Millen is a small railroad town in Jenkins County
Millen, the seat of Jenkins County, is a tight-knit community shaped by its industrial roots as a regional logistics hub. The area has a railyard operated by Norfolk Southern. The Olde Freight Depot Museum—also known as the Millen-Jenkins County Museum—shares space with the Chamber of Commerce. "You get a hometown feeling in Millen. It's small and rural. I've lived here all my life. You'll feel welcomed, we've got southern hospitality here," says Jessica Wilson, the broker and owner of Southland Realty & Properties, LLC. Locals stay connected through public events and casual chance encounters while in town. "We've been having new faces come in, mainly since COVID-19. I'm in real estate, so I'll run into them at the store or restaurant. And for the most part, people feel like they've just lived here their whole lives," Wilson says.
Resale homes dominate the market with few newer builds
Millen's streetscape includes established brick homes with build dates spanning over a century. "You'll see houses mostly built in the 1950s and 1960s. A lot of them have been redone," Wilson says. "Not much is available outside the city limits in Jenkins County. We will mainly get ranch-style homes on two or three acres outside town." Some homes, dating to the 19th century, showcase the town's rich history. "I purchased Millen's second-oldest house and renovated it for my real estate office. It's from 1872," Wilson says. Craftsman-style bungalows and two-story homes with wide front porches are common among the older residences. Wilson says the housing market has mostly resales and limited recent construction. Move-in ready houses typically cost between $120,000 and $350,000. Millen also contains spacious plots of land available to build new homes alongside outbuildings like workshops and sheds.
Magnolia Springs offers hiking, fishing and Civil War history
Magnolia Springs State Park spreads across more than 1,000 acres. The outdoor haven includes an aquamarine spring and the larger Magnolia Lake. Locals often visit the state park for hiking, boating, fishing or the splash pad. The on-site Camp Lawton, recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, served as a prison during the Civil War. Archaeologists from Georgia Southern University have discovered numerous artifacts at the site. The free-flowing Ogeechee River, to the south, is the state's longest river. Residents can access the water from a public ramp off Highway 25.
B&T's Food Fresh Market and restaurants serve the community
Downtown Millen's is on the National Register of Historic Places. Over 35 QR codes are placed throughout commercial buildings and homes, allowing passersby to learn about each structure's history. Agriculture and regional transit are Millen's primary economic drivers. There are also warehouses, manufacturing companies and commercial businesses throughout the area. "We have one grocery store, [B&T's Food Fresh Market], so you're always going to meet folks and talk to them," Wilson says. The restaurant scene offers local establishments like La Veracruzana and Cracker Jack Cafe. Round's on Winthrope serves seafood, while The Cafe On Cotton has southern-inspired menu offerings.
Locals access medical care and highways
Jenkins County Medical Center provides emergency and general care services. Augusta is roughly 50 miles from town, while Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is about 70 miles away. Jenkins County Transit only offers trips in and around the region by appointment during weekdays. Most residents commute by car, taking U.S. 25 and State Routes 21 and 17 to access nearby communities.
Fair on the Square in October
Residents head downtown every year for a long-standing community event. "Millen has the Fair on the Square, and everybody gathers around the courthouse lawn. We usually have it on the first Saturday in October," Wilson says. "We've had this for 50 years now. Vendors come from all over. The festival lasts all day, and in the afternoon, a band plays on Cotton Avenue, like a street dance. It's really nice."
Students learn in Jenkins County schools
Jenkins County Elementary has a B-minus grade from Niche. Jenkins County Middle and Jenkins County High also have B-minus grades. The local middle and high schools share a campus. The elementary stands on the opposite side of Statesboro Road.
Snow conditions and severe storms in the region
Millen can experience snowfall in the winter, which may cause black ice on the roadways. The county has a history of severe thunderstorms and hurricanes that can lead to high winds and flooding.
Written By
Ashley Kennedy
