The present City of Comer was incorporated by an Act of the Georgia Legislature on January 1, 1893. The community was named after A. J. Comer, a pioneer citizen.
Geography
Comer is located at. The city is concentrated around the intersection of Georgia State Routes 72, 98, and 22, about east of Athens. Comer is located in the Broad River sub-basin of the Savannah River basin. Watson Mill Bridge State Park lies just to the southeast. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, all land.
The Gholston Fund is an education-directed trust set up by J. Knox Gholston before his death to continue his legacy of funding local education projects in Comer.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,052 people, 391 households, and 251 families residing in the city. The population density was 330.6 people per square mile. There were 424 housing units at an average density of 133.2 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 77.95% White, 20.25% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.38% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population. There were 391 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.04. In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 24.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 73.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $27,059, and the median income for a family was $40,750. Males had a median income of $33,333 versus $22,969 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,742. About 12.4% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 24.1% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Comer is divided into four city districts, each represented by a single elected city council member, elected at-large city mayor, as well as an elected county commissioner who serves one of five county districts.
Elected officials
Mayor: Jody Blackmon
City Council Members
*District 1 Jimmy Yarbrough
*District 2 Jason Luke
*District 3 Beth Johnston
*District 4 Laquita Bridges
State Senate District 47 Frank Ginn
State House District 33 Tom McCall
US Congress District 9 Doug Collins
Appointed officials
City Clerk / Court Clerk: Stephen H. Sorrells
Assist. City Clerk / Assist. Court Clerk: Katie Crane
Public Works Superintendent: Willis Gabriel
Chief of Police: Jeffrey K. Roberts
Fire Chief: Johnny Bridges
City Attorney: James I. Roberts, Kopecky & Roberts
Municipal Court Judge: Robert Sneed
City Engineer: Tom Sloope, P.E., Carter and Sloope, Inc.
Public safety
The City of Comer is served by the Comer Police Department for Law Enforcement Services. The department is led by Police Chief Jeffrey K. Roberts and has 6 employees.
The City of Comer is served by the Comer Volunteer Fire Department for Fire Services. The department is led by Fire Chief Johnny Bridges.
The City of Comer is served by the Madison County Rescue Service for basic crashrescue and advanced technical Rescue services. The department is led by Rescue Chief Mark Perry.
Public housing
The City of Comer has two separate sets of government public housing units. Managed and run by the Comer Housing Authority. Comer Housing Authority - East Comer Housing Authority - West Each housing unit has approximately 15 apartment units.
Public utilities and maintenance
City of Comer Water and Sewer Department - Public Works Superintendent: Willis Gabriel
City of Comer Streets and Sanitation Department - Public Works Superintendent: Willis Gabriel
Electric service in Comer is provided by Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, and one customer-owned electric cooperative, Jackson EMC. Water utility and sewer service is provided by the City of Comer Water and Sewer Department. Garbage collection is provided by AAA Sanitation. Natural gas is supplied by Atlanta Gas Light through various marketers within the deregulated market. Telephone and hardline internet service is provided by either Windstream or Charter Communications depending on where you live in the city.
Healthcare
Comer Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 24/7 short or long term personal care facility that offers physical therapy, in-house wound care and restorative care. Comer Health and Rehabilitation is a subsidiary of Ethica Health and Retirement Services.
Jubilee Partners
A sister program to Habitat for Humanity, Jubilee Partners is a 258-acre Christian service community located on Jubilee Road in Comer. Founded in 1979 by a small group of people from Koinonia Farms in Americus, Georgia, who wanted to establish a community in Northeast Georgia that would function similar to the Americus community.
