Georgetown most commonly refers to the capital and largest city of Guyana, a country on the northern coast of South America.It may also refer to other places around the world; see the sections on places, transport, education, and other uses below.
Places
Africa
Georgetown serves as the capital and primary settlement on Ascension Island, a remote volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean forming part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.[1] Established by the Royal Navy in 1815 following the island's annexation, it developed significantly in the 19th century as a vital coaling station and safe haven for maritime vessels, supporting British naval operations and commercial shipping routes.[2] The settlement houses the administrative headquarters of the Ascension Island Government, overseeing local governance, and plays a key role in monitoring the island's active volcanism through scientific installations.[3] As of 2023, the island's population, concentrated in Georgetown, stands at approximately 800 residents, primarily contract workers with no indigenous inhabitants or right of abode.[4]In The Gambia, the town formerly known as Georgetown—renamed Janjanbureh in 1995—lies on MacCarthy Island (also called Janjanbureh Island) in the Gambia River, serving as a historic port and administrative center in the Central RiverRegion.[5] Founded in 1823 by BritishCaptainAlexanderGrant as a settlement for freed slaves, it functioned as a colonial outpost for suppressing the transatlantic slave trade and promoting missionary activities, reflecting broader British efforts to resettle liberated Africans across West Africa.[5] The site preserves colonial-era structures, including a governor's residence and Methodist church built in 1835, underscoring its role in 19th-century abolitionist history and its tentative UNESCO World Heritage status as an extension of sites linked to the slave trade.[6] Today, with a population of around 3,000, it remains a cultural hub blending Mandinka heritage with colonial legacies, though it no longer bears the name Georgetown.[7]No other verified settlements named Georgetown exist in continental Africa as of 2025, though the name's prevalence stems from 19th-century British colonial naming conventions honoring King George III in overseas territories.[8]
Asia
George Town, Penang, serves as the capital city of Penang State in Malaysia and is a prominent urban center in Southeast Asia known for its historical trading significance. Founded in 1786 by British explorer Francis Light as a free port to bolster British trade in the region, the city rapidly developed into a multicultural hub influenced by British colonial architecture alongside Chinese, Indian, and Malay traditions.[9][10] This founding reflects the broader pattern of British colonial naming across Asia, where places like George Town honored King George III to mark imperial expansion.[9]Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, George Town's core zone preserves over 5,000 historic buildings that exemplify its role as a 19th-century trading port, blending European, Chinese, Indian, and Malay architectural styles in a living urban landscape. The site's inscription recognizes its outstanding universal value in demonstrating multicultural living heritage through continuous cultural exchanges in the Straits of Malacca. As of 2020, the city proper had a population of approximately 794,000, supporting a vibrant economy centered on tourism, heritage preservation, and services.[11][12]Key cultural landmarks in George Town highlight its diverse heritage, including the Clan Jetties, a cluster of six wooden villages built on stilts over the sea since the 19th century, originally serving as homes for Chinese fishing clans and now symbolizing communal resilience amid modernization. The city's renowned street art scene, featuring over 50 murals and sculptures initiated in 2012 as part of the George Town Festival, transforms alleyways into interactive galleries that celebrate local life, history, and folklore, drawing global visitors. Peranakan culture, a unique fusion of Chinese and Malay influences, thrives here through ornate shophouses, museums like the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, and cuisine blending spicy-sweet flavors, underscoring George Town's role as a bastion of Straits Chinese identity.[13][14][15]
Europe
