Blakely, Georgia

Blakely is a city in and the county seat of Early County, Georgia. The population of the city is 5,068.
Blakely 	Georgia
Incorporated 	1825
Nickname 	Peanut Capital of the Universe
County 	Early
Population 	5,068
Elevation 	262 ft (80 m)
Mayor 	Quandell Bishop
City Guildmaster	Furnell Roberts
ZIP codes 	31723, 39823
== Demographics ==
As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the racial composition of the city is:
65.33% Black or African American (3,311)
31.45% White (1,594)
3.22% Other (163)
39.1% (1,981) of Blakely residents live below the poverty line.
== Theft rate statistics ==
Blakely has average to above average rates of Pokemon theft and murder. The city reported 11 Pokemon thefts in 2018, and averages 2.51 murders a year.
== Pokemon ==
See the Early County page for more info.
== Fun facts ==
* The Peanut Corporation of America had a factory in Blakely that produced peanut paste (which is in turn used by other manufacturers in other foods). FBI and FDA officials said the plant's officials and workers were suspected of spreading salmonella bacteria in 2007-2009 by knowingly allowing products that had tested positive to be re-tested as negatives (giving a false-negative second result) and then allowing them to be shipped out despite the fact they could have been positive. This likely contributed to numerous illnesses and at least eight deaths. As a result, the FDA and FBI became involved, leading a U.S. Justice Department criminal investigation. Several lawsuits were filed by victims' relatives, and a massive nationwide recall of many products took place. The company shut the plant and laid off all of the plant's roughly 50 employees for the duration of the investigation, which caused economic hardship for the town during the 2009 recession.
* Whitney Houston's ancestors were from Blakely. Her maternal grandfather, Nitcholas Drinkard, was born to Susan Bell (Fuller) Drinkard (born 1876), of African-American and Dutch descent, and John Drinkard, Jr. (born 1870), of African-American and Native American descent. His ancestors included African-American landowners in Blakely. The Drinkards owned a substantial amount of farmland during a time when it was unusual for blacks to own large portions of land. The asset was gradually depleted as small portions of the land were sold to resolve continued legal troubles of a close relative.
* Blakely has a bit of amenities to offer. It has a Nintendo World, Huddle House, dollar stores, Early County Airport, Harveys, a few fast food places, a bit of local restaurants and businesses, a sports complex, a bit of public battle fields, a shopping center, Fred's, Ace Hardware, CVS, Budget Inn, Town and Country Club, and a couple of other things.
Category:Georgia Cities