084 - Perry, GA: Pecans, Peaches and Tons of Georgia Pride

Quaint and Charming Perry, Georgia Debated as a Place to Put Down Roots

The hosts of the Skip Town All Stars podcast, James and Denise, recently visited the small town of Perry, Georgia as part of their travels through the American South. Known for showcasing interesting lesser-known towns and cities across the U.S., the podcasters discovered a quaint and bustling community with a surprising upscale vibe.

Located about an hour south of Macon, Georgia, Perry lies in Houston County and serves as the county seat. Boasting a population just over 20,000 as of 2020, Perry has seen immense growth over the past decade. From 2010 to 2020 the population doubled, and estimates see it growing by another 25% to around 28,000 people by 2025-2027.

So what exactly is drawing new residents to Perry? James cites recent industrial development like a massive new Jack Link's beef jerky factory along with agricultural processors like Perdue Farms chicken operations. Government, education, hospitality and healthcare jobs also abound for the area. Infrastructure investment has also brought a downtown revitalization with 15+ new restaurants and a rooftop bar added recently.

Wandering downtown, James and Denise discovered a charming small town center with high-end shops, Parisian boutiques, and numerous cafes and eateries. They were surprised by $200 shoes, $2,000 imported handbags in little old Perry. Upon inquiring, locals shared that the downtown is subsidized by several generations-old families who built their wealth in the peach and pecan trade. These scions see a thriving downtown as key to Perry's future prosperity.

Venturing beyond the downtown, both James and Denise went searching for Perry’s outer lying suburban and rural residential areas for a better peek at the town's bones and layout. However, neither found appealing surrounding neighborhoods or communities. Denise felt the mishmash of occasional farm houses, run-down shacks and slightly decrepit properties created an unaesthetic view. She was hoping for more charming ranch-style homes or even a few grander houses befitting Perry's clearly well-to-do founding families. 

James agreed the scattered residential plots were unremarkable but thought promising growth could improve housing stock over time. He cited 40 new single family housing permits issued monthly as proof of Perry's increasing desirability. Denise challenged just where these new homes were being built given the lack of visible emerging subdivisions or picturesque communities. In the end though, James argued Perry's growing industries, invested families guiding development, and bustling little downtown all showed positive momentum. 

So could James and Denise live in Perry themselves? Denise did not think so. She found the downtown darling but the rural expanse too sparse and farm-centric for her taste. James however saw Perry as having potential if communities grew in to provide more livable neighborhoods, especially for those working at incoming jobs but not tied to the land. In the end they debated the pros and cons but both agreed Perry, Georgia offered a charming travel destination even if they disagreed on settling down there long term.

5. 10 Fun Facts About Perry, Georgia:

- Downtown Perry spans just 4 small walkable blocks but boasts surprising high-end shops and restaurants. 

- Perry High School's football team branding is splashed all over downtown after a recent state championship.

- A new Jack Link's beef jerky factory the size of 100 acres is under construction on the outskirts.

- The Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter hosts rodeos, concerts, racing and more just outside town.

- Peach and pecan orchards abound in the area - Lane Southern Orchards offers tastings and activities. 

- Swanson's Food and Spirits, Sweet Evelyn's, and Orleans Restaurant are popular eateries downtown.

- Outlying areas provide acres of affordable land to custom build homes in the $250,000-$400,000 range.

- Warner Robins Air Force Base and its 7,000+ jobs is 30 minutes away bringing countywide growth.

- The downtown facades are beautifully painted with the Perry High Cougars football state championship.

- Southern-style comfort food shines with favorites like fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, and peach cobbler.

6. 10 Facts About Perry Georgia's Real Estate, Income, Crime and Lifestyles:

- Median listing price for Perry homes is around $250,000, up 10% from 2021. Steady appreciation seen over a decade.  

- Median household income is approximately $77,000, surpassing national averages. 

- Extremely low crime rates prevail in Perry - just 2 murders occurred over the previous 20 years prior to 2016.

- Peach and pecan farming and processing anchor the economy for centuries-old family enterprises. 

- Young professionals and military families stationed at Robins AFB 30 minutes west are relocating to Perry.

- A wave of industrial jobs is arriving - Purdue Farms chicken processing employs hundreds from the area. 

- Public school spending keeps pace with growth - a recently modernized high school serves 1,000+ students.

- Healthcare jobs are increasing at Houston Medical Center along with manufacturing and distribution roles.

- Downtown establishment owners are often supported by local families who keep rent low to encourage commerce. 

- Seasonal workers help harvest peaches, pecans and staff busy tourist sites like the Georgia National Fairgrounds.