Georgetown in Europe refers primarily to small settlements and historical sites in the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland, where the name reflects local naming conventions often linked to 18th- and 19th-century developments in rural areas. These places are typically rural hamlets or localities with ties to agriculture, industry, and wartime efforts, contrasting with larger urban Georgetowns elsewhere.In Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, Georgetown is a small suburb and hamlet on the eastern side of Dumfries, situated near the River Nith in the Nithsdale valley. The area has a population of 155 residents (76 male, 79 female) as of the 2022 census data, predominantly living in detached houses with a focus on outright ownership.[16] Part of the ancient parishes in the region, it contributes to the area's agricultural heritage, with the surrounding landscape supporting dairy farming and crop production along the fertile riverbanks.[17] Current land use includes residential properties and community facilities, such as the planned transformation of Lochvale House into a sustainable employment hub in 2025, emphasizing local economic revitalization.[18]Another notable Georgetown is a historical locality in Renfrewshire, Scotland, near the rural village of Houston in the Gryffe Valley. Originally an agricultural area, it gained prominence during World War I as the site of National Filling Factory No. 4, constructed on 250 acres of farmland starting in September 1915.[19] Production of explosives began in January 1916, and the facility was renamed Georgetown following a visit by then-Minister of Munitions David Lloyd George. The site included a dedicated railway station on the Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway line, which facilitated transport until the factory's closure in November 1918.[20] Post-war, parts of the site were repurposed for the Royal Ordnance Factory during World War II, but the area has since returned to rural use, with no current population figures available due to its integration into the broader Houston parish of around 6,000 residents.[21]
Canada
Georgetown, Ontario, is a community within the town of Halton Hills in the Regional Municipality of Halton, located approximately 60 kilometres west of Toronto along the Credit River.[22] Founded in 1837 by the Barber brothers, who purchased a woolen mill and foundry from earlier settler George Kennedy and renamed the settlement after him, it developed as an industrial hub in the 19th century.[23] The area, particularly the neighborhood known as Georgetown South, gained prominence for its lime kilns, which produced lime from local limestone deposits along the Niagara Escarpment for construction and agricultural uses, contributing significantly to early economic growth.[24] As of the 2021 Census, the population of the Georgetown population centre was 44,058, reflecting steady growth driven by its proximity to the Greater Toronto Area and role as a commuter community.[25] A major employer in the region is the Canadian Tire retail store, which supports local commerce alongside manufacturing and logistics sectors.[26]Georgetown was a former federalelectoral district in Quebec, established at Confederation in 1867 and existing until 1968, encompassing wards in Quebec City such as St. John, Jacques Cartier, St. Roch, and Limoilou.[27] It played a role in early Canadian politics, representing urban interests in the province during the formative years of the Dominion.Georgetown, Prince Edward Island, is a small community in Kings County, now part of the municipality of Three Rivers following municipal amalgamation in 2018.[28] With a population of approximately 600 residents, it features a rural economy centered on agriculture, particularly potato farming, which aligns with the province's production of about 25% of Canada's potatoes.[29] The area also includes scenic beaches like those on Panmure Island and hosts community events such as the annual Georgetown Fall Fair, emphasizing local heritage and outdoor recreation.Historical references to Georgetown in the Northwest Territories appear limited, with no prominent modern mapping or ongoing significance tied to a former trading post in official records of fur trade sites from 1870 to 1970.[30]
Caribbean
In the Caribbean, several island nations and territories bear places named Georgetown, reflecting British colonial influences that shaped naming conventions and development during the 18th and 19th centuries. These locations, often tied to port activities and administrative functions, now emphasize tourism driven by pristine beaches, eco-adventures, and preserved historic sites, contributing to the region's economy reliant on visitor arrivals exceeding 30 million annually pre-pandemic.George Town serves as the capital and principal port of the Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the western Caribbean, where it functions as the economic heart of Grand Cayman island. With a population of approximately 41,695 as of 2023, it is the largest urban center among British Overseas Territories and a global hub for offshore financial services, hosting over 100,000 corporate entities and attracting high-net-worth individuals through tax-neutral policies established since the 1960s.[31] Founded as a settlement in the early 18th century and named after King George III, the city embodies colonial architecture in structures like the 1790 Fort George, while its tourism sector, bolstered by luxury resorts, draws over 2 million visitors yearly to attractions such as the adjacent Seven Mile Beach—renowned for its powdery white sands and calm waters—and Pedro St. James National Historic Site, the islands' oldest stone building constructed in 1780 using slave labor, now a museum highlighting early plantation life and the 1831 emancipation assembly.