A small city in west Georgia
Like most cities in western Georgia, Temple’s history is centered around the railroad and became incorporated in 1883 when the railroad reached the area. The city is named after a railroad official. The town is located along Interstate 20 but has seen population growth over the last 10 to 20 years, including a 20% increase from 2010 to 2020. The city is part of the Atlanta Metro area and is 38 miles from downtown Atlanta and less than 50 miles to Alabama. “Temple is growing, but we still maintain that small-town feel, says Mayor Michael Johnson, who has held that role since 2018. “We can’t say we know everybody that lives here now, but we still have pride in being from Temple and a heightened sense of community.”
Shopping and dining between Route 78 and Interstate 20
Most of the retail in Temple is sandwiched between U.S. Route 78 and Interstate 20 and targeted for hungry and weary travelers. Residents can shop for groceries at Ingles but can find hardware supplies at the Temple Ace Hardware. Most restaurants in town are fast food and off I-20, including the new Zaxby’s. While there are a few sit-down places, Jones Bar-B-Q is located along US-78, is open Tuesday through Saturday and has an extensive menu. If residents still need supplies, Villa Rica is just a short five-minute jaunt away, and the town offers a few more big box stores like Walmart and Home Depot.
A variety of architectural styles scattered across Temple
One of the nice things about living in Temple is that homes are spread out across the city. Older subdivisions feature tight streets with ranch homes and bungalows. Newer developments feature traditional colonials and Craftsman bungalows with homes spaced tightly together. Buyers can expect a three-bedroom ranch home for around $235,000, while a four-bedroom colonial jumps to $380,000. “Houses are moving pretty quickly in Temple as long as they are priced right and in good condition,” said Tina Lovvorn, a Realtor with Georgia Life Realty born and raised in West Georgia.
City-sponsored recreation for all ages
“We have recreation for people of all ages. Not only do we have traditional youth sports, but we also have many activities for our senior residents,” Mayor Johnson says. The Temple Recreation Department oversees multiple sports fields, tennis courts and a gymnasium and operates leagues and classes from dance to football. In the summer, the department runs specialized summer camps for children. The Temple Senior Center is open daily and allows older residents to play games, socialize with neighbors, and have lunch made there or delivered. The Silver Sneakers program at the center helps those interested stay active with exercise classes and group walks.
Going to school in Carroll County
Temple children will funnel into Carroll County Public Schools, which scores an A- on Niche. Depending on location, students head to Providence, earning a B-plus from Niche or the A-rated Temple Elementary Schools before moving on to Temple Middle School, which grades a B-plus. Eventually, children wrap up their education at Temple High School, which earns a B-plus. It is a National STEM Certified School boasting a 90% or better graduation rate for eight consecutive years.
Celebrating Temple’s history and the holidays
Temple’s city government organizes two major events annually, with Founder’s Day being its largest. It is celebrated on the fourth Saturday in September annually. The festivities start with a parade in downtown Temple and a festival at the recreation center, which is capped off with fireworks. The town has a Christmas parade on the weekend after Thanksgiving, which includes a parade and tree lighting downtown.
Access to two major roadways
Commuters can access two major roadways in the southern portion of Georgia. Residents can take United States Highway 78, which runs east to west across Georgia, with access to Atlanta and Augusta and Interstate 20 between South Carolina and Texas.
