# Martinez, Georgia

Martinez (/ˌmɑːrtɪˈnɛz/ MARTIN-EZ) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Columbia County, Georgia, United States. It is a northwestern suburb of Augusta and is part of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area. The population was 34,535 at the 2020 census.

## Geography

Martinez is located in eastern Columbia County at 33°30′58″N 82°6′0″W﻿ / ﻿33.51611°N 82.10000°W﻿ / 33.51611; -82.10000 (33.516089, -82.100024). It is bordered to the southeast by the city of Augusta in Richmond County. To the north and northwest is the CDP of Evans. Interstate 20 forms the short southern boundary of Martinez, with access from Exits 194 (Georgia State Route 383/South Belair Road) and 195 (Wheeler Road).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 14.6 square miles (37.9 km$^2$), of which 14.5 square miles (37.6 km$^2$) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km$^2$), or 0.76%, is water.
Martinez has an elevation of 361 feet (110 m) above sea level, about 200 feet (61 m) higher than downtown Augusta. The areas of the CDP closest to the Richmond County line tend to be relatively flat, while land further west is hillier. Trees in Martinez are seen mainly in the subdivisions, as the main roads are crowded with businesses. They include pine, oak, sweet gum, hickory, and a variety of other species.

## History

The founder was Jose Antonio Martinez y Zaldivar, a wealthy man from Camagüey Cuba. He bought land in Columbia County in 1869 and named it El Cordero Ranch; Cordero means Lamb.
On November 5, 1876, Marie Martinez married Mr. George Perrin at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Augusta, Georgia. The 1880 US Census indicates George was a druggist and was 29 years old. Marie was 22, and they resided on Broad Street #1109. The couple had one son, Thomas Wright Perrin, born on August 23, 1885. El Cordero Ranch is now only 20 acres in size. His old hacienda and several buildings, barns and a water tower still stand off Old Ferry Road in Martinez (near the intersection of River Watch Parkway and Baston Road).

## Demographics

Martinez was first listed as a CDP in the 1980 U.S. Census.

### 2020 census

Martinez, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. :
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
| White alone (NH) | 22,883 | 26,740 | 23,058 | 82.46% | 74.70% | 66.77% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 2,196 | 4,464 | 4,770 | 7.91% | 12.47% | 13.81% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 63 | 103 | 76 | 0.23% | 0.29% | 0.22% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 1,554 | 1,961 | 2,186 | 5.60% | 5.48% | 6.33% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 19 | 80 | 86 | 0.07% | 0.22% | 0.25% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 48 | 70 | 191 | 0.17% | 0.20% | 0.55% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 346 | 847 | 1,883 | 1.25% | 2.37% | 5.45% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 640 | 1,530 | 2,285 | 2.31% | 4.27% | 6.62% |
| Total | 27,749 | 35,795 | 34,535 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 34,535 people, 11,780 households, and 8,153 families residing in the CDP.

## Schools

The school district is Columbia County School System.
* Lakeside High School
* Evans High School
* Greenbrier High School
* Adventist Christian School
* Lakeside Middle School
* Riverside Middle School
* Columbia Middle School
* Greenbrier Middle School
* Evans Middle School
* Stallings Island Middle School
* Martinez Elementary School
* Blue Ridge Elementary School
* Westmont Elementary School
* South Columbia Elementary School
* Stevens Creek Elementary School
Private schools:
* Augusta Preparatory Day School
* Augusta Christian Schools

## Highways

* I-20
* SR 28
* SR 104
* SR 232
* SR 383
* SR 402