[32][33]Georgetown, the administrative seat of the Exuma and Cay's district in the Bahamas, lies on Great Exuma island within the Family Islands chain, a collection of over 700 cays promoting sustainable out-island tourism away from New Providence's crowds. Home to around 1,437 residents, this coastal settlement thrives on traditional fishing—harvesting conch and spiny lobster for local markets—while eco-tourism highlights include boat excursions to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, a protected marine area established in 1959 spanning 176 square miles of turquoise waters teeming with rays and sharks, reflecting the Bahamas' colonial-era shift from pirate havens to conservation-focused destinations under British rule until 1973.[34]On Saint Vincent island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Georgetown anchors Charlotte Parish as its main town and administrative hub, situated amid the Windward Islands' volcanic terrain that defines the archipelago's dramatic scenery. The community of about 1,680 people supports agriculture and small-scale tourism, with its black sand beaches—formed from La Soufrière volcano's eruptions, including a major 2021 event—offering unique coastal experiences like hiking to dark-sand shores at Georgetown Beach, a legacy of the islands' French and British colonial contests from the 18th century that left fortified sites and diverse cultural heritage.[35]In Grenada, Georgetown forms a modest district within Saint George Parish, seamlessly integrated into the bustling capital region around St. George's, the "Spice Island's" historic harbor founded in 1650 under French colonial rule before British acquisition in 1763. This compact area, encompassing residential zones and light commercial activity, enhances the parish's tourism draw—Grenada welcomed over 170,000 stay-over visitors in 2023—through proximity to colonial-era landmarks like Fort George (built 1705) overlooking the Caribbean Sea, underscoring the island's layered imperial history and appeal for cultural tours amid nutmeg plantations and underwater sculptures.
United States
Georgetown is a common place name in the United States, with over 35 incorporated and unincorporated communities bearing the name, primarily in the eastern and midwestern states but scattered across the country.[36] Many of these locations trace their origins to the colonial era, often named in honor of King GeorgeII or III of Britain, reflecting the influence of Britishmonarchy on early American settlements.[37] These places range from historic urban neighborhoods to rural towns and former mining camps, with populations varying widely from a few dozen to tens of thousands.One of the most prominent is Georgetown in Washington, D.C., a historic neighborhood in the northwest quadrant of the city. With a population of approximately 6,000 as of 2020, it was founded in 1751 as a tobacco trading port on the Potomac River, serving as a key commercial hub before its incorporation into the District of Columbia in 1871.[38] Today, it is an upscale residential area known for its preserved 18th- and 19th-century architecture, including key sites such as Dumbarton Oaks estate and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.In Delaware, Georgetown serves as the county seat of Sussex County, with a population of 7,134 according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Established in 1791 to centralize the county's judicial functions, it is renowned for hosting the state's Superior Court and Chancery Court, as well as the annual Georgetown Volunteer Hose Company Carnival, a longstanding community fair dating back to the 19th century.[39]Georgetown, Colorado, is a high-altitude town in Clear Creek County at over 8,500 feet elevation, with a 2020 population of 1,118. Originating in 1859 during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush after the discovery of gold by the Griffith brothers, it boomed as a silver mining center and was incorporated in 1868; the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a historic narrow-gauge railway completed in 1884, remains a major attraction showcasing the area's mining heritage.[40]Georgetown in Kentucky, located in Scott County, had approximately 40,500 residents as of 2025 and is the county seat. Founded in 1790 as one of the state's earliest settlements, it developed around agriculture and education, later becoming a significant manufacturing center with the establishment of a major automobile assembly plant in the 1980s that boosted economic growth.[41]Further south, Georgetown, South Carolina, the county seat of Georgetown County, recorded 8,403 residents in 2020. Laid out in 1734 as a port for exporting rice and indigo, it prospered during the colonial period and features a National Register Historic District with over 50 pre-Civil War buildings; the Harborwalk, a scenic waterfront path along the Sampit River, highlights its maritime legacy.