in the late 1800s under the name of Chinquapin Grove (Chinquapin was spelled several different ways), where Dacula Elementary now stands. Chinquapin comes from the indigenous Powhatan word for dwarf chestnut tree (Allegheny Chinkapin). The tree is no longer found in the area due to chestnut blight. An 1865 United States Coast Survey Map shows the town of Chinquepin Grove. An 1883 George Cram Map of Georgia shows the town of Chincapin Grove. The town was renamed named "Hoke", in 1891 after a Seaboard Air Line Railroad executive, but that name was changed due to the Post Office Department's protest. By 1895, maps of Georgia no longer showed the town of Chinquapin Grove and instead show the town of Dacula.

### 1900s

Dacula's name is said to be formed from letters in Decatur and Atlanta by a postmaster. The two cities to the west that were already prospering at the time of Dacula's founding. The New-Herald issue dated June 16, 1899 stated that Dacula would soon decide whether or not it wished to be incorporated; however, the town was not incorporated until 1905, because residents feared that incorporation would destroy business and industry.
Religion has and continues to be a driving force in Dacula. One of the first churches built in the town was a Methodist Church, founded by Rev. R. P. Jackson. A News-Herald issue dated January 25, 1912 describes the brick building was no larger than 40x60 ft.
The town was once home to a train station on a CSX line through northeast Georgia, although the station closed in the mid-1950s.

## Present Day

In 2022, Gwinnett County broke ground on the Rowen Project, which seeks to bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, and other innovators, alongside more than 50 research and educational institutions across Georgia to expand the state's research triangle. Since the project's approval, the Dacula area has seen an increase in both suburban residential and strip mall commercial changes, including the Harbins 316 development, which massively expanded food and amenity access to a portion of Gwinnett County that previously had to drive 30–40 minutes to a grocery store. As the town becomes home to an increasing number of national chains, residents are increasingly proud of their local gathering places and traditions. The town unveiled a new playground and workout area in Maple Creek Park in 2024, and continues its renowned Memorial Day Parade.

## Geography

Dacula is located in eastern Gwinnett County, with U.S. Route 29 Business/Georgia State Route 8 (Winder Highway) the main road through the center of town. Business 29/SR 8 leads west 6 miles (10 km) to Lawrenceville, the county seat, and east 11 miles (18 km) to Winder. U.S. Route 29 (University Parkway) is a four-lane highway that bypasses Dacula to the south, with access from Harbins Road. University Parkway leads east 34 miles (55 km) to Athens and west 12 miles (19 km) to Interstate 85, which leads an additional 25 miles (40 km) southwest to Atlanta.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Dacula has a total area of 5.0 square miles (12.9 km$^2$), of which 0.031 square miles (0.08 km$^2$), or 0.59%, is water.
The Dacula 30019 ZIP code goes well beyond the city limits, resulting in mail delivery as far north as the unincorporated community of Hamilton Mill, south of Interstate 85.

## Demographics

Dacula racial composition as of 2020 :
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 2,942 | 42.75% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 1,922 | 27.93% |
| Native American | 11 | 0.16% |
| Asian | 296 | 4.3% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.01% |
| Other/Mixed | 323 | 4.69% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,387 | 20.15% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,882 people, 1,902 households, and 1,529 families residing in the city.

## Government
### Local government

Previous Mayors:
* 1972 - 1980: Jimmy Wilbanks
* 2002 - 2018: Jimmy Wilbanks
* 2018–Present: Trey King:
The current mayor and council members are:
* Mayor: Trey King
* Council Members: Ann Mitchell, Denis Haynes, Jason Shelton, and Sean Williams.

## Education

The county operates Gwinnett County Public Schools. The following GCPS schools have Dacula mail addresses:
* Alcova Elementary School (Dacula cluster)
* Dacula Elementary School (Dacula cluster)
* Dyer Elementary School (Mountain View cluster)
* Fort Daniel Elementary School (Mill Creek cluster)
* Harbins Elementary School (Archer cluster)
* Puckett's Mill Elementary School (Mill Creek Cluster)
* Dacula Middle School (Dacula cluster)
* Dacula High School (Dacula cluster)
Gwinnett County Public Library operates the Dacula and Hamilton Mill Branch in the nearby unincorporated area of Hamilton Mill.

## Media

The town of Dacula is served by two newspapers: the Gwinnett Daily Post (based in nearby Lawrenceville) and the Hamilton Mill Neighborhood News.

## Parks

The following parks are located in the town of Dacula:
* Dacula Park
* Duncan Creek Park
* Freeman's Mill Park
* Harbins Park
* Little Mulberry Park
* Maple Creek Park
* Olde Mill Park
* Rabbit Hill Park

## Notable people

* Will Bagrou - soccer player
* Andrew Booth Jr. - current cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings
* Vanessa Briscoe Hay - singer
* McClain Hermes - Paralympic swimmer
* David Irons - former cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons
* Kenny Irons - former running back for the Cincinnati Bengals
* Corey Levin - football player
* Levi Lowrey - singer-songwriter
* Brittany Rogers (softball) - softball player
* Donna Sheldon - Politician. Founder and former director of Dacula Classical Academy. Member of Georgia House of Representatives for District 71, 104 and 105.
* Roba Stanley - Country singer.
* Gid Tanner - Country singer.
* Jason Wisdom - heavy metal vocalist and guitarist
* Will Hinton - Olympic Trap Shooter