Settlers

The 1821 Georgia Land Lottery opened portions of state land for settlement between the Flint and Ocmulgee rivers, including present-day DeKalb County. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation ceded the land to the United States in January of that year, and drawings for lots measuring 202.5 acres (81.9 ha) each began in May in Milledgeville, the state capital until 1868. The land grant fee was $19.00.^[10]

In 1821, the area that would become Tucker was in Militia District 572 in Henry County. The state created DeKalb County on December 9, 1822, and District 572 became DeKalb's 18th District, or the Brownings District, reportedly named for Andrew Browning.^[11][12]

Among the thirty cemeteries within a 4-mile (6 km) radius of Main Street, approximately 30 graves belong to individuals born in the 18th century, four of whom are Revolutionary War soldiers. Twelve graves belong to Confederate soldiers.^[13]

Civil War

In spite of DeKalb County delegates voting against secession from the United States, Georgia joined the Confederacy and seceded from the Union in 1861. The full reality of that decision marched into Tucker in July 1864. Union soldiers camped at Henderson's Mill, used the Brownings Court, one of the few buildings in the area they did not burn, dismantled the railroad to Stone Mountain, and formed the left wing of Sherman's advance to Atlanta.

Map of Tucker area during the U.S. Civil War

Railroad

19th century geological survey showing railroad in Tucker

In 1886 the Georgia, Carolina and Northern Railway received a charter to build a new rail line between Monroe, North Carolina, and Atlanta. Prior to the project's completion, the company leased the road to the Seaboard Air Line Railroad system, a collection of regional railroads headquartered in North Carolina eager to extend its reach to Atlanta.^[14]

Seaboard built depots at a number of small villages, often little more than a crossroads, and named them for railroad company officials. The depot at Jug Tavern, for example, was named for Seaboard's general manager, John H. Winder. The stop at Bryan was named in honor of the system's general superintendent, Lilburn Meyers. Although the origin of the name is unknown, it is possible that the next stop, in the Brownings District, may have been named for Rufus S. Tucker, a director and major shareholder in several Seaboard system railroads. At the DeKalb County Centennial Celebration in 1922, Charles Murphey Candler stated that Tucker a “prosperous and promising village on the Seaboard Air Line Railway . . . was named in honor of Capt. Tucker, an official of the Seaboard Air Railway.” Some residents attribute the name to a local family with the surname Tucker.^[15][16]

1895 Map of DeKalb County, Georgia, including Tucker.

The first train steamed into the new Tucker station on Sunday, April 24, 1892. Originating in Elberton with a final destination of the Atlanta suburb of Inman Park — a four-hour trip — the Seaboard train consisted of two cars carrying 150 passengers and a baggage car.^[17] Two months later the US Postal Service appointed Alpheus G. Chewning first Postmaster of the Tucker Post office. Rural Free Delivery began on March 2, 1903.^[18][19]

On Saturday, July 1, 1967, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad merged with the Atlantic Coast Line to form Seaboard Coast Line Railroad. In 1983 The line became Seaboard System and merged with the Chesapeake & Ohio, Baltimore & Ohio and the Western Maryland in 1986 Chessie System to form current railroad operator, CSXT.^[20] Although no longer a train stop for passengers, the Tucker depot is currently a CSX field office for track repair and signal maintenance.^[21]

Tucker, at 1,117 feet (340 m) feet above sea level, is the highest point of elevation on the railroad line between Atlanta and Richmond, Virginia.^[22]

Twentieth century

Following World War II, Tucker began a steady transition from an agricultural community to a mixed industrial, retail, and residential area. The strength of a county-wide water system extending into Tucker by the 1950s, and the post war establishment of nearby employers in other areas of the county including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1946 (originally known as the Communicable Disease Center),^[23] General Motors in Doraville, Kraft Foods and a large Veterans' Hospital in Decatur,^[24] and the growth of Emory University, brought new residents to Tucker from across the nation. Descendants of early settlers subdivided and sold family land for neighborhoods and shopping plazas. Local community leaders opened Tucker Federal Savings and Loan, created a youth football league, and by the 1960s newspapers identified Tucker as “DeKalb’s Area of Golden Opportunity.” The post–World War II baby boom drove the growth of DeKalb County schools and with the affordability of the car, the expansion of the highway system, and inexpensive fuel, Tucker became an ideal location to call home.^[25][26]