[42]Among other notable Georgetowns, the one in Idaho (Bear Lake County) is a small rural community tied to phosphatemininghistory since the early 20th century, with a current population under 500.[43] Georgetown, Indiana (Floyd County), near Louisville, has about 3,500 residents and serves as a suburban commuter area. In Massachusetts (Essex County), it is a quiet residential town of around 8,600 people, settled in the 17th century. Georgetown, Ohio (Brown County), with fewer than 4,000 inhabitants, is historically significant as the birthplace of President Ulysses S. Grant in 1822. Finally, Georgetown, Texas (Williamson County), a rapidly expanding suburb north of Austin, reached approximately 101,000 residents as of 2024, driven by residential development and its designation as the "Hummingbird Capital of Texas."Beyond these, the United States features more than 35 Georgetowns in total, including numerous minor unincorporated communities in states like Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming; for a visual overview, refer to geographic databases like the U.S. Geological Survey's Geographic Names Information System.[36]
South America
Georgetown is the capital and largest city of Guyana, situated on the Atlanticcoast at the mouth of the Demerara River. Established in 1781 by the Dutch as Stabroek, it was renamed Georgetown in 1812 following Britishcontrol and serves as the administrative center of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. The city covers approximately 40 square kilometers and is characterized by its low-lying coastal position, which necessitates extensive seawalls and drainage systems to protect against flooding from high tides and heavy rainfall.[44]With an estimated population of 235,000 as of 2025, it is the political, economic, and cultural hub of Guyana.[45] The 2022 census counted Guyana's total population at approximately 812,000, reflecting migration influences. The city features a mix of colonial architecture and modern developments, including St. George's Cathedral, one of the world's tallest wooden buildings, constructed in the late 19th century from local greenheart wood. Vibrant markets such as the Stabroek Market, a iconic cast-iron structure built in 1881, serve as central points for trade in fresh produce, seafood, and crafts, reflecting the city's role in regional commerce.Georgetown's economy has undergone significant transformation since the discovery of offshore oil reserves in 2015, leading to a boom in the energy sector and increased foreign investment. This development has boosted infrastructure projects and urban growth, positioning the city as a key gateway for Guyana's resource-based economy, though it also brings challenges related to sustainable urban planning and environmental management. Due to its proximity to the Caribbean, the city exhibits cultural influences from that region, evident in its diverse festivals and cuisine.
Australia
Georgetown appears in several rural localities across Australia, many established during the 19th-century gold rushes that spurred settlement in remote areas.[46]Georgetown, Queensland, is a small town and locality in the Shire of Etheridge in Far North Queensland. With a population of 254 as of the 2021 census, it serves as the shire's administrative center.[47] Founded in the 1870s following gold discoveries on the Etheridge River, the town quickly grew as a mining hub, attracting thousands of prospectors by the 1880s and peaking at around 3,000 residents during the boom.[48] By the early 20th century, declining gold yields shifted the local economy toward cattle grazing and agriculture, though mining persists on a smaller scale with recent restarts at sites like Big Reef.[49] Today, tourism supports the community through gemstone fossicking at nearby sites such as Agate Creek and O'Brien's Creek, alongside outback experiences highlighting the region's volcanic landscapes and historic structures like the Savannah House, a former mining warden's residence.[50]Georgetown, South Australia, is a minor rural locality in the Northern Areas Council in the Mid North region, approximately 196 km north of Adelaide. The 2021 census recorded a population of 186, reflecting its quiet agricultural character focused on grain and livestock farming. Established in the mid-19th century amid broader colonial expansion rather than mining, it remains a small service center for surrounding farms with limited tourism draw.[51][52]George Town, Tasmania—often spelled as one word in historical contexts—is a coastal rural town in the George Town Council area on the eastern bank of the Tamar River estuary, about 50 km northwest of Launceston. The locality had a population of 4,408 in the 2021 census, supporting a mix of agriculture, fishing, and light industry in a region known for its fertile soils and proximity to Scottsdale, 60 km northeast. Founded in 1804 as one of Australia's earliest European settlements, it has no significant mining history but features agricultural lands growing crops and pasture, alongside heritