Communities

Peach County is a unique blend of the past and the present. It is Georgia's youngest county, and it also holds the historic distinction of being Georgia's last new county. It is growing, energetic, optimistic and progressive ... a place where people from all walks of life can find an environment to suit their lifestyles. It is alive with community spirit, with pride, with excitement and cultural diversity. All in all, it's a great place to live, own a business, work and play.

Conveniently located near Georgia's major interstate highway and the world's busiest airport, Peach County was founded in 1924 and was the last county to be created in the state. The population is estimated at 27,622 by the census bureau, as of the 2012 census. Byron and Fort Valley are the county's two incorporated cities and Fort Valley is the county seat.

Peach County is home to Blue Bird, one of the world's largest manufacturers of school and transit buses, and is the epicenter of the state's famous Peach industry. With good public schools, quality healthcare, a respected state university, the national headquarters of the American Camellia Society, a thriving pecan industry and progressive leadership, Peach County is poised to become one of the state's premiere counties.

At the core of these efforts is the county's leading business organization, the Peach Regional Chamber of Commerce. Led by a board of directors composed of the area's business elite, the organization has nearly 300 members.

Fort Valley is a quiet and peaceful, yet energetic and progressive city located near the geographical center of Georgia in growing Peach County. The city has a current estimated population is 9,721 as of 2012 by the Census Bureau. The city, established in 1856, is the county seat of Peach County.

Known as the Peach Capitol of the World for many years, Fort Valley still produces more than 50 percent of the state's peach crop. It is also the birthplace of and corporate home to the Blue Bird Corp., one of the nation's largest manufacturers of school and transit buses. The city is also home to Fort Valley State University and the American Camellia Society. Lane Southern Orchards operates a sprawling peach packing, retail facility and restaurant at the edge of town which has become a very popular tourist attraction.

With quiet tree-lined streets and dozens of beautiful historical homes, Fort Valley is a city in transition. Served by a dedicated mayor and city council, progressive and professional fire and police departments and an innovative city-owned utility service, the city is preparing itself for tremendous growth over the next few years.

Many of the city's downtown business properties have been remodeled and restored over the past several years and the city's movie theatre, abandoned and vacant for more than 30 years, is being renovated and restored into a showplace arts center for the community. The restortion project is nearly complete and the facility is already becoming a popular venue for special events. For more information visit the Fort Valley Mainstreet Website.

Fort Valley is also fortunate that three of its historical railroad buildings have been spared the wrecking ball. The old passenger station has been partially renovated and recently sold and the freight terminal and switching station remain basically unchanged from the day they were constructed by the old Central of Georgia Railroad around the turn of the last century.

For more information about Fort Valley, visit the city's official website at www.fortvalleyusa.com

The City of Byron was incorporated in 1874 and covers 5.8 square miles. The population in July 2012 was estimated at 4,800. With two exits within the city limits off Interstate 75, Byron is poised for even greater growth in the next few years.

Located on Hwy. 49 and I-75 at exit 149 in Peach County, Byron offers small town charm, beautiful new subdivisions, a thriving industrial park, great schools and much more while still being just minutes from Macon, Warner Robins and Robins Air Force Base. It's a great place to come when you want to leave the hustle and bustle of the workplace.

A Better Hometown Community, Byron is home to Mid State RV, the largest Coachman dealership in the world, and New Castle RV. A large auto dealership Jeff Smith Chevrolet-Ford is located in Byron as well. 

In Byron, you can browse through Big Peach Antiques with more than 200 dealers in one space; shop and save at more than two dozen stores at the Peach Shops at Byron; visit The Generation Gap, a Classic Car Emporium; or stop by the Byron Tailgate Market for fresh fruits and vegetables and arts & crafts.

In Historic Downtown Byron, Main Street, you'll find antebellum homes, a renovated 1870 Depot Museum and Caboose, the recently-renovated jail and Jailhouse Park. Cross the railroad tracks and visit the Byron Welcome Center/Better Hometown Office located in a 1920 drugstore. Enjoy lunch at one of our unique restaurants or browse the specialty shops.

Byron is also home of the Battle of Byron, an annual community fund-raising event staged in the historic district of the city since 1979. The brainchild of then city-clerk Frances McDaniel, the event has become one of Peach County's most successful gatherings.

The Byron welcome Center and Byron Main Street:

Directions:

• Southbound I-75: Exit 149 for GA-49 toward Byron/Fort Valley. Turn left on GA-49N. Turn left into the Peach Shops, the Byron Welcome Center & Byron Main Street is located at Suite 230.
• Northbound I-75: Exit 149 for GA-49 toward Byron/Fort Valley. Turn right on GA-49N. Turn left into the Peach Shops, the Byron Welcome Center & Byron Main Street is located at Suite 230. 

For more information about Byron, visit the city's official website at www.byronga.com