Doraville, Georgia

Doraville, Georgia
City
Doraville City Hall
Motto(s):  "Diversity, Vitality, Community"
Location in DeKalb County and the U.S. state of Georgia
Doraville Doraville location in Metro Atlanta
Coordinates: 33°54′19″N 84°16′26″W
Country	United States
State	Georgia
County	DeKalb
Area
• Total	3.6 sq mi (9.3 km2)
• Land	3.6 sq mi (9.3 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	1,073 ft (327 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	8,330
• Estimate  (2018)	10,526
• Density	2,326/sq mi (898.0/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	30340, 30360, 30362
Area code	770
FIPS code	13-23536
GNIS feature ID	0325924
Website	doravillega.us

Doraville is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The municipality is northeast of Atlanta. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 8,330.

History

Doraville was incorporated by an act of the Georgia General Assembly, approved December 15, 1871. From its development until the 1940s, Doraville was a small agricultural community that served the interests of a larger surrounding farming area.

At the end of World War II, Doraville was on a main railroad line, and had a new water system available. General Motors selected Doraville as the site for its new assembly plant. The growth of Doraville exploded in the late 1940s and the 1950s as a result. In the late 1940s, plans for Guilford Village, the first subdivision, were announced by Southern Builders and Engineering Company. The 112-home subdivision at Tilly Mill and Flowers Roads was to cover some 58 acres.

In 1950, Doraville's population was 472. By 1964, its population was 6,160 and its land area was 1,722 acres. Part of the population growth during that period was because of the annexation of Northwoods in 1949 and Oakcliff in 1958.

By the 1980s, Doraville and neighboring Chamblee attracted immigrants relocating to the Atlanta area who settled along Buford Highway. The result is one of the largest Asian communities in the country. Many Latin American countries are also represented. 56% of residents speak a language other than English as a first language.

The Doraville MARTA Station was built in 1992, destroying the few buildings that remained of Doraville's downtown.

The GM Doraville Assembly Plant closed in 2009.

Geography

Doraville is located at 33°54′19″N 84°16′26″W (33.905302, -84.273870). Doraville is northeast of Chamblee, southeast of Dunwoody, southwest of Norcross and Peachtree Corners, and northwest of Tucker.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²), of which 0.004 square miles (0.01 km²), or 0.11%, is water. Crooked Creek, a tributary of the Chattahoochee River, runs through Doraville.

The City of Doraville is located in DeKalb County.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	103		—
1910	147		—
1920	152		3.4%
1930	195		28.3%
1940	300		53.8%
1950	472		57.3%
1960	4,437		840.0%
1970	9,157		106.4%
1980	7,414		−19.0%
1990	7,626		2.9%
2000	9,862		29.3%
2010	8,330		−15.5%
2018 (est.)	10,526		26.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,862 people, 2,998 households, and 1,981 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,747.0 people per square mile (1,060.7/km²). There were 3,102 housing units at an average density of 864.1 per square mile (333.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 46.35% White, 14.77% African American, 1.28% Native American, 12.67% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 20.62% from other races, and 4.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 43.44% of the population.

Ethnic market on Buford Highway

There were 2,998 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.24 and the average family size was 3.62.

In the city, the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 14.9% from 18 to 24, 38.7% from 25 to 44, 16.4% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 127.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 134.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,641, and the median income for a family was $41,903. Males had a median income of $23,681 versus $22,165 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,048. About 9.6% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Since the closure of the GM Assembly Plant, Doraville's economy has carried on with a mix of small, medium businesses. Many small ethnic restaurants can be found along Buford Highway and Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

Doraville is the Corporate Home of: Big Green Egg, Third Rail Studios and Serta Simmons Bedding. Third Rail Studios and Serta Simmons are in a tax allocation district and do not pay taxes to the city and do not contribute to the city's general fund.

Government

Doraville has a Council/City Manager form of government with a part-time ceremonial mayor. Doraville is organized into three districts. Each district has two council members that are elected to serve four terms. The office of part-time ceremonial mayor is a four-year term.

Architecture

Doraville has three distinct neighborhoods that all have a variety of post World War 2 styles. Northwoods has bungalow, mid-century, and split-level styles. Oakcliff has primarily 1960's ranch-style and split-level architecture. The oldest neighborhood is Tilly Mill where bungalow and ranch styles are prevalent. Modern infill homes have been built in Northwoods and Tilly Mill neighborhoods.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

DeKalb County School System serves Doraville.

The following elementary schools serve sections of Doraville:

• Cary Reynolds Elementary School (Doraville)
• Chesnut Elementary School (Dunwoody)
• Hightower Elementary School (Doraville)
• Huntley Hills Elementary School (Chamblee)
• The future Doraville United Elementary (Doraville) beginning 2020-2021 school year

The following middle schools serve sections of Doraville:

• Chamblee Middle School (Chamblee)
• Peachtree Charter Middle School (Dunwoody)
• Sequoyah Middle School (Doraville)

The following high schools serve sections of Doraville:

• Chamblee High School (Chamblee)
• Cross Keys High School (Brookhaven)
• Dunwoody High School (Dunwoody)

Public libraries

The City of Doraville operates its own library funded with local taxes. DeKalb County also taxes Doraville residents for that service making residents pay twice for their library.

Transportation

Major roads and expressways

• I-285
• SR 141
• US 23

Mass transit

For mass transit, the city is served by the Doraville MARTA station and is connected to the Gwinnett Transit System.

Pedestrians and cycling

Doraville has an older sidewalk network. Beginning in 2016 the city began a rejuvenation trend and has begun repairs and the installation of new sidewalk segments.

Parks

The Doraville Parks include Active parks: Honeysuckle Park, Fleming Arena, the Paul Murphy Boxing Club, and Bernard Halpern Park. Doraville's passive parks are: Autumn Park, Brook Park, Chicopee Park, English Oak Park, Flowers Park.

Notable people

• Atlanta Rhythm Section, 70s Southern rock/adult contemporary band, formed in Doraville.

External links

• City of Doraville
• City-Data.com - comprehensive statistical data and more about Doraville
• Doraville Life online magazine
• Doraville.com - local business directory