Lithonia, Georgia
City in Georgia, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lithonia (/lɪˈθoʊniə/ lih-THOH-nee-ə, AAVE: /laɪ-/ ly-) is a city in eastern DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The city's population was 2,662 at the 2020 census. Lithonia is in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Lithonia, Georgia | |
|---|---|
Welcome sign on Main Street in Lithonia | |
 Seal | |
| Motto: City of Granite | |
 Location in DeKalb County and the state of Georgia | |
  Lithonia, Georgia Location in the Atlanta metropolitan area | |
| Coordinates: 33°42′46″N 84°6′21″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | DeKalb |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Shameka Reynolds |
| • DeKalb County CEO | Michael L. Thurmond |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.93 sq mi (2.41 km2) |
| • Land | 0.93 sq mi (2.40 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 925 ft (282 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 2,662 |
| • Density | 2,869.1/sq mi (1,107.78/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 30038, 30058 |
| Area codes | 770, 678 |
| FIPS code | 13-46860[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0325978[3] |
| Website | www |
"Lithonia" means "city/town of stone". Lithonia is in the heart of the Georgian granite-quarrying and viewing region, hence the name of the town, from the Greek lithos, for “stone”.[4] The huge nearby Stone Mountain is composed of granite, while the Lithonia gneiss is a form of metamorphic rock. The Stone Mountain granite is younger than, and has intruded the Lithonia gneiss. The area has a history of rock quarries. The mines were served by the Georgia Railroad and Atlanta, Stone Mountain & Lithonia Railway. Some of the rock quarries have been converted to parkland, and the rail lines to rail-trail.
Lithonia is one of the gateways to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area,[5] which is largely contained inside Stonecrest, Georgia.
Geography
Lithonia is located in southeastern DeKalb County at 33°42′46″N 84°6′21″W (33.712658, -84.105897).[6] Interstate 20 passes just south of the community, with access from Exits 74 and 75. Lithonia is 18 miles (29 km) east of the center of Atlanta. Some areas in extreme southern Gwinnett County use a Lithonia postal address near the county line.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.89 square miles (2.3 km2), all land.[7]
History
In 1805, Lithonia began as a small crossroads settlement of farmers. The town grew with the coming of the Atlanta Augusta Railroad in 1845, which allowed the granite quarrying industry in the area to flourish.[8]
Lithonia is the birthplace of the Lithonia Lighting company, one of North America's largest manufacturers of commercial, institutional, industrial and residential light fixtures,[citation needed] which was founded in the city in 1946 but moved to nearby Conyers in the 1950s.
Lithonia Historic District
The Lithonia Historic District consists of a commercial core surrounded by residential areas, with a period of significance spanning from 1845 to 1964. Stylistic influences in the district include Second Empire, Queen Anne, Folk Victorian, Neoclassical Revival, English Vernacular Revival, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival. The district is bisected by the Georgia/CSX Railroad, which runs perpendicular to the historic commercial core's primary thoroughfare, Main Street. The commercial area extends south from the intersection of Main Street and the railroad, covering a two-block area. The commercial buildings are primarily brick and local granite masonry, with little decorative detailing. Commercial styles include single retail, multiple retail, and retail and office types. Within the historic district, there is some non-historic infill construction such as the 1968 Lithonia Plaza shopping center.
The residential areas contain architecture typical of late 19th- to mid 20th-century types and styles. Residential neighborhoods also feature locally quarried granite and gneiss. House types and styles include the central hall Georgian cottage, gabled-wing cottage, Queen Anne cottage, New South cottage, pyramidal cottage, bungalow, Ranch house, I-House and Queen Anne house.
Landmark properties include the Masonic Lodge (1916), The Lithonia Women's Club (1928), the Lithonia First United Methodist Church (1910), Antioch Baptist Church (1911), Lithonia Presbyterian Church, The Union Missionary Church (1911), the Bruce Street equalization school (c.1953), and The Seminary (1895). Contributing sites in the district include two cemeteries, two parks, the former Georgia Railroad Quarry, and the ruins of the Bruce Street School for African-Americans (1938).[8]
The district is significant under National Register criterion A (association with historic events) and C (architecture), with areas of significance in Architecture, Black and European Ethnic Heritage, Community Planning and Development, Industry, and Transportation.
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 266 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,182 | 344.4% | |
| 1900 | 1,208 | 2.2% | |
| 1910 | 1,428 | 18.2% | |
| 1920 | 1,269 | −11.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,457 | 14.8% | |
| 1940 | 1,554 | 6.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,538 | −1.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,667 | 8.4% | |
| 1970 | 2,270 | 36.2% | |
| 1980 | 2,637 | 16.2% | |
| 1990 | 2,448 | −7.2% | |
| 2000 | 2,187 | −10.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,924 | −12.0% | |
| 2020 | 2,662 | 38.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1850-1870[11] 1870-1880[12] 1890-1910[13] 1920-1930[14] 1940[15] 1950[16] 1960[17] 1970[18] 1980[19] 1990[20] 2000[21] 2010[22] | |||
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 128 | 4.81% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 2,212 | 83.1% |
| Native American | 3 | 0.11% |
| Asian | 18 | 0.68% |
| Other/Mixed | 98 | 3.68% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 203 | 7.63% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,662 people, 938 households, and 524 families residing in the city.
Hospitals
The three main health facilities in Lithonia are:
- Emory Hillandale Hospital is the newest hospital in DeKalb.
- Kaiser Permanente runs two community health clinics in Lithonia: Panola Road Clinic, and the Stonecrest Clinic.
- East DeKalb Health Center
Education
DeKalb County Public Schools operates public schools.[24] Lithonia Middle School is the only school located in the city limits of Lithonia.[25]
The schools that serve the city limits of Lithonia are: Stoneview Elementary School in Stonecrest,[26] Lithonia Middle School,[27] and Lithonia High School in Stonecrest (formerly Redan CDP).[28]
Universities
- Luther Rice University of Theological Studies
- Strayer University
Public libraries
DeKalb County Public Library operates the Lithonia-Davidson Library the main library source in Lithonia, which was once privately owned until being incorporated into the DeKalb County Public Library system in 1947.
Transportation
MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) provides connecting bus service to and from Lithonia, and GRTA Xpress (Georgia Rapid Transit Authority) provides commuter bus service to downtown Atlanta from a community park and ride lot.
Notable people
- Kevin Byard III, professional football defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears.
- Hank Johnson, U.S. representative for Georgia's 4th congressional district, former DeKalb County commissioner and associate magistrate judge[29]
- Jakobi Meyers, professional football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Broderick Jones, professional football offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In popular culture
The city was the title subject of the 2024 Childish Gambino song of the same name, Lithonia.
Lithonia was also utilized in the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit, starring Burt Reynolds, Jerry Reed, Jackie Gleason, and Sally Field.