Topography

Tucker creeks and streams

Tucker is in the state's Piedmont geologic region, composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks resulting from 300 to 600 million year old sediments that were subjected to high temperatures and pressures and re-exposed roughly 250 to 300 million years ago. Rocks typical of the region include schist, amphibolite, gneiss, migmatite, and granite.^[28]

Over a dozen creeks originate in Tucker including Burnt Fork Creek, South Fork Peachtree Creek, Camp Creek, and Henderson Mill Creek. Prior to the widespread accessibility of electricity and indoor plumbing, several were used as mill ponds or dammed for baptism. From 1906 until its demise in the 1940s, Burnt Fort Creek was the primary tributary for the Decatur Waterworks.^[29]

Surrounding municipalities

Climate

Tucker's climate, typical of a humid subtropical climate, features mild winters and hot summers. In spite of moderate conditions compared to communities in many other states, Tucker has occasional extreme weather. The record high is 110 °F (43 °C), recorded on July 8, 1927, and the record low, January 21, 1985, −10 °F (−23 °C).^[30][31]

Rapid-transit

MARTA, the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, has nine daily bus routes traversing Tucker connected commuters to four heavy rail stations south and west of the city.^[32]

Interstate highways

• Interstate 285
• Interstate 85

U.S. highways

• U.S. Route 29
• U.S. Route 78

State routes

• State Route 8
• State Route 236
• State Route 407
• State Route 410

Pedestrians and cycling

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 37,005 people, 14,479 households, and 8,753 families residing in the city.

2010 census

According to the 2010 census, the Tucker Census-designated place (CDP) had a population of 27,581, and the racial and ethnic composition of the CDP was as follows:

• White : 63.0% (Non-Hispanic Whites: 57.8%)
• Black or African American : 22.3%
• Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 10.6%
• Asian: 7.4%
• American Indian or Alaska Native: 0.4%
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.1%
• Multiracial : 2.7%^[35]

As of 2012, the median income per household was $64,388, and the per capita income was $33,552. 11.4% of the population is below the poverty line, 5.6% lower than the state average.

Of the 11,894 housing units identified in 2012, the home ownership rate is 70.7% and the median value of owner occupied housing units, $233,700. Multi-unit structures (apartment complexes, condominiums) represent 22% of all housing.^[35]

Community organizations

The desire for community involvement continues to foster growth in various Tucker groups and associations. Some of the more significant include; the Tucker Business Association, Tucker-Northlake Community Improvement District, Tucker Civic Association, Tucker Historical Society, Main Street Theatre, Friends of Henderson Park, Friends of Johns Homestead, Friends of Kelley C. Cofer Park, Main Street Tucker Alliance, Friends of the Tucker Nature Preserve, Old Town Tucker Merchants Association, Tucker Parent Council, and Smoke Rise Community Association.

With the exception of sports organizations, involving residents in multiple counties, most of these groups are predominantly led by and serve residents within the Tucker area.

Tucker includes multiple Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, and Presbyterian churches; Catholic, Mormon, and over a dozen non-denomination Christian churches, some holding services in Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Several churches including Rehoboth Baptist, established in 1854, and First Baptist of Tucker, established in 1893, maintain large youth athletic programs.^[36][37] In the 1970s, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints built a regional welfare and emergency response center in Royal Atlanta Business Park.^[38]

Outdoor events

Outdoor events held on Main Street are a central part of the community for numerous residents and organizations. The Tucker Day celebration, first held in the 1950s, is an annual event typically including a parade, that runs the length of Main Street with food vendors, artist, musicians, and merchants. Other annual events on Main Street include the Taste of Tucker and Tucker Chili Cook-Off. The street is also closed for the Tucker Cruise-In held monthly between April and September. The Farmers Market on Main Street has recently moved from its position in Downtown Tucker, to a venue just outside Downtown at a church on LaVista Rd.

Independence Day Celebration on Main Street in Tucker, Georgia.

The Tucker Civic Association, Friends of Henderson Park, Friends of the Tucker Nature Preserve, Friends of Kelley C. Cofer Park, and neighborhood groups regularly organize park and roadside cleanup efforts. The Tucker Historical Society hosts the annual Brownings Courthouse Day and the annual Garden Tour.

The Tucker High School varsity football team, the Tucker Tigers, is a large seasonal draw for former and current Tucker alumni and residents. Like most high schools in DeKalb County, Tucker does not have a local football stadium, thus home games are technically away games.

Amateur sports

Cyclist completing the weekly 42 mile ‘’Tucker Ride.’’

