Expect Comfort, Hospitality and Community
You'll feel right at home in Burke County, Georgia, because it's the heartland of the good life. Around here, the convenience of the city is tempered by the beauty and charm of the country.One of Georgia's eight original counties established in 1777, Burke County is full of history. Antebellum houses blend with Victorian cottages and mix with modern homes to create a continuity that defines history itself.
Small town shopping and professional establishments work comfortably with up-to-date industrial facilities to create a stable lifestyle for those who call the area home.
In the Bird Dog Capital of the World, you’ll also find plenty of hunting and fishing opportunities. In Burke County, outdoorsmen can find it all, for groups large and small. We look forward to you spending your next adventure with us in Burke County!
Life in Burke County offers so many rich rewards you might find it difficult to leave. And that's okay ... we'll be delighted to welcome you to the family.
EDUCATION
An opportunity for excellence.
Welcome to one of the most well-funded school districts in the state and all of the advantages that come with it. From the immaculate facilities to the elementary school magnet program, Burke County Public Schools are an atmosphere of opportunity.
Thanks to a healthy tax base boosted by Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Burke County is able to invest millions of local dollars into education that other school systems cannot without burdening residents with higher taxes.
Four of Burke County's schools are centrally located in Waynesboro offering pre-kindergarten through high school on adjacent campuses. Waynesboro Primary, Blakeney Elementary, Burke County Middle and Burke County High schools are state-of-the -art, offering the best in technology, laboratories, athletic facilities and more.
S.G.A. Elementary School, located in Sardis, serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students who live south of Waynesboro.
Burke County's level of funding affords the system many advantages that are not available in neighboring counties.
Pre-kindergarten is available to every child in the county, not just to a select few like in neighboring counties.
Every teacher through the third grade has a paraprofessional by his/her side to make sure students receive the attention they need. A magnet program at Blakeney Elementary offers students a chance to excel in writing, math, technology, Spanish, art, music, dance and theatre. The benefits of Burke County's education funding shine through in the upper grades as well, where opportunity awaits every type of student.
Burke County High School offers a wide range of courses that are tailored to meet the various needs of the school's diverse student body. From vocational courses to advanced placement to fine arts, education is customized to help students reach their full potential. Aside from core courses, students may also enroll in a full range of optional course offerings such as piano, modern dance, interior design, SAT Prep and more.
After school, students keep busy with academic teams, service organizations, band and athletics. Burke County's award-winning band. The Pride of Burke County, brings together 150 talented student musicians and participates in competitions and community events throughout the year.
Student athletes enjoy remarkable facilities and the full-support of their coaches, school system and community.
For more information on Burke County Public Schools click here.
Private Education:
In addition to the public school system, private and parochial schools offer parents more options for education. Edmund Burke Academy serves children in pre-kindergarten through high school with an ecumenical focus.
Faith Christian Academy offers a Christian-based education for students up to eighth grade. Faith Christian Academy 706-554-1577
The Waynesboro Mennonite School, a part of the Mennonite Church, serves students in first through twelfth grades.
Post Secondary Education
While many graduates from Burke County schools attend colleges and universities across the nation, others have options right here at home. Augusta Technical College -Waynesboro campus offers students an opportunity to jump start their career with a host of certificate and associate degree programs that range in length from one semester to two years. Students can be trained in criminal justice, computer science, accounting and more without ever leaving town. Several four-year colleges and universities are just a half-hour drive away in Augusta, including Augusta State University, Paine College, Georgia Military College and East Georgia College. One hour south of Waynesboro is Georgia Southern University, the largest university in the southern half of the state and home to one the most successful in the NCAA Division I-AA.
Healthcare
Burke County benefits from a healthcare network that exceeds most communities its size. A full service hospital, a proactive health department and mental health services work in sync to bring high-quality healthcare options to residents of Burke and several surrounding counties.
Burke Medical Center, centrally located at the corner of Liberty and Fourth Streets, offers modern facilities and comprehensive services, including a 24-hour emergency room. General care, surgery, labor and delivery and a nursery are available to patients. Services also include respiratory, physical and enterstomal therapies, CT scans and mammography. The hospital's care is supported by an in-house pharmacy, dietary and environmental services, laboratory, radiography and ultrasound and others. The hospital also recently broke ground on an expanded, state-of-the-art emergency room.
Burke County Health Department provides a range of preventative health care services such as baby and immunization clinics, prenatal care and family planning services, high blood pressure treatment and a dental clinic. The department's registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and a physician assistant work innovatively to keep Burke County's residents well and promote healthy lifestyles. Staff have even partnered with the local school system to offer health check-ups at school, so students never have to leave the school building and parents don't have to take time off work.
Nursing homes and rehabilitation centers-Burke County has two facilities for patients who need round-the-clock or convalescent care.
Emergency Management Agency-Burke County, unlike most rural counties, benefits from a full service Emergency Management Agency (EMA). The Burke County EMA's emergency medical technicians and paramedics are on call night and day at 11 substations scattered across the county in addition to the agency's headquarters in Waynesboro. Some 120 professionals with the EMA are dually trained as firefighters and emergency medical technicians or paramedics, and a dive team also responds when needed. Nearly 95 percent of Burke County's residents live within five miles of a radio-dispatched EMA station where several EMA responders are on duty around the clock. Ambulances provide emergency and routine transport services within the county as well as to those in Augusta or elsewhere when needed.
SHOPPING & DINING
Whether it's filet mignon or crispy, Southern Fried Chicken, there's a place in Burke County to Satisfy the craving. Waynesboro offers several different types of eateries and a drive out into the county lengthens the list of options. In town, diners may choose an atmosphere of elegance at a local cafe' and enjoy a glass of wine over a supreme salmon filet. On the more casual side, authentic, open-pit bargeque joints pile plates high with pulled pork, barbequed chicken, ribs and more.
For what some declare is the best roast beef in town, head to the restaurant that celebrates Burke County's field trial heritage with pictures of champion bird doges on its walls. To satisfy a sweet tooth, the bakery, popular with locals and visitors alike, is sure to offer just the right cookie, cake or cream cheese dessert.
Waynesboro and Burke County have restaurants to suit nearly every taste, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Cajun, seafood, Southern home cooking and more.
Nestled in between Waynesboro's downtown eateries are also a host of gift shops and specialty stores that help keep downtown alive. Other stores areound town range from national chain stores to locally-owned and operated hardware stores that still let regular customers "settle up later."
Largest Employers for Burke County
- Southern Nuclear Operating Co.
- Burke County Board of Education
- Burke County Board of Commissioners
- Wal-Mart Associates
- Alstom Grid/Areva T&D
