In the middle of Georgia is Macon, home to about 156,000 people. With the Ocmulgee River dividing the city in two, Maconites have access to a blossoming city with an increasing number of employers, housing options and downtown events. “It’s a small town growing into a big town,” says Matthew Griffin, who grew up in Macon. He has been a Realtor since 2019 and works with Keller Williams Realty Intown Atlanta. “The last five years have been pretty popular.” With a slogan that Macon is “Where Soul Lives.” NewTown Macon is one of the groups that is helping to change Macon, focusing primarily on downtown. The city has also been the set for multiple movies, including upcoming ones like “Superman” set to be released in 2025. Macon’s biggest employers include GEICO, Navicent Health Medical Center and Mercer University. YKK, Inc., the world’s leading producer of zippers and other fastening products, has a manufacturing center on the outskirts of the city. Macon has mild weather throughout the year, with “an occasional snowfall every couple of years,” says Griffin. “There was the Flood of ’94 where all of downtown was covered in 3 feet of water.”
Macon's visitor center proudly showcases the city's slogan: "Where the Soul Lives."
The Ocmulgee River's serene waters and historical depth are a part of Macon's identity.
Navicent Atrium Health Medical Center, located in Macon, is the 2nd largest hospital in GA.
Macon is home to significant businesses like GEICO.
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Lower cost than Atlanta with new developments and lofts planned in downtown
Homebuyers are leaving nearby Atlanta in favor of smaller towns like Macon because of “affordability,” says Griffin. “Atlanta is about $300,000 more in pricing.” Meanwhile, the average home prices in Macon sit around $200,000. There are plenty of historical homes in Macon with smaller lot sizes, some of which are eligible for loans specifically meant of historical homes. In 2021, the mayor of Macon implemented Blight Fight, where residents can report suspicions of blighted buildings. The city will go in and investigate before giving property owners a chance to fix the building. Since the implementation of Blight Fight, over 700 buildings have been demolished. “Over the past five years [the amount of] new housing has increased,” says Griffin. “Eight new apartment complexes have been built.” Additionally, downtown Macon has built several new lofts. For the 2024 to 2027 strategic plan, NewTown Macon is aiming to build an additional 600 new lofts. “They’ve turned every vacant brick building downtown into these beautiful lofts,” Griffin says.
Pleasant Hill Historic District, Macon, features charming Craftsman bungalows from the 1920s.
Pleasant Hill Historic District is a historically Black community with roots in music.
Tudor Revival style homes in Macon’s North Highlands boast intricate brickwork and gables.
Cottage-style homes in Macon’s North Highlands offer quaint charm and distinctive features.
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Magnet high schools in Bibb County School District and multiple universities
Macon is covered by the Bibb County School District, which operates 21 elementary schools, six middle schools and six high schools. The district serves over 21,000 students within the city and is graded a C overall by Niche. Bibb County School District offers magnet schools and programs that students can apply to, regardless of where they may live in the city. There are five private Christian schools within Macon as well as two state-run public charter schools. Mercer University was founded in 1833 and is the oldest university in Georgia. There are three other post-secondary institutions within the city. Wesleyan College is a private women’s college that was home to the first sororities. Macon is also home to the Georgia Academy for the Blind, run by the state of Georgia.
Williams Elementary School has an overall C grade on Niche.
Central High School serves in the Bibb County School District.
Miller Fine Arts Magnet School is located in Macon, Ga.
Tindall Heights is only a few minutes from Mercer University.
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Carolyn Crayton Park and Amerson River Park
Macon has 26 parks, trails and green space throughout the city. Caroline Crayton Park was renamed from Central Park in 2020 and was built as the city’s first public park. For its name change, the city looked to the founder of the Georgia International Cherry Blossom Festival, which first started in 1982. Amerson River Park covers 180 acres. The park has a handicap-usable playground for children of all ages. It also offers access to the Ocmulgee River. “The Amerson water park and Carolyn Crayton Park are the two biggest outdoor options,” Griffin says. Outside the city is Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, officially designated as a national historical park in 2019. The park is currently trying to become Georgia’s first national park. There are also several lakes, including Lake Tobesofkee with three public parks along its 35-mile shoreline.
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park in Macon includes significant archaeological sites.
Caroline Crayton Park was built in 2020 as Macon's first city park.
Amerson River Park is one of Macon's most beautiful parks with walking paths and scenic views.
Amerson River Park boasts a stone crafts welcome arch.
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Downtown Macon wins the Main Street America award
Macon’s shopping centers tend to be on the outside of the city, with more local boutiques and businesses lining downtown. “The mayor is pushing revitalization and offering incentives,” says Griffin. “Downtown has really changed.” According to NewTown Macon, about 82% of storefronts in downtown are now occupied. “This past year, it was one of the nationally ranked main street award winners,” says Griffin. Main Street America awarded NewTown Macon the 2024 award alongside two other cities around the country. Additionally, five farmers markets and flea markets run year-round. Macon has both indoor and outdoor shopping malls as well as other strip malls for national and regional stores.
Macon Mall features a popular line-up of retail stores.
Macon features over 5 farmer's and flea markets that run year-round.
Macon residents can explore fresh produce and locally made products every Wednesday.
The Shoppes at River Crossing is a premier shopping & entertainment in Macon.
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Cherry Blossoms and downtown events
As Carolyn Crayton Park turns pink with cherry blossoms, the International Cherry Blossom Festival occurs. First started in 1982 by Carolyn Crayton, the festival has grown from a three-day festival to a month-long celebration that includes free concerts, carnival rides and the Cherry Blossom Trail. The Cherry Blossom Trail showcases the trees throughout the city, as well as some of the historic districts and buildings within Macon. There are more than 350,000 Yoshino Cherry trees throughout Macon. Downtown hosts several different events, including a Macon Burger Week, the newest event from the city. “Essentially all the restaurants downtown create a[n original] burger,” says Griffin. “One year they had a fried green pimento burger.” Macon doesn’t have national sports but does have a hockey team, the Macon Mayhems, part of the minor league SPHL. The Macon Bacon is a baseball team that primarily helps college students who are aiming to get signed to a professional team. Downtown is also home to several museums.
Recent revitalization projects have transformed downtown Macon into a hub for entertainment.
Carolyn Crayton Park in Macon hosts the annual International Cherry Blossom Festival.
Macon Bacon is a collegiate summer baseball team based in Macon, Georgia.
The Macon Mayhem plays at the city's largest indoor venue, the Macon Colliseum.
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Interstates leading to Atlanta and smaller airports within Macon
Two interstates pass through the city itself, I-16 and I-75. I-475 is an auxiliary interstate that bypasses Macon itself before rejoining I-75. I-16 starts in Macon before ending east in Savannah. Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority operates buses through Macon. While primarily a commercial airport, Middle Georgia Regional Airport does offer 12 passenger flights a week to the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Macon Downtown Airport is for private planes only, while also acting as a training location for Middle Georgia State University students interested in aviation.
Crime in Macon
The FBI Crime Data Explorer reports that in October of 2023 there were 215 violent crimes per 100,000 people, higher than both the state and national average. Property values sit at 289 property crimes per 100,000 people, again higher than both state and national average. According to Macon’s news station 13WMAZ, they compared the crime from April 2024 to April of 2023 and found that crime had decreased over the last year.
Written By
Samantha Hacker
Photography Contributed By
David Robinson
Video By
Francisco de la Vera
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On average, homes in Macon-Bibb, GA sell after 51 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Macon-Bibb, GA over the last 12 months is $215,000, up 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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