Tucker Football League (TFL) and Triumph Youth Soccer Association (TYSA), formerly the Tucker Youth Soccer Association, are the two largest independent youth sports organizations in the community. TYSA is the largest in DeKalb County, and the fourth largest youth soccer association in Georgia.^[39] The TFL holds games and practices at the privately owned Fitzgerald Field. TYSA uses county fields at Henderson Park and the privately owned Granite – Patillo Field.^[40]

Adult sports include road bicycle racing. The weekly 42-mile (68 km) Tucker Ride and Baby Tucker. According to Southeastern Cycling, "This is where the big boys and racers show up to play."^[41] The Tucker ride maintains speeds over 24-mile (39 km) per hour. The Baby Tucker is slightly less strenuous at 20-mile (32 km) per hour.^[42]

Community Improvement Districts

In February 2013, DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved the formation of the Tucker Community Improvement District (CID). In August 2014 the Tucker CID changed its name to Tucker-Northlake CID to reflect expansion into the Northlake business district. Tucker is also home to the Stone Mountain CID along Mountain Industrial Boulevard.

Commercial property owners in both districts vote on a self-imposed millage rate increase and use the funds for community improvements. The tax and millage rate increase applies to commercial property only and not residential. Under Georgia law CID funds may be used for street and road construction and maintenance, parks and recreation area, public transportation, and other services. CID investments are often leveraged through state and local grants increasing return on investment.^[44][45][46]

Primary and secondary education

All public schools in Tucker operate under the jurisdiction DeKalb County School District. Tucker is served by portions of three DeKalb County high school clusters, including eight schools located in the city and seven schools located south and west of the City.^[53]

Elementary schools

• Briarlake Elementary School
• Brockett Elementary School
• Henderson Mill Elementary School
• Idlewood Elementary School
• Livsey Elementary School
• Midvale Elementary School
• Smoke Rise Charter Elementary School
• Stone Mill Elementary School
• Stone Mountain Elementary School

Middle school

• Henderson Middle School
• Stone Mountain Middle School
• Tucker Middle School

High school

• Lakeside High School
• Stone Mountain High School
• Tucker High School

Livable Centers Initiative

In 2000, the Tucker Civic Association adopted a Neighborhood Strategic Plan created to assist in identifying goals and policies from the 1996 DeKalb County Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and to make recommendations for strategic planning and development of the Tucker neighborhood identity. In 2005, the Atlanta Regional Commission issued Tucker a grant for the development of a Livable Cities Initiative (LCI). The LCI study focused to reestablishing Main Street as a central point for the greater Tucker community, create a more pedestrian-friendly and interconnected town center by encouraging walking and other modes of transportation to and around the commercial core.^[56][57]

Police, fire and rescue

DeKalb Fire Station 5

In 2006 the DeKalb County Police Department headquarters relocated to Tucker off Northlake Parkway. The Tucker Precinct is located next to the Cofer Crossing Shopping Center.

Tucker is also home to DeKalb County Fire and Rescue Department's Station 5 on Lawrenceville Hwy, and Station 22 on Montreal Road. The portion of Tucker in Gwinnett County is serviced by Gwinnett Police Department, North and South Precincts, and by Gwinnett County Fire Department Station 2 on Harmony Grove Road.^{[58][59][60][61][62]}

Parks and recreation

Gazebo at Henderson Park

The Tucker zip code is home to over 230 acres (93 ha) of DeKalb County parks and recreation areas including lakes, creeks, trails, tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, a swimming pool, and playgrounds.^[63][64][65]

• Henderson Park
• Johns' Homestead (Undeveloped)
• Kelley C. Cofer Park
• Montreal Park
• Peters Park
• Smoke Rise Park
• Tucker Nature Preserve
• Tucker Recreational Center (Formerly Tucker Elementary School)
• Rosenfeld Park

Public libraries

The DeKalb County Public Library operates two branches in Tucker. The Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library, and the Northlake-Barbara Loar Library.^[66][67]

The Tucker-Reid H. Cofer area branch open on Church Street in 1965. In 2010, the library moved to a 25,000 square foot facility at the intersection of LaVista Road and Lawrenceville Highway. The new facility received LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.^[68]

In 1991, the county built a second library on LaVista Road in Tucker, the Northlake Barbara-Loar community branch, approximately 3.4 miles west of the Tucker-Reid H. Cofer branch. In 2009, the library expanded from 10,000 square feet to 15,000 square feet.^[69]