About Westover District - Albany, GA

Depending on the traffic, Albany is about three hours south of Atlanta when driving on Interstate 85/185. The 2020 U.S. Census counted 68,089 living there. Westover is a popular district on the western side of Albany. The Creek Indians were the native people in this area. In 1830, the American Congress passed the Indian Removal Act. The U.S. Army removed the native people by force and relocated them to the Indian Territory, west of the Mississippi River.

When the Europeans settled in the area in 1836 after the Indian removal, they discovered it was rich and fertile land that they nicknamed the "Black Belt" because it was excellent for growing cotton using slave labor. Its location on the Flint River allowed steamboats to transport cotton to other areas easily.

The area experienced the devastation of the Civil War and was rebuilt during the Restoration. It was a military training base during WWII and became a significant hub for activists during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.

In contemporary times, Albany has become a lovely small city, and the district of Westover is home to the Albany State University West Campus.

What To Do in Westover District - Albany, GA

You would expect to find many amenities in a larger city, with fun shopping and great food. Here are a few suggestions for other things to do:

Museum

The Albany Museum of Art is near the Albany State University West Campus. It opened in 1964 and has six galleries. Its permanent collection has European and American paintings. An interactive gallery for children is also fun for a family visit.

Outdoor Recreation

Lake Loretta is a charming 25-acre lake that is fun to walk around or enjoy a picnic. The Lake Park Recreation Club is a membership association that owns the fishing rights and maintains the lake.

Destinations

Radium Springs Garden is a good candidate for an enjoyable day trip. It is about 10 miles south of Albany. Another family-friendly choice is the Chehaw Park & Zoo, a ten-minute drive east of Westover.

Working in Albany, GA

Albany's economy benefits from manufacturing, healthcare, education, and public administration. Notable local companies include Proctor & Gamble Manufacturing Co., which makes cleaning products, and IDEXX, a veterinarian diagnostic laboratory.

The city's unemployment rate is terrible at 6%, higher than the national average of around 4%. The median household income is $39,422 per year, about $30,000 lower than the average American household income of $69,021.

The economy is growing at the same rate as the rest of the country. Albany's predicted job growth rate for the next ten years is 35.7%, compared to the national rate of 33.5%.

The industries offering the most jobs:

• Education (10.9%)
• Healthcare (9.7%)
• Government administration (8.2%)
• Hospitality (7.3%)
• Construction (6.1%)
• Professional, scientific, and technical services (3.5%)
• Social assistance (3.3%)

Albany, GA Neighborhoods

Housing is easy to find in the Westover district and adjacent areas, whether you are looking to buy a home or rent an apartment.

Doublegate

This area is west of Westover and has the nicest properties if you want a more rural setting.

• Median real estate price: $314,316, higher than 46.7% of all other places in Georgia.
• Average rent: $1,914.
• Vacancy rate: 6.2%, making finding an available property in this neighborhood a snap.

Westover / Merry Acres

This area has many small lakes.

• Median real estate price: $261,726.
• Average rental price: $2,017.
• Vacancy rate: 6.5%.

Westwood

• Median sales price for a home: $258,903.
• Average rent: $1,836.
• Vacancy rate: 4%, making it a bit harder to find a place.

Palmira Heights

This area is for budget-conscious people looking for a starter home.

• Median sales price for a home: $170,025, less expensive than 83.5% of other parts of Georgia.
• Average rent: $1,808.
• Vacancy rate: 22.7%.

Albany, GA School District

The public school district for this area is the Dougherty County School System, and the Westover area has Lake Park Elementary School and Westover High School.

• The school district spends $16,606 each year on each student.
• The student-to-teacher ratio is excellent at 14 to one.

Private Schools

There are nine private schools in Albany. The top-ranked ones are:

• Deerfield-Windsor School (PK to 12th)
• St. Teresa's School (PK to 12th)
• Sherwood Christian Academy (PK to 12th)

Higher Education

In Albany, there is the Albany Technical College (public, two-year), Darton College (public, two-year), and Albany State University (public four-year). Five more schools are within fifty miles.

Moving to Westover District - Albany, GA Resource Guide

Albany's municipal government consists of an elected mayor and six members serving on the City Commission.

The Recreation and Parks Department manages all the public parks, recreation centers, gyms, the Fitness & Wellness Center, and the Flint River Municipal Golf course. The city offers programs and activities for all ages. To learn more, register online.

Westover District - Albany, GA Housing

• The median sales price in the Westover District—Albany is $261,726, and the median price in all of Albany is $148,300.
• The price trend for this area is down by -20.9% year over year.
• The housing market is a buyer's market, with