Milledgeville, GA, United States

Capital City

With a population of just 17,070, Milledgeville may seem like a sleepy Southern town, but its history as Georgia's former state capital comes with baggage. The relocation of the capital to Atlanta in 1868 dealt a major economic blow, and the city has struggled to recover ever since, with the downsizing of state institutions like the Central State Hospital contributing to persistent poverty - the poverty rate stands at over 41%, far above the national average. And while the town's antebellum architecture and Flannery O'Connor's Andalusia Farm draw tourists, the bureaucratic headaches of managing aging infrastructure and a dwindling tax base are an ever-present reality. Milledgeville may appeal to those seeking a slower pace and lower cost of living, but it's hardly a carefree escape.