# Baxley, Georgia

Baxley is a city in Appling County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 4,942. The city is the county seat of Appling County.

## History

Baxley was first settled as a result of the Macon and Brunswick Railroad being built through Appling County in 1870. Originally, it was a railroad depot known as Station Number 7, but soon was named Baxley (after one of the community's first settlers, Wilson Baxley of North Carolina). Baxley incorporated in 1875.

## Geography

Baxley is approximately 42 miles (68 km) east of Douglas, 47 miles (76 km) north of Waycross and 29 miles (47 km) southwest of Glennville.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.4 square miles (21.7 km$^2$), of which 0.012 square miles (0.03 km$^2$), or 0.16%, is water.

## Demographics

Baxley racial composition as of 2020 :
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 2,338 | 47.31% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 1,696 | 34.32% |
| Native American | 3 | 0.06% |
| Asian | 89 | 1.8% |
| Other/Mixed | 154 | 3.12% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 662 | 13.4% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,942 people, 1,436 households, and 1,068 families residing in the city.

## Economy

The Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Power Plant is located north of the city along U.S. Route 1, on the banks of the Altamaha River. It is the area's largest employer.
International Forest Products Limited operates a sawmill employing over 50 people.

## Education

Appling County students in K-12 grades are in the Appling County School District, which consists of four elementary schools (three include a pre-school), a middle school and a high school. The district has 210 full-time teachers and over 3,303 students.
* Altamaha Elementary School
* Appling County Primary School
* Appling County Elementary School
* Fourth District Elementary School
* Appling County Middle School
* Appling County High School

## Notable people

* Robert Butler, painter best known for his portrayals of the woods and backwaters around Florida's Everglades; member of the African-American artists' group The Highwaymen
* Byron Buxton, Major League Baseball outfielder; second overall pick (drafted by the Minnesota Twins) in the 2012 MLB draft; 2022 All-Star
* Dexter Carter, running back for San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets from 1990 to 1996; born in Baxley and graduated from Appling County High School
* Frankie King, NBA guard for Los Angeles Lakers (1995); born in Baxley
* The Lacs, country/rap music group; from Baxley
* Caroline Miller, Georgia's first Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist; received the award for Lamb in His Bosom in 1934
* Jamie Nails, NFL guard for Buffalo Bills (1997–2000) and Miami Dolphins (2002–2003); born in Baxley
* Janisse Ray, author of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood (1999), a memoir about growing up in Baxley which includes description of the ecosystem of the vanishing longleaf pine that once covered the area
* Carl Simpson, defensive tackle for Chicago Bears (1993–1997), Arizona Cardinals (1998–1999), and Las Vegas Outlaws (2001)
* Harry Skipper, defensive back in the CFL, Montreal Concordes and Saskatchewan Roughriders, 1983–1989
* Vonzell Solomon, nicknamed Baby V, singer and actress
* Michael Timpson, wide receiver for New England Patriots (1989–1994), Chicago Bears (1995–1996), and Philadelphia Eagles (1997); born in Baxley