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For the plant genus, see Mesua.

Vidalia (pron. VI - dahyl - yah) is a city located primarily in Toombs County, Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 10,491. It is the largest city in Toombs County. Vidalia's name is said to be a contraction of "via dalia," or "the dahlia path."

Geography

Vidalia is located at 32°12′55″N 82°24′36″W / 32.21528°N 82.41000°W / 32.21528; -82.41000Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (32.215305, -82.410086)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 45.2 km² (17.4 mi²). 44.9 km² (17.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.63%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 10,491 people, 4,167 households, and 2,758 families residing in the city; of these, 160 people lived in Montgomery County, and the rest in Toombs County. The population density was 233.7/km² (605.4/mi²). There were 4,676 housing units at an average density of 104.2/km² (269.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 59.61% White, 36.88% African American, 0.89% Asian, 0.14% Native American, 1.82% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.24% of the population.

There were 4,167 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 18.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,365, and the median income for a family was $40,091. Males had a median income of $30,180 versus $18,496 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,369. About 15.4% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.

"By the 1940s, the farmers' market in Vidalia, Georgia, was doing a brisk business selling the onions to tourists. Although production was not limited to the immediate Vidalia area, the onions became known as Vidalia onions. By the mid 1970s, about 600 acres were devoted to producing the Vidalia onions and a national marketing effort was begun. Production increased by almost tenfold during the next ten years."

Vidalia Onion producers of Georgia have protected their niche market from domestic and international competition, as well as gaining national and international recognition, through marketing, legislative protection, and research. They have also protected the name, quality, and image of the product through state ownership of the trademark. "The Vidalia onion is one of 17 approved varieties of hybrid yellow Granex onions produced in a specified geographical area in Georgia." Though Vidalia onions are not greatly exported out of the country, they do have international recognition as a branded agricultural product. This exclusive hold on the market allows grocers to sell the product for between 30-34 cents more per pound than other onions. About 70% of the onions are sold in grocery stores, and the rest are sold either in roadside stands or by mail order (where they can fetch up to $2.49/lb).

Economy

Vidalia has a mixed economy, but its largest industry is agriculture. Since 1931, Granex onions grown in and near Vidalia have been licensed and sold internationally as Vidalia onions. In 1986, the Vidalia Onion Trademark Act granted a state trademark and protection on the onions of the Vidalia and Toombs County, Georgia area. The 1989 Federal Marketing Order #955 of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service gave the growers and handlers the legal rights to establish the Vidalia Onion Committee, and it granted U.S. federal protection of the onion's name and production.

Onions

Most people know Vidalia because of its Onions. The Vidalia Onion was first produced about 1931 when a farmer's crop contained some particularly sweet onions. Other farmers started producing the same onion, and in the 1940's the Vidalia onion became an item sold to tourists.

The Vidalia Onion growers have protected their brand, and today all onions labelled Vidalia must be grown in one of thirteen different counties in Georgia or in a portion of seven other counties. Because of their taste and reputation they are able to command an increased price in the marketplace.

In 1990, the Vidalia Onion was named as the "official vegetable" of the state of Georgia. Year 2000 production was estimated at 40,000,000 fifty-pound (22.68 kg) bags.

(See: Vidalia Onion and Protection as a Geographic Indication)

References

External links

• Official website
• An economic analysis of the Vidalia Onion and export.
• City of Vidalia entry from the State of Georgia government portal
• Official Vidalia Department of Tourism
• The Vidalia Onion: Information & Links
• Things to do in Vidalia, GA: Educational local wildlife tours

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• Cities in Georgia (U.S. state)
• Micropolitan areas of Georgia (U.S. state)
• Montgomery County, Georgia
• Toombs County, Georgia