The town was incorporated on January 1, 1890.[9] It is the largest city in Toombs County, but it is not the county seat.[10] The original name for the town was "Jenkins Station", after a local landowner, Warren T. Jenkins.[11] Although several origins for the town's modern name have been suggested, it was most likely given by a daughter of Samuel Hawkins, the president of the Savannah, Americus and Montgomery Railroad (later the S.A.M shortline),[11] though which of his four daughters suggested the name, or how she came to it, is not known.
Like many towns in the region, Vidalia grew up around a rail yard that served farmers in the area who grew such crops as pecans and tobacco. The area's famous onions[12] were not an important crop until much later.
In the 1950s, Piggly Wiggly grocery stores opened a distribution center in Vidalia, bringing with it a large influx of jobs as well as railroad business. At that time, Vidalia served as an interchange junction between the Seaboard Air Line Railroad and the Georgia and Florida. For this, a large seven-track yard was constructed, as well as a sizable engine servicing facility and interchange yard. The latter, smaller interchange yard is still in use to some degree by the Georgia Central Railway, while the larger yard was removed sometime in the 1970s. Dot Foods currently occupies most of the old Piggly Wiggly distribution center, with smaller companies leasing space.
The city is located along U.S. Route 280, which runs east–west through the center of town. U.S. 280 leads east 6 miles (10 km) to Lyons, the Toombs county seat, and southwest 12 miles (19 km) to Mount Vernon, the Montgomery county seat. Other highways that run through the city include Georgia State Routes 15, 130, 292, and 297.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Vidalia has a total area of 18.3 square miles (47 km2), of which 17.9 square miles (46 km2) are land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), or 2.03%, are water.[2] The city is drained to the south by Rocky Creek and to the north by Swift Creek; both are part of the Ohoopee River watershed.
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,785 people, 4,042 households, and 2,499 families residing in the city.
2000 census
Vidalia (left) and Vidalia Regional Airport (right)
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 10,491 people, 4,167 households, and 2,758 families residing in the city; of these, 160 people lived in Montgomery and the rest in Toombs counties. The population density was 605.4 inhabitants per square mile (233.7/km2). There were 4,676 housing units at an average density of 269.8 per square mile (104.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 59.61% White, 36.88% African American, 0.89% Asian, 0.14% Native American, 1.82% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.24% of the population.
There were 4,167 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 18.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,365, and the median income for a family was $40,091. Males had a median income of $30,180 versus $18,496 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,369. About 15.4% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Vidalia has a mixed economy, but its largest industry is agriculture. Since 1931, Granex onions grown in and near Vidalia have been licensed and sold internationally as Vidalia onions. In 1986, the Vidalia Onion Trademark Act granted a state trademark and protection on the onions of the Vidalia and Toombs County area. The 1989 Federal Marketing Order #955 of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service gave the growers and handlers the legal rights to establish the Vidalia Onion Committee, and it granted U.S. federal protection of the onion's name and production.
Onions
Vidalia is best known for its "sweet" onions. The Vidalia onion was first produced about 1931 when a farmer named Mose Coleman discovered that the onions he produced were sweeter than other onions. Other farmers started growing the same crop, and in the 1940s the Vidalia onion became an item sold to tourists.
Vidalia onion growers have protected their brand, and today all onions labelled Vidalia must be grown in one of thirteen different counties in Georgia or in specific portions of seven other counties. Because of their taste and reputation, they are able to command an increased price in the marketplace.
In 1990, the Vidalia onion was named as the official vegetable of the state of Georgia.
Arts and culture
Annual cultural events
Each spring Vidalia holds a world-famous Vidalia Onion Festival. The event lasts for five days and draws in many tourists with its wide variety of activities.[17]
Museums and other points of interest
The Altama Gallery is a museum of history and art located inside the restored Brazell House.[10]
The Vidalia Onion Museum provides guests with an interactive, historical experience. The 1,300 square feet (120 m2) space is filled with an array of education exhibits that highlight the sweet onion's economic, cultural and culinary significance. Located at 100 Vidalia Sweet Onion Drive.[18]
Education
Public schools
Vidalia welcome sign
Vidalia Public Schools are part of the Vidalia City School District. The school district holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school.[19] The district has 144 full-time teachers and over 2,408 students.[20]
The Paul Anderson Youth Home offers faith-based accredited preparatory education and substance abuse treatment to at-risk youth.[21]
Vidalia Heritage Academy provides development of character and academic excellence from a Christian perspective in a Christian environment for Preschool, Elementary School, and Middle/High School youth.
Notable people
Paul Anderson, Olympic weightlifter and strongman; founder of Paul Anderson Youth Home in Vidalia[22]
^"Vidalia". Georgia.gov. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
^ ab"Vidalia". Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
^ ab""Toombs County"". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
^"About Us". VidaliaOnion.org. The Vidalia® Onion Committee. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2016. 'Vidalia onions aren't just the most famous onions in the world; I think they may be the only famous onions in the world.' —Chef Bobby Flay
