GEORGIA: Small Towns With High Children's Poverty - What I Actually Saw Surprised Me!

I visited these Georgia towns: Arlington, Edison, Sherman & Plains. Plains, Georgia is the home of former president Jimmy Carter.
Travel Vlog 272

[@TinkerTailor4303]

Just goes to show, one can still have a neat, tidy place without a lot of money.

[@wftyler9680]

Poverty/Low income does NOT necessarily mean high crime. Crime is proportional to social/community values and community/family support of individuals, and community leadership. You can be very poor and have little to no crime. That how I grew up. Food stamps, gov’t cheese and powdered milk subsidies, and our ONLY household income was $400/month SSI. But everyone knew and supported each other as needed - and (most importantly) the few possessions we had we OWNED. Raggedy home, old vehicles, old furniture, hand-me-down clothes. But we owned it. So no one went without their basic needs met. And I too grew up in a very small town in rural Georgia. Generally speaking, if people can live in a low stress, peaceful environment, and can meet their basic needs, they’re content. Regardless of race, creed, ethnicity or color.😂

[@victirynom]

Thank you for such an informed comment. We all relate to life as we have experienced it. Folks made it through the depression. Women were married but became head of household during war. Statistics are just that they never tell the whole story.

[@Randsel]

very true and well said!

[@rvescapades7638]

In the city of Arlington you missed an opportunity to showcase some really beautiful southern homes. There is a Fire department, a grocery store that serve hot breakfast and lunch, a Dollar General, a Bank, a very large Trucking company office, a recreation center, a Senior center, three restaurants, a state Mental health center, several historical churches.

[@Reese8531]

Seem like he didn’t want to show none of the good houses for some reason

[@Johhhnnnyyy]

@@Reese8531 maybe because thats the bare minimum. and only 10% of the town is actually in good shape. most of the towns around there look run down and poverty stricken. Like Adel, Nashville, Ashburn, Cordele, Sparks... I could go on..

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

I love small rural towns. I met Jimmy Carter in 1977 when I was 10. He was campaigning in my hometown. I still have the photograph. Enjoyed this video! Thank you.

[@diagnosticcentercomputador329]

I'm from Brazil/Goiás/Goiânia and I travel the USA with you. I really like your videos and the data added to them. It amazes me that small towns in the United States have such clean streets. Here in Brazil, even in very small cities, you will find vehicle traffic and people walking on the streets.

[@cherienafo7676]

Thanks Joe and Nicole !! Hey you folks watching these great videos- Hit that like button !! These two lovely people deserve It !! Cheers from Australia.

[@catlover614]

A really interesting video, and very relaxing. I love small country towns, always fascinating to drive around, and each one is so different. Cute cat, and the peanut statue is very unique ! Thank you, Joe and Nic, I always enjoy your videos !😊💚

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, CL. 😀😀❤️

[@gatorgogo2742]

The towns may be poor but don't look scary to me. Love the kitty! The murals on the grain bins were so unexpected and pretty. Plains is appealing and invititng. I can see why the Carters choose to stay there. That smiling peanut statue is too funny! Thanks, Joe!

[@Reese8531]

Right I seen hardly no poverty, nice Quiet Towns, no crime really, we’re it’s life threatening crime, seem like a nice area

[@annedonlon2232]

Thanks once again Joe and Nicole, its me again from Galway Ireland. I want to go down to Georgia. 😃 beautifu little towm.

[@nathant17]

Fantastic video! In my opinion, this is where this channel really shines, showcasing some of the forgotten, rural corners of the country. Checking out the Wikipedia entries as you go along, Plains has some of the strangest numbers that I've seen. In addition to the relatively high home values for a rural area, the population numbers have really yo-yoed throughout the years. For example, the population increased 174% between 2000-2010 and dropped 26% between 2010-2020. Apparently it has bounced back since then according to the numbers cited in the video. Makes me think the area might be a small retirement community of sorts.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That all sounds reasonable. 👍😀

[@dianneperry2903]

The white building you see, I don't think is Jimmy Carter's house. His house is a brick house behind the white building.

[@LJones69]

Hope you and Nicole had a great vacation! I wasn’t expecting a video so quickly so this was a great surprise! Love getting the notification you guys have a new video out!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks!

[@denisewards]

What a surprise to see a new video today. I'm glad you and Nicole had a lovely vacation.

[@joycelebaron2582]

When you passed through Shellman, I was wondering who the guy with the guitar was on one of those storage towers that were painted. (Forgive me, I don't know what they're called. There must be a more accurate term.) But anyway, it's Boudleaux Bryant, Country Music and Songwriter Hall of Famer who wrote "Rocky Top" "Love Hurts" "All I Have to do is Dream" and some of the Everly Brothers' hits.

