College Park is a city located partly in Fulton County, Georgia and partially in Clayton County, Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 20,382 (Fulton: 18,810; Clayton: 1,572). College Park is a predominantly African American city adjacent to the busy Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Just west of the Atlanta Airport is the Georgia International Convention Center (opened April 2003), which is Georgia's second largest convetion center-- second only to the Georgia World Congress Center. The GICC is owned and operated by the City of College Park.
The city is home to rap sensation Ludacris, who was a DJ for an Atlanta-area radio station, WHTA before going worldwide.
College Park is located at 33°38'54" North, 84°27'22" West (33.648209, -84.456007).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.2 km2 (9.7 mi2). 25.1 km2 (9.7 mi2) of it is land and 0.10% is water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 20,382 people, 7,810 households, and 4,600 families residing in the city. The population density is 810.5/km2 (2,099.8/mi2). There are 8,351 housing units at an average density of 332.1/km2 (860.3/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 12.39% White, 81.81% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 3.33% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. 6.86% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 7,810 households out of which 35.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 22.9% are married couples living together, 28.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% are non-families. 30.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.59 and the average family size is 3.24.
In the city the population is spread out with 30.2% under the age of 18, 14.4% from 18 to 24, 35.7% from 25 to 44, 14.9% from 45 to 64, and 4.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 27 years. For every 100 females there are 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $30,846, and the median income for a family is $32,655. Males have a median income of $26,644 versus $22,412 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,371. 19.2% of the population and 16.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 23.4% of those under the age of 18 and 20.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Established in 1890, College Park has a rich history. The city has 853 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior. Originally, College Park was known as Manchester and was renamed by Lula Roper-- who placed the name in a lottery. The reason for the name College Park was that the city was once home to Cox College (where the city hall and other buildings now reside) and Southern Military Academy (now Woodward Academy).
Also, the east-west streets (avenues) are named for Ivy League institutions and the north-south streets are named for influential College Park residents.