Fort Valley is a quiet and peaceful, yet energetic and progressive city located near the geographical center of Georgia in growing Peach County. The city had a total population of 8,005 according to the 2010 Census and the current estimated population is 9,834. The city, established in 1856, is the county seat of Peach County.
Fort Valley is known as the Peach Capitol of the World and is the state's largest peach producing area. It is also the birthplace of and corporate home to the Blue Bird Corp., one of the nation's largest manufacturers of school buses. The city is also home to Fort Valley State University and the American Camellia Society. Lane Southern Orchards operates a sprawling peach packing and retail facility at the edge of town which has become a popular tourist attraction.
With quiet tree-lined streets and dozens of beautiful historical homes, Fort Valley is a city in transition. Served by a dedicated mayor and city council, progressive and professional fire and police departments and an innovative city-owned utility service, the city is preparing itself for tremendous growth over the next few years.
Many of the city's downtown business properties have been remodeled and restored over the past several years and the city's movie theatre, abandoned and vacant for more than 30 years, has been renovated and restored into a showplace arts center for the community now known as the Austin Theatre, one of its early names. For more information visit the Fort Valley Main Street Website.
Fort Valley is also fortunate that three of its historical railroad buildings have been spared the wrecking ball. The old passenger station has been renovated and the old freight terminal and switching station remain basically unchanged from the day they were constructed by the old central of Georgia Railroad around the turn of the last century.