St. Simons, Georgia

St. Simons Island, Georgia
Unincorporated community
Census-designated place
St. Simons Island Light
St. Simons Island Light
Map
Interactive map of St. Simons
Coordinates: 31°9′35″N 81°23′19″W / 31.15972°N 81.38861°W / 31.15972; -81.38861
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyGlynn
Area
[1]
 • Total17.51 sq mi (45.34 km2)
 • Land16.48 sq mi (42.69 km2)
 • Water1.02 sq mi (2.65 km2)
Elevation
10 ft (3 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total14,982
 • Density908.94/sq mi (350.95/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Zip Code
31522
Area code912
FIPS code13-68040[2]
GNIS feature ID0322308[3]

St. Simons Island (or simply St. Simons) is a barrier island and census-designated place (CDP) located on St. Simons Island in Glynn County, Georgia, United States. The names of the community and the island are interchangeable, known simply as "St. Simons Island" or "SSI",[4][5][6][7] or locally as "The Island". St. Simons is part of the Brunswick metropolitan statistical area, and according to the 2020 U.S. census, the CDP had a population of 14,982.[8] Located on the southeast Georgia coast, midway between Savannah and Jacksonville, St. Simons Island is both a seaside resort and residential community. It is the largest of Georgia's renowned Golden Isles (along with Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and privately owned Little St. Simons Island). Visitors are drawn to the Island for its warm climate, beaches, variety of outdoor activities, shops and restaurants, historical sites, and natural environment.

In addition to its base of permanent residents, the island enjoys an influx of visitors and part-time residents throughout the year. The 2010 census noted that 26.8% of total housing units were for "seasonal, recreational, or occasional use".[9] The vast majority of commercial and residential development is located on the southern half of the island. Much of the northern half remains marsh or woodland. A large tract of land in the northeast has been converted to a nature preserve containing trails, historical ruins, and an undisturbed maritime forest. The tract, Cannon's Point Preserve, is open to the public on specified days and hours.[10]

Originally inhabited by the Muscogee, the Spanish, British and French contested the area of South Georgia which included St. Simons Island.[11] After establishing the Province of Georgia in 1732, Anglo-American colonists established rice and cotton plantations worked by African slaves, who created the unique Gullah culture that survives to this day.[12] The primary mode of travel to the island is by automobile via F.J. Torras Causeway. Malcolm McKinnon Airport (IATA: SSI) serves general aviation on the island.

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ Grisamore, Ed (October 17, 2014). "Gris: LBC all about giving back". Macon Telegraph. Retrieved February 9, 2019. They were oval-shaped with the three simple letters, similar to the popular decals touting vacation destinations – SSI for St. Simons Island, TYB for Tybee Island and PCB for Panama City Beach.
  5. ^ Wolfe, Wes (February 7, 2019). "Local delegates join fight against offshore energy exploration". The Brunswick News. Archived from the original on February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2019. State Rep. Don Hogan, R-St. Simons Island, said he's lived on SSI for 52 years...
  6. ^ Chamberlain, Chris (November 10, 2017). "48 Hours in St. Simons Island". StyleBlueprint. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2019. No trip to SSI (as the locals refer to the island)...
  7. ^ Starr, Mary (March 29, 2017). "Garden walk is all about community". Coastal Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2019. ...there will be members of the SSI Family Gardening Club...
  8. ^ "2020 Race and Population Totals". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  9. ^ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  10. ^ "St. Simons Land Trust". St. Simons Land Trust. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  11. ^ "Fort Frederica National Monument - History & Culture". National Park Service. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  12. ^ Sullivan, Buddy (2003). Georgia: A State History. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. p. 71.