Jesup is a rural city of 10,065 residents in eastern Georgia along the Altamaha River. Once known as “the town that trains built,” it remains a rail hub at the busy crossroads of CSX and Norfolk Southern tracks. Outdoor activities like hunting and fishing surround its downtown district. The Wayne County area's abundance of forests has made agriculture-related manufacturing the top job sector. Rayonier Advanced Materials produces cellulose products, while Great Southern Wood Preserving manufactures treated lumber.
Visit the WMA at Penholoway near Jesup.
The train tracks run right through the heart of town.
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Significantly lower prices than in Savannah
Jesup’s median home price is $215,000, lower than Savannah’s $353,900 and Jacksonville’s $311,495. “You will marvel and appreciate the Southern hospitality that this small town presents,” says Realtor Jane Beare of Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners, who has sold homes in the area for 24 years. “Smaller cities generally are a very nice option for those searching for more moderately priced housing and expenses.”
Houses in Jesup sit on manicured lawns.
Jesup is home to many renovated historical homes.
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Jesup’s roads lead to major cities
Highway 84 travels 66 miles northwest into Savannah, home to the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, which has over 30 nonstop domestic flights. Jacksonville International Airport is 100 miles south. Fifty miles north, Interstate 16 connects Macon to Savannah. Amtrak’s Silver Meteor line, which travels from Miami to New York City, stops in Jesup. The closest major hospital is Wayne Memorial Hospital, located downtown.
Fishing on the Altamaha River and hunting at Penholoway Swamp
Jesup has four landings entering the Altamaha River, where anglers cast lines in waters filled with largemouth bass, crappie and white catfish. Cogden Lake is another popular fishing destination. Among the four nearby wildlife management areas is the 4,000-acre Penholoway Swamp, which hunters can explore in pursuit of deer and turkey. Lake Grace offers fishing and boating, parks and picnic areas. McMillian Creek Greenway’s boardwalk winds through wetlands and a lush forest in an area home to a former Depression-era drainage ditch.
Go fishing with your children along the river in Jesup.
Enjoy scenic sunsets at Lake Grace in Jesup.
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Jesup Drive-in is a blast from the past
Jesup Drive-in is one of less than 400 drive-in theaters in a country that was once home to over 4,000. Moviegoers roll down memory lane and park in a field surrounding a large screen. It has been open since 1948 and is undergoing renovations to add 1950s decor. Restaurants and businesses surround Cherry Street in historic downtown. “There are some delightful restaurants, diners, and excellent barbecue spots in Jesup amidst the preservation of their historic and friendly downtown,” Beare says. Fresh produce and artisanal goods are sold at the Wayne County Farmers Market.
Watch a movie at the Jesup Drive In.
Local businesses and stores line the sidewalks of downtown Jesup.
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Students attend Wayne County schools
The Wayne County School System gets a B rating on Niche. Coastal Pines Technical College has a campus in town.
The Coastal Pines Technical Collage is located in Jesup.
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Jesup stays on the warmer side throughout the year
Jesup has long, hot and humid summers and mild winters. Temperatures in February can reach 70 degrees.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Wayne County’s crime rate per 1,000 people decreased by nearly 2% from 2022 to 2023. That is higher than Chatham County’s rate near Savannah.
Dogwood Festival showcases local artisans
Artisans sell crafts from leather to jewelry at the annual Dogwood Festival in spring, and there's plenty of live music and food vendors.
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