Valdosta, Georgia

Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County, Georgia, United States. It is the principal city of the Valdosta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 43,724. The Census 2005 estimate showed a population of 124,838 in the Valdosta metropolitan area. The median income for a household in the city was $29,046, and the median income for a family was $38,174. The racial makeup of the city was 47.71% White, 48.49% African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.18% of the population.

Valdosta is the home of Valdosta State University (VSU), founded in 1906 as South Georgia State Normal College for Women. It became part of the University System of Georgia in 1950. Valdosta State College achieved university status and became VSU in 1993. Valdosta Technical College is also located in the city. Valdosta deems itself the Azalea City and hosts an annual Azalea Festival in March.

Located in the far southern portion of the state, near the Florida line, it is a commercial center of south Georgia with numerous manufacturing plants. The surrounding area produces tobacco, turpentine, pine lumber, and pulpwood. Moody Air Force Base is located nearby, and transport is provided mainly by Interstate 75, whos ebuilding was an important boost tot he local economy. Many vacationing Americans on their way to Florida make Valdosta a convenient "last stop" on their way to Disney World and the Orlando area, especially those coming from the Midwest and Ontario, Canada.