What is the Northern Boundary of Central GA? (Atlanta, Columbus: zip codes, vs)

[GRS86]

We've had a long running thread and discussion, with a general consensus as to where does Central GA end, and South GA begins. Now, I have a question that isn't nearly as clear cut. Where does North GA end, and Central GA begin. IMHO, from a geographical POV, I-20 from Augusta over to Covington, then a line from Covington to Morrow to Union City, to Carrollton, on over to the AL line is the boundary between Northern and Central GA. Obviously, Metro Atlanta straddles both Northern and Central GA.

Culturally, it isn't as nearly as clear cut as the Central/South GA divide. Because of Metro Atlanta's ever increasing influence, and the resulting population growth, there are many places like Griffin, McDonough, Jackson, Monticello, Eatonton, Madison, Greensboro, Barnesville, and Thomaston that were historically considered Central GA both geographically and culturally, that are now considered to be a part of the Atlanta Metro region, gravitating more towards Metro Atlanta. A couple of these towns, Eatonton and Monticello, actually have Zip Codes that begin with 310, which indicate their mail being processed in Macon vs Metro Atlanta.

Also, from a media POW, the growth and dominance of the Eighth ranked Atlanta Media Market has all but pushed the influence that Macon once had out of the area. At one time, Macon area TV stations and newspapers were available in all of the above cities. In recent years, Macon TV stations (primarily 13 WMAZ) are only available in Eatonton, Monticello, and Thomaston. The Atlanta TV market basically goes as far south as LaGrange, Manchester, Thomaston, Barnesville, Monticello, and Eatonton. You have to go into to Monroe, Jones, or Crawford counties to where the Macon media is dominant. Even then, I'd say that in Monroe County and Forsyth, Macon's influence is only marginally greater than Atlanta's.

All of this being said, with the geographical boundary between North GA / Central GA being somewhat clear cut, where do you think the cultural boundary between the two fall?

[sedimenjerry]

Honestly I think Georgia is more or less split between north and south with the fall line being the transition zone.
Basically the piedmont and northward. Agriculture isn't as prevalent and like you said, the influence of Atlanta is pretty far reaching. If there is a central GA, it's pretty narrow along the fall line - Columbus <> Macon <> Augusta.

[midgeorgiaman]

Eatonton to Monticello to Jackson to Barnesville to Thomaston line. South of that is Central GA and more tied to Macon and Milledgeville. North of Eatonton is NE GA, north of Jackson is metro Atlanta, and Northwest of Thomaston is west GA. Baldwin, Jones, Monroe, Upson counties are middle GA. Jasper, Butts, Lamar are transitional.

Not scentific, just my gut feeling based on the "feel" of the area.

[Southern Soul Bro]

Originally Posted by midgeorgiaman

Eatonton to Monticello to Jackson to Barnesville to Thomaston line. South of that is Central GA and more tied to Macon and Milledgeville. North of Eatonton is NE GA, north of Jackson is metro Atlanta, and Northwest of Thomaston is west GA. Baldwin, Jones, Monroe, Upson counties are middle GA. Jasper, Butts, Lamar are transitional.

Not scentific, just my gut feeling based on the "feel" of the area.

agreed

[Iconographer]

Carrollton>Atlanta>Athens>Augusta.

I really think of anything below these cities as being in central GA.

[Fountain-of-youth]

Troup county for the western boarder,Lincoln county for eastern boarder.