Plains, Georgia

Plains is a city in Sumter County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 573. It is well-known as the home and final resting place of Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, who were the 39th president and first lady of the United States from 1977 to 1981.

Originally inhabited by the Muscogee people, three small settlements existed close to what would become Plains by the 1840s: Lebanon, Magnolia Springs, and Plains of Dura. In 1885, a significant turning point occurred when a major east–west railroad extended into the area and led to the three settlements being consolidated into one. As railway access expanded into the region in response to increased cotton farming, these settlements coalesced closer to the new railway location. As businesses rapidly developed, local businessmen successfully petitioned the Georgia State Legislature to shorten "Plains of Dura" to simply "Plains." The city was incorporated in 1896.

Plains continued to experience growth fueled by cotton cultivation into the early 20th century. A substantial school and the pioneering Wise Sanitarium were both built in the 1920s. Despite branching into peanut cultivation, the city’s prosperity mostly eroded during the Great Depression and its once vital train depot permanently ceased passenger operations in 1951.

The city remained a small and quiet one until the political ascent of Plains native Jimmy Carter. In 1971, he became Georgia's governor. In 1976, although barely known outside of Georgia, he ran as a dark horse candidate for President of the United States, winning that election and serving as president from 1977 to 1981. During the 1976 presidential election and for many years afterwards, the city saw a giant influx in tourism due to Carter's name, with nearly 10,000 people (around 18 times the population of Plains) pouring into the community daily.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), all land. The city's boundary is in the shape of a circle. It is located in west-south-western Georgia, 120 miles (190 km) due south of Atlanta.

This area climate is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Plains has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Plains is part of the Americus Micropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the 2000 census, there were 637 people, 215 households, and 136 families residing in the city. The population density was 780.0 inhabitants per square mile (301.2/km²). There were 244 housing units at an average density of 298.8 per square mile (115.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 38.62% White, 59.81% African American, 1.26% from other races, and 0.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.83% of the population. There were 215 households, out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.7% were married couples living together, 24.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.31.