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St. Marys, GA

Frequently asked questions

St. Marys, GA

St. Marys is a city in Camden County, Georgia, United States, located on the southern border of Camden County on the St. Marys River in the state's Low Country. The Florida border is just to the south across the river, Cumberland Island National Seashore is to the northeast, and Kingsland, Georgia, is to the west. Jacksonville, Florida, is 38 miles south, and Savannah, Georgia, is 110 miles north.

The city is home to the National Seashore's visitor center and boat access; the St. Marys Submarine Museum, and Crooked River State Park. It is bordered by Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, the home port for several Ohio-class submarines. The city hosts the annual St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival.

The area was first explored in the mid-16th century by Spanish expeditions as part of the settlement of Spanish Florida. Through the decades, it also came under the colonial influence of Great Britain and finally the United States. By the 2020 census, the city had a population of 18,256.

The St. Marys River area was first explored by Spanish expeditions in the mid-16th century as part of the settlement of Spanish Florida, with nearby St. Augustine as the established capital. The original Spanish settlement was founded in 1566, making this the second-oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in what became the contiguous United States. Settlement for colonial Georgians became legal after the Treaty of Paris in 1763, when Britain exchanged some territory with Spain after defeating France in the Seven Years' War.

Following independence in the American Revolutionary War, local inhabitants of Camden County gathered on Cumberland Island and signed a charter for "a town on the St. Marys" on November 20, 1787. There were twenty charter members, who each received four town lots and one marsh lot (outside the boundary of the town on the east side in the marshes); each lot was 4 acres (1.6 ha) square, with the total town area being 2,041 acres (826 ha). These twenty city founders are named on an historical marker in downtown St. Marys: Isaac Wheeler, William Norris, Nathaniel Ashley, William Ashley, Lodowick Ashley, James Seagrove, James Finley, John Fleming, Robert Seagrove, Henry Osborne, Thomas Norris, Jacob Weed, John Alexander, Langley Bryant, Jonathan Bartlett, Stephen Conyers, William Ready, Prentis Gallup, Simeon Dillingham and Richard Cole.

The original boundaries of the town correspond to the modern waterfront, Bartlett Street, North Street, and a block east of Norris Street. There were two public town squares. However, in the original deed, the town was unnamed, and for several years afterward in public documents it was referred to as either St. Marys or St. Patrick's, and colloquially as simply "the New Town". Accounts differ regarding the origin of the name—some say it is named after the St. Marys River, while others say it comes from a seventeenth-century Spanish mission, Santa Maria, on nearby Amelia Island, Florida. St. Mary was recognized by an act of the Georgia legislature on December 5, 1792, with the result of incorporation in November 1802.

St. Marys is located along the southern border of Camden County on the north bank of the St. Marys River. The state of Florida is to the south, across the river. The city of Kingsland borders St. Marys to the west. According to the United States Census Bureau, St. Marys has a total area of 24.9 square miles (64.5 km²), of which 22.5 square miles (58.3 km²) is land and 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), or 9.57%, is water.

Health and wellness are integral to the St. Marys lifestyle, with the city prioritizing the well-being of its residents. The St. Mary's Health Care System and Southeast Georgia Health System ensure residents have access to quality healthcare services. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Crooked River State Park is perfect for hiking, bird watching, and picnicking along the scenic trails. Yoga aficionados can find peace and balance at the Namaste All Day Yoga, which offers classes for all levels. Those interested in martial arts can check out Grimsley's Fighting Arts, which offers classes for kids and adults. Fitness seekers might enjoy the Anytime Fitness and St. Mary's Wellness Center, providing a comprehensive range of equipment for exercises.

Top sites in St. Marys, GA include St Marys Submarine Museum Inc, St. Marys Waterfront Park - Howard Gilman Memorial Park, Saint Marys Aquatic Club, and Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum.

Population: 18,980 (2022). Elevation: 23 ft (7 m). Area: 25.00 sq mi (64.74 km²). ZIP Code: 31558. Area code: 912.

FAQs

What is Saint Mary's Georgia known for?

The city is home to the National Seashore's visitor center and boat access; the St. Marys Submarine Museum, and Crooked River State Park. It is bordered by Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, the home port for several Ohio-class submarines. The city hosts the annual St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival.

Is Saint Marys Georgia a nice place to live?

St. Marys is in Camden County and is one of the best places to live in Georgia. Living in St. Marys offers residents a sparse suburban feel; most residents own their homes. Many families and young professionals live in St. Marys and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in St. Marys are highly rated.

What is the crime rate in St. Marys, GA?

St. Marys is safer than the majority of cities, towns, and villages in America (69%) and also has a lower crime rate than 72% of the communities in Georgia, according to NeighborhoodScout's analysis of FBI crime data. How risky is that? Your chance of becoming a victim in St. Marys is one in 173 based on the total crime rate (violent and property crimes, combined). In America overall, your chance of becoming a victim of crime is 1 in 43.

Sources

City of St. Marys

Wikipedia

Neighborhood Scout

Niche

St Marys Submarine Museum Inc 

St. Marys Waterfront Park - Howard Gilman Memorial Park 

Saint Marys Aquatic Club 

Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum

St. Mary's Health Care System

Southeast Georgia Health System 

Crooked River State Park

Namaste All Day Yoga

Grimsley's Fighting Arts

Anytime Fitness

St. Mary's Wellness Center

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.