Harlem, Georgia
Harlem is a city in Columbia and McDuffie counties, in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Augusta metropolitan area. The population was 2,666 at the 2010 [United States Census|2010 census], up from 1,814 in 2000. This city was named after the neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan. Harlem is the birthplace of comedian Oliver Hardy; the annual Harlem Oliver Hardy Festival is held on the first Saturday each October on Main Street in his honor.
History
From the building of the Georgia Railroad which passes through town until at least the 1860s, Harlem was known as Saw Dust. The town is twinned with Ulverston in England, the birthplace of Stan Laurel, comedy partner of Oliver Hardy.Geography
Harlem is located primarily in southern Columbia County at , with its western boundary following the McDuffie County line. U.S. Routes U.S. [Route 78 in Georgia|78] and U.S. [Route 278 in Georgia|278] pass through the center of town, leading east to downtown Augusta and west to Thomson. U.S. [Route 221 in Georgia|U.S. Route 221] crosses US 78/278 in the center of town, leading north to Interstate 20 and to the South Carolina border, and south to Wrens.According to the United States Census Bureau, Harlem has a total area of, of which, or 0.36%, is water.
Neighborhoods
- Sawdust is a neighborhood in the city ; along the Columbia-McDuffie county line. U.S. Routes 78 in Georgia|78] and 278 in Georgia|278], west of the center of Harlem and east of Dearing. It was so named on account of there being several sawmills near the original town site. The name sometimes is spelled out as "Saw Dust". A post office called Saw Dust was established in 1852, and remained in operation until 1895.
Demographics
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White | 2,408 | 67.43% |
| Black or African American | 754 | 21.11% |
| Native American | 12 | 0.34% |
| Asian | 24 | 0.67% |
| Pacific Islander | 11 | 0.31% |
| Other/Mixed | 198 | 5.54% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 164 | 4.59% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,571 people, 1,021 households, and 645 families residing in the city.
Culture and Institutions
Laurel and Hardy Museum
The Harlem Museum and Welcome Center, also known as the Laurel and Hardy Museum, preserves memorabilia, screens Laurel and Hardy films, and receives thousands of visitors annually.Columbia Theatre
Originally opened in 1949 as Harlem's first movie theatre, the Columbia Theatre is undergoing redevelopment as part of downtown cultural revitalization.Harlem High School
Established in 1871, Harlem High School serves over 1,200 students.Local Business Support
The Harlem Merchants Association fosters local economic growth through events, workshops, and community initiatives aimed at supporting small businesses in the city. The Harlem Merchants Association supports local entrepreneurs through networking, events, and community initiatives.Notable persons
- Oliver Hardy – famed comedian, one-half of Laurel and Hardy; annual Laurel and Hardy Festival held in Harlem.
Culture & Events
Oliver Hardy Festival
The Oliver Hardy Festival is a free community celebration held annually on the first Saturday in October in downtown Harlem to honor local native and comedy legend Oliver Hardy.Established in 1988, the festival draws 20,000–35,000 attendees, according to estimates from the Harlem Museum and Welcome Center and local businesses—many times larger than the town's population—providing a significant boost to small-town tourism and generating an important yearly economic impact.