[@gregorytubbs3444]

Two of us rode through Plains some years back. Early afternoon and the streets were already rolled up for the day. Restaurant was closed and we just missed the museum. Had to ride east to the last town to the Waffle House because that was the only restaurant still open. They end the day early in that part of the country. And I don't recall a fence around the Carter home either. It was pretty inconspicuous and we didn't realize we passed by. There was a small pullover and a plaque to indicate it was the Carter residence. The president has two secret service agents assigned to him. If I remember correctly, every president has a secret service driver for life. They no longer drive for themselves after holding office.

[@stewartcarroll304]

What a surprisingly modest house for a former president especially compared to some of the more recent ones 🍊

[@gregorytubbs3444]

@@stewartcarroll304 that's the house he's always lived in.

[@LeahInAtlanta]

Thank you for going to Plains. I've always wanted to see where Jimmy Carter was from. I'm in Atlanta, and nobody ever wanted to drive down there with me. 😢

[@Madskillsuniversity]

Wow, that was a great trip. I guess numbers can lie - sort of. LOL. Love these small towns and there were surprises everywhere on this trip, which was GREAT! Thank Joe.

[@nancyparker9986]

Thanks again Joe and Nik ! Your videos are a breath of fresh air with all this craziness going on in this world !

[@NOYB700]

My dad is from rural GA, not a lot of crime there either, could leave your doors unlocked ! Everyone knows everyone! So the low crime stats doesn’t shock me at all! I can only imagine the history in these towns! Thanks for sharing

[@ShauninaV]

Buddy i don’t see anybody struggling there and you just showed the whole town seen good houses up to date probably renovated inside at that crime is low so it’s not poverty line . Look at the cars there sir, they’re doing just fine and probably grew up there for a long time.

[@ByDesign333]

You nailed it!

[@daviddecelles8714]

No mortgages. Low real estate tax. Enough land for a garden. Chicken coop for eggs would probably be allowed. No winter heat bills. Joe is inclined to transpose the costs of big city living onto these areas.

[@Reese8531]

@@ByDesign333right these are beautiful towns!! I see no poverty!! Idk why he didn’t check out more Arlington, it’s a lot of beautiful homes he didn’t show for some reason

[@suzzzzzzy]

Ummmm sta-tis-tics

[@m.g.9283]

This is something i would love to do. Travel the US by road and just explore those small roads and towns. Thank you for showing us around the US of A!

[@felicia9321]

Because you dint go down far enough, if you had crossed over that rail road, went down a peice, dollar general is on the right, three building down is a grocery story. Arlington is small but the do have a couple of stores.

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

could be an actually low crime rate, but it could be simply a sign that most crimes are not officially recorded on the books... sometimes, a "low" crime rate is a sign of dysfunctional police-work. seem to remember reading about a town *(I believe it was in Louisiana) where a group of journalists discovered 800 violent crimes that were never investigated or recorded by the sheriff/police.

[@slimbaby4285]

It’s mostly women in this town. I’d say that’s why the rate is that low. I believe it. Lol

[@edf2953]

I really enjoyed the tour through Plains Georgia. Very interesting to see Jimmy Carters home. Not what I expected. I had imagined him living in a huge mansion on a large peanut farm. Didn’t realize Plains Georgia is such a small town. Thanks for sharing.

[@LeahInAtlanta]

This is interesting. His house looked just the way I thought it would be because Plains is a small country town. Large house, but no mansion type of thing. Lots of grass and a big fence. Comfortable and nice.

[@latannbuchanan7178]

Thanks for coming to Plains, I've lived 6 miles north of Plains since 1973,, Interesting to see it in your video,,

[@mslafay7]

Wow, Thanks for showing Edison. According to my DNA matches, I have ancestors from Edison, Calhoun County, GA... Right where you are. But they all left in the 1930's... Thanks for your videos, I'm really enjoying them.

[@kdgaming4703]

You was so close to Valdosta and the surrounding small royal towns, I wish you would have went in that direction and seen some of the damage that hurricane Idela did last month but anyway great video!

[@58jennypenny]

what beautiful well kept towns being as they aren't that well off.

[@Reese8531]

Right everybody really know each other

[@marthakierstead3415]

Another enjoyable video ! Thanks Joe and Nic .

[@AndreaLKL72]

I turn on your videos every morning I log into work and daydream about my next road trip. Love you guys please keep up the videos! Especially the cruising around town & through neighborhoods. ❤

[@cherylmarshall840]

Thanks for sharing your videos with us God bless you and your family

[@mariesheppard3750]

Yes I m in Canada but I remember when he was President , another nice video Thanks

[@markmassy]

Thank you for all the videos. I really enjoy them.

