Montezuma is a city in Macon County, Georgia (ZIP code 31063). The population was 3,460 at the 2010 census, a decrease of 13.5% since 2000. It is home to the armory of Bravo Company, 648th Engineers of the Georgia Army National Guard.
History
Montezuma had its start in 1851, when the railroad was extended to that point. The city was named after the famous Aztec leader by soldiers returning from the Mexican-American War. It was incorporated in 1854.
Montezuma is also home to a thriving Mennonite community, because 10 to 15 Mennonite families moved from Virginia in the 1950s.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.5 square miles (11.7 km), of which, 4.5 square miles (11.7 km) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km) of it (0.66%) is water.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,047 people, 1,276 households, and 898 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,999 people, 1,501 households, and 1,050 families residing in the city. The population density was 887.9 people per square mile (343.1/km). There were 1,673 housing units at an average density of 371.5 per square mile (143.5/km). The racial makeup of the city was 28.03% White, 69.84% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.70% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.40% of the population.
There were 1,501 households, out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.7% were married couples living together, 29.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.1% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 22.3% 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 81.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $23,022, and the median income for a family was $27,469. Males had a median income of $26,226 versus $16,995 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,168. About 21.8% of families and 25.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.1% of those under age 18 and 17.1% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Education is provided by the Macon County School District. Macon County Middle School, and Macon County High School, are both located in Montezuma.
Notable people
Jim Colzie, baseball player in the Negro leagues
