Our Communities and Neighbors
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Emanuel County is a community defined by its small-town charm, close-knit neighborhoods, and deep-rooted history. Our eight cities—Swainsboro, Twin City, Adrian, Garfield, Stillmore, Summertown, Nunez, and Oak Park—each contribute their own unique stories and character to the fabric of our county. From bustling crossroads to serene retreats, these cities embody the spirit of Emanuel County.
City of Swainsboro
As the county seat, the City of Swainsboro is at the heart of Emanuel County.
Known as the "Crossroads of the Great South," it is where U.S. Highways 1 and 80 intersect.
Originally named “Paris” in 1854, it regained its original name three years later in honor of state senator Stephen Swain for his introduction of the bill that ultimately created Emanuel County.
Fun Fact
Streetlights in Swainsboro were first turned on in December 1889.
Population
7,542 (according to 2022 data)
Size
12.58 square miles
Mayor:
Greg Bennett
Council Members
Julian Sconyers, Johnny Ray Stafford, Bobbie Collins, Roddrigus Foster, Greg Quarterman
City of Twin City
As the “little city with the big history,” the City of Twin City is a proud part of Emanuel County. It formed in 1921 by the merger of the neighboring identical "twin" towns of Summit and Graymont.
Twin City is also home to the nearby George L. Smith State Park, a popular destination featuring the historic Parrish Mill and Pond, a combination grist mill, sawmill, covered bridge, and dam built in 1880.
Fun Fact
Twin City’s Pop Boogie Park, a historic series of fields now being revitalized, once hosted Negro Baseball League games and remains a symbol of the community’s love for sports.
Population
1,849 (according to 2022 data)
Size
3.61 square miles
Mayor:
Matt Donaldson
Council Members
Jule Bady Jr., Jesse Brown, William "Buck" Brown III, Charles Moody
City of Adrian
Adrian sits at the crossroads of Emanuel, Johnson, Montgomery, and Laurens counties, giving it a unique place in our region.
As one of three Emanuel County towns near I-16, along with Oak Park and Stillmore, Adrian was named in 1899 by its first postmaster, W.R. Smith, who helped shape its identity.
Fun Fact
An Adrian resident, Lily Futrelle, mothered a son who died in the sinking of the RMS Titanic.
Population
614 (according to 2022 data)
Size
1.42 square miles
Mayor:
Sandra Bailes
Council Members
John Morrison, Bruce Miller, Gary Green, William Richardson
City of Garfield
Garfield, incorporated in 1905, has been a small but enduring town throughout Emanuel County's history.
Its post office, established in 1882, has been a central part of the community, serving as a connection point for residents. Though it’s uncertain for whom the town was named, one theory ties it to President James Garfield, who was assassinated in 1881.
Fun Fact
The town’s population peaked at just over 400 in the 1920s, embodying the quiet charm of rural heritage.
Population
205 (according to 2022 data)
Size
0.80 square miles
Mayor:
Tommy Paul
Council Members
Bill Cahill, Teah Gay, James Anderson, Latrail Sheffield, Zach Proctor
City of Nunez
Nunez (pronounced “Noo-nez,” not “Noon-yez” as its spelling might suggest) is one of Emanuel County’s smallest towns with a big impact.
Formed in 1905, it is now home to a major lumber mill that plays an important role in not only the county's but the entire region's timber trade and economy.
Fun Fact
The town's namesake is a toss-up between two individuals, both of whom earn Nunez credit for being rooted in healthcare and community service: Dr. Samuel Nunez, known for his role in stopping a contagious epidemic in Georgia’s colonial days, and Dr. Jackson Morgan Nunez, a longtime local physician dedicated to serving Emanuel County.
Population
131 (according to 2022 data)
Size
1.31 square miles
Mayor:
Shelly Wimberly
Council Members
Sheila Kirby, Jessica Wimberly, Britany Turbyfill, Hunter Hooks
City of Oak Park
The City of Oak Park, incorporated in 1904, began as a small settlement originally known as "Sol" in 1880 before briefly being renamed "Horace."
The town owes its development to Hansel R. Williamson, who designated land for homes, businesses, churches, a school, and a depot, laying the foundation for a thriving rural community. Today, Oak Park is one of three Emanuel County towns near I-16, alongside Stillmore and Adrian, offering convenience for travelers and commerce.
Fun Fact
In 1934, Oak Park’s city council made history as an all-woman governing body, a period fondly remembered as “Petticoat Rule.”
Population
528 (according to 2022 data)
Size
7.22 square miles
Mayor:
Mickey Lindsey
Council Members
Robert Warnock, Janie Soto, Penny Jones, Amanda Jones, Mayra Hernandez
City of Stillmore
Incorporated in 1903, Stillmore was first known as "Kea's Mill." The town’s name was changed to its current moniker after the U.S. Post Office offered to send “still more” suggestions for a name, a choice that reflects the citizens’ sense of humor.
Stillmore is also the hometown of George L. Smith, a former Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. Smith played a key role in shaping Georgia’s legislative process, championing rural development and public education.
Fun Fact
Stillmore is the setting for Stillmore, Georgia, a 2010 play written, produced, and directed by Pennsylvania playwright Brad Ogden. The work explores themes of small-town life and family dynamics.
Population
712 (according to 2022 data)
Size
3.20 square miles
Mayor:
Regan Slater
Council Members
Eddie Allen, Brad Daughtry, Susan Mincey, Kymberly Bowman
City of Summertown
Summertown originated as Summerville in the 1850s, serving as a summer refuge for well-to-do families from nearby northern neighbor Burke County seeking to escape malaria.
A post office was granted in 1876, with C.I. Hughes serving as the first postmaster, and the town was officially incorporated as Summertown in 1906.
Fun Fact
The town has had at least two schools since its inception. The earliest we know of is the historic Summerville Academy, which was chartered on March 4, 1856. Much later, Summertown had its own elementary school, which operated into the 1970s.
Population
260 (according to 2022 data)
Size
0.79 square miles
Mayor:
Don Bishop
Council Members
Joe Kirkland, Nicky Drake, Linda Braddy, Tracy Radford
Though these are our only officially chartered and incorporated cities, Emanuel County is also home to several unincorporated communities like Dellwood, Modoc, Blun, and others, each with its own distinct personality and place in our history.
Our Neighbors
Emanuel County’s sense of community extends beyond its borders, strengthened by ties to neighboring counties that enrich our region’s culture, economy, and shared history. Several major highways create vital connections, fostering strong relationships and making travel easy.
- Burke County:
Linked via Highway 56, Burke County is steeped in Revolutionary War history and agricultural traditions. Its county seat is Waynesboro, The Bird Dog Capitol of the World. Barbecue reigns king with its infamous Boss Hog Cook-off every year in May.
- Jefferson County:
Connected by Highway 1, Jefferson County's county seat of Louisville boasts a unique place in Georgia history as the state's first capitol.
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Johnson County:
Connected through Highway 57, Johnson County is home to Wrightsville, which brings visitors by the hundreds each summer for the town's famous Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration.
- Laurens County: Accessible from Emanuel by Highway 80, Laurens County is steeped in tradition, thanks to its county seat of Dublin when the city turns green and gold every spring for its Saint Patrick events. This same city is where Martin Luther King Jr. gave one of his initial civil rights movement speeches.
- Treutlen County: Linked via Interstate 16, Treutlen County offers scenic countryside and a quiet, rural charm that complements Emanuel County’s own character. Arts and crafts lovers flock to the county seat of Soperton every spring for its Million Pines Festival.
- Montgomery County: Connected by Highway 297, Montgomery County’s county seat, Mount Vernon, is named after George Washington’s estate. Two well-known sons of the county include: Pennsylvania House of Representatives member Theodore Johnson and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith.
- Toombs County:
Connected by the Highway 1 Bypass and Highway 297, Toombs County is rooted in agriculture, much like Emanuel. Its biggest commodity is the world-famous sweet onions named after the county's largest city, Vidalia. Toombs's onion economy is so strong the area pays homage to it through the yearly Vidalia Onion Festival.
- Tattnall County:
Sharing via U.S. Highway 1, Tattnall County's county seat, Reidsville, was part of the original historic Woodpecker Route, a scenic trail developed to promote tourism and travel in the 1920s. The route later expanded into the Woodpecker Trail, including other cities in Tattnall and parts of Emanuel County.
- Candler County:
Linked by both Highway 46 and I-16, Candler County is home to Metter, whose slogan proudly claims, "Everything’s Better in Metter." The county celebrates its charm and southern hospitality each April with Another Bloomin’ Festival, a cleverly named event that’s both a nod to its floral focus and a playful take on the phrase, “yet another festival!” This combination of wit and beauty makes Candler County a delightful neighbor to Emanuel.
- Bulloch County: Accessible from Emanuel County by U.S. Highway 25, Bulloch County is home to Georgia Southern University, a renowned institution known for its high-quality education and vibrant campus life. Its close proximity makes it the postsecondary institution of choice for many Emanuel County students, offering opportunities to pursue degrees and careers while staying connected to their roots.
- Jenkins County: Sharing U.S. Highway 25 with Emanuel County, Jenkins County owes part of its creation to land carved from Emanuel. Its county seat, Millen, serves as the heart of the community and is the proud birthplace of two former Georgia governors, Melvin E. Thompson and Nathan Deal.