[@NicoMCH666]

always so cool watching these videos, it's like taking a sightseeing trip from your desk 😎. Cheers from Switzerland and since it's Georgia let's go Phillies 😁⚾

[@RupanagudiRaviShankar]

yes fully agree - it is a sightseeing trip sitting in one's place

[@buk6708]

Georgia and Phillies? Your 700 miles off lol.

[@buk6708]

His Cairo, I'll and other midwestern video is awesome.

[@NicoMCH666]

@@buk6708 in reference to the Braves vs. Phillies in the NLDS right now 😉

[@SajjadKhan-jn7cw]

very informative video thanks for sharing joe and Nic 👍

[@davechristian7543]

Hoping still to see you in Australia my friend Joey 'might even like to stop by at my house in the central west of nsw. who knows as its honey n wine country n you'd like it #Peace.

[@valeriebillings7248]

Love your channel! Thanks for traveling through the small towns of GA. ❤👍🏽 As always safe travels and enjoy the ride! 😊

[@cecoya]

Some interesting information on these towns. Have a great day and safe travels

[@henrietteancuta-koning7039]

Thank you for showing us Plains and the other lovely towns.

[@TalliesbyDee]

Love your videos and getting to see places I may never get to see in person.

[@siphomogale779]

Very beautiful houses regardless of low income and porvety

[@lawandaclayton8888]

You are amazing Robert. Take care, Hope tou are feeling better soon.

[@usmcmos0317]

Thanks for the ride along. Good video. And some weird stats. Travel safe keep videoing I’ll keep watching.

[@rodneyrucker2508]

Thanks, Kemp, for your support smdh other towns don't want any new businesses this one needs one you just want their land.

[@brucesumter4327]

wow so cool video of jimmy carter home nut his smile i hope you and nicole are doing good have a good week end

[@zoidmo3388]

I got a surprise Thursday road trip. Sweet. As soon as you said we're in Georgia I immediately thought of 2 songs- 'Devil went down to Georgia' & Georgia on my mind' lol. Great vid once again. Enjoyed the greeting black cat..finally a cat sighting. Yay! That peanut for former Prez appears to be put in a bad spot though. Where's the respect @ a derelict gas station! I'm with Mr Carter--not very complimentary either. Luv u Joe'n Nic.

[@dirtywaterpj_dj]

High female percentage, high child poverty… sounds like a lot of daddies in that area aren’t doing things right.

[@neonnoir9692]

A lot of women too, breeding uncontrollably.

[@fredcloud9668]

Why ?

[@tudo8412]

@@fredcloud9668. Hit and run 😅

[@iloveplumpgrannies174]

78% of the town is black according to the uploader.

[@valerieherron4185]

@@neonnoir9692Breeding? Are they animals

[@patm5594]

Good video. I am old too, so I remember Plains, Ga and Billy beer

[@JanesDough855]

You and Nic do such a good job of giving us the details of towns you visit. How sad that children are the ones who suffer the most. Its good to hear these things as we don't live in these communities, at least not most of us, and it is the only way to be informed. I wish you would add in your vids the weather conditions for that town for the year, i.e. highs and lows. Otherwise, I have to look it up if interested in visiting to a place you've been to. I am all for Small Town America, not big city living or those 15 minute cities they want to push. Be Blessed and take care in your travels!

[@hilarybramley7529]

What beautiful trees everywhere

[@tylernaturalist6437]

Haven’t caught one of your videos in a while due to a busy summer! Lots of traveling myself! Glad I’ve got time to sit and enjoy your trips.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Welcome back!

[@1951Roy]

Thanks for sharing, love the little towns in Georga. I live in North Florida. I found a Shellman Georga.

[@1enemyturn]

Such a beautiful nature at Arlington. Would be nice to live here

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

Ironically on the whole Arlington is unusually clean. The the roads are in excellent condition. The last 3 places you showed us are not even close the general look and condition of this place.

[@Reese8531]

Right it’s a lot of nice homes in Arlington, but literally only showed the bad houses that’s crazy to me, he didn’t want to show the nice homes in Arlington or Edison for some reason

[@lazloraj905]

Meigs, Georgia would've been a perfect fit for this video. It's more south-central than southwest, but has very high poverty.

[@suzanne296]

Gosh the black cat.😊 I love it watching and enjoying the rural life from city life I live in. Just horrible with traffic here where I live.

[@Gretchen_T.]

How cool to see President Jimmie Carter's town and house! Thank you for showing me around!

[@jaydub907]

I'm just a little shocked that you don't come across any schools. But I just started watching your uploads they are amazing

[@andrewward5891]

Most of these towns don’t have the population and tax base to support their own schools. The kids in town get bussed to schools in bigger communities

[@Muskratlove]

Hello, I just discovered you KZbin channel today, they’re pretty awesome videos, thanks for sharing.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Welcome!

[@DUMPSTERDIVINGADELAIDE]

Thanks for the video (trivia) the 50 states of America is the same land mass of Australia, it's one huge island, thanks for the history of America, Cheers 😊

[@shirleyandrews1152]

Most of the homes r attractive very neat & clean. ❤

[@mthivier]

23:58 Believe it or not, I actually remember this street and these buildings from a 1976 campaign commercial for President Carter. God, I'm old.

[@juliogonzales5441]

Thanks for taking us to Jim's house 😊..Joe and nic 😊

[@jackies5481]

Thank you for sharing such thought-provoking videos! Out of curiosity, I looked up the murder in Edison. The suspect arrested was charged with the murder AND aggravated assault. It sounds like he was responsible for both the violent crimes! He didn't steal a car, though.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting!

[@wotaj]

There used to be a plastic keychain version of that Jimmy Carter Peanut statue that could be purchased from vending machines for a quarter.

[@ExtremeKustomz615]

That’s the difference between Arlington compared to Collin’s in Ms. That just go to show how much of an effect having a mother and father present. All trickles down poverty rate 17 and under is 40% crime rate high.

[@marthaann4556]

Really enjoyed the video! I have lived in South Georgia for 17 years and it’s a beautiful part of the state. I moved here from a large city in Georgia. I believe the peanut was damaged during Hurricane Michael (5 years ago almost to the day) and looks great now. I love Plains. Quaint and neat. Looking forward to your next video. Alabama has some interesting small towns as well. Thanks for letting us tag along!

[@buk6708]

Large city in Georgia.... Atlanta? Lol

[@neox9369]

@@buk6708Atlanta is the 7th largest metropolitan area in the US at 6.5 million. It’s small 130 sq city designated boundary contains over 500k residents , with many more visiting or doing business there fluctuating these numbers. Savannah is a mid sized tourist city, followed by Columbus, Augusta(home to The pga annual golf tournament) and Macon.

[@pinkywilliams8063]

Zillow showed that home value at $164K and the house behind it at $249K which is his home with that address. Sorry Joe for correction but you are in my neck of the woods. That new map in your new jeep showed the location. Already over 7000 miles....Great tour of the south though. Most people(men) in GA move to Atlanta with big dreams, it's been the cycle around here for decades. That why Atlanta keeps expanding it's boundaries. Thanks for sharing ❤✌

[@dorothydennis7337]

I'd like to know if these towns had a hospital and schools. There was no fire station in one. Also, did they have a police station? Those services are an important part of a community.

[@Ameerah.G]

I lived in Bronwood, GA (20 miles from Plains) as a kid. I remember kids going to school with no shoes on in the 80s. Extreme poverty was normal and it appears to be the same now.

[@buzztp5119]

Since insurance companies are no longer covering homes at the beach or near the coast it will not be long before people figure out they can get land cheap and still be just a few hours from the beach and be able to be insured.

[@chrisamar2]

USA is beautifull. Fantastic nature. Most of the homes are very nice.

[@sbrazwell42]

Love the south, but SC is my favorite..lovely visit. Thank you

[@DOMINYPAUL]

Cool, you should have swung by Buena Vista Ga. Just North of Plains near where I live.

[@rajeevdeshpande7666]

Hi Joe Please make one video on snowfall. Find a place where two of you will also be comfortable but a typical snowfall day will be recorded. Winter is approaching. Good luck.

[@johnlea8519]

Another fan from the UK.

[@gladysnorelus4797]

Plains, Georgia looks very different from my childhood life where I was born .Wow😮

[@stepheninglett3447]

Clarksville GA sayin what's up

[@66mrzar]

from Singapore, I still can't believe what I saw in the US, where lots of abandoned buildings in the town and not many people live

[@user-lw7mw1cj5k]

Now Nicole collects State Capitals so you Joe need to collect Presidents homes. The peanut was cool (my daughter follows another you tuber who has also shown it) and your parting shot with downtown Plains in the background was a nice touch. The poverty was astounding that it didn't translate into crime, I was also surprised. The houses were amazing for the value. As you know here in Texas they would be worth much more (location, location, location). Finally finding a cat even if it was black was also great. Gas in Texas is now sub $3.00 a gallon (Corpus is near $2.93). We drive a hybrid Ford escape and get 45 MPG+ regularly. You should have got a hybrid as 25 MPG is pretty tough.

[@sandrasoares9262]

Looks like a ghost town. 😊 Thankyou for your time today And have a wonderful day and be safe. 😊 Boston Massachusetts Injoy. P.s.look like a nice place to live. 😊

[@Reese8531]

All these towns look nice especially for rural small towns you can’t ask for better than these towns!!

[@judycoln9969]

If you get a chance, please go to Amory, Monroe County Mississippi. The tornado that you showed also hit this town and the surrounding countryside really bad. The County seat is in Aberdeen, Mississippi, which was once a beautiful town that has amazing architecture you will love. Every street had old homes. Check out the stain glass dome in city hall and the church near downtown. Columbus Mississippi is another beautiful town that is going down. West Point, Mississippi, is another town that is close and has the same crumbling old homes.

[@margaretduncan1848]

I’m enjoying watching this video from Aberdeen, Scotland. I like small town America and enjoy being taken around so many small towns. Sad to see so many towns that lost their major employer and slid into a slow decline. Same thing happened to many towns in the UK too, so much for the Global economy?

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Greetings from Australia. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.Where was Nicole? Having some retail therapy? lol

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Working out. :)

[@thesilentgeneration]

Jimmy Carter is in intensive care in an assisted living home now.

[@shirleysimpson2980]

We saw Jimmy Carter and Rosalind in Americus Ga. at Walmart ... we talked to Jimmy Carter a couple of minutes. Rosalind was shopping and didn't speak. You know when you have run in to any of the Carter family they all have the same smile.

[@douglasdea637]

Interesting tidbit about Plains, GA.: On Google maps it is a nearly perfect circle. Wonder why that is. I suppose the town fathers just chose a point and said "the town is X miles in all directions." (There's an added piece on the west side where a retirement home is.)

[@tonysouthdakotah6774]

Shellman, I’m very familiar with that town, as I’m originally from about 30 miles from there. Wow. You should have gone over and done Dawson. Which is pretty much Peanut headquarters.

[@davidglad]

I recall MANY months back Carter entered hospice care. As he's admittedly up there on years. So I am a little surprised you didn't mention that on the video. Of course I'd say visiting a place while somebody is still around definitely sounds more special.

[@TinkerTailor4303]

I know! He must be a tough ol' bird, eh?! (No malice)

[@daviddecelles8714]

The hospice care is entirely within the house shown in the video. He very recently turned 99.

[@LeahInAtlanta]

​@@daviddecelles8714I agree that his care is in the house. I'm sure he's comfortable there. It's a beautiful place.

[@tomloft2000]

They should have put up a statue of a can of Billy beer.

[@ralphl8055]

Very interesting , thanks so much.,🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@lukedawg357SIG]

Jimmy Carter had a brother named Billy he made Billy Beer thanks for the video and ride.

[@fierceperedur]

Some nice old trees. It needs some new kind of industries to bring people back. And a grocery store.

[@johncarter1158]

I'm from Edison GA. Lived there for 10 years

[@mslafay7]

You just entered Shellman, I hope to see Cuthbert

[@Surfguitarist59]

Excellent once again Joe. You might have said so in previous videos, but where do you find the stats you tell us about? I'd like to look up my particular neighborhood here in San Diego, CA. Specifically San Carlos/Del Cerro area. P.S. Believe it or not, there is NOT a Dollar General anywhere here in San Diego..! I simply want to go in the damn place to see what it's all about...LOL

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

US Census. The site I use most, which has the latest numbers, is Census Reporter. This site is specifically for media researchers. Just type in the name of your town plus census reporter. Example: Selma Alabama Census Reporter. The info will pop up at the top. 👍

[@Jaraquea.Smith80]

One thing you never do is stop and speak to locals so we get a sense of them. Also why not ask where's the store

[@keithfaulk1354]

Do Hazlehurst Georgia!!

[@tinal.holloway2149]

Thank you for showing. The birth place of . Former president Jimmy Carter. Jr.

[@user-pj3jq1rs6s]

Interesting!

[@edzelmejia3233]

Jimmy Carter for President. Wow

[@jonathanlee5185]

👍Always interesting. 👍Nick, your menu is light on California (e.g. no Sacramento ; and LA episode didn't feature residential or downtown CBC). Is this some Texas -- Cal rivalry going on with you, like Portsmouth and Southampton here in England?

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

We'll be visiting a lot more of California this coming spring. We just haven't got there yet. :)

[@shantiaspencer918]

Do Quitman Ga next time!

[@eileenspamer]

love it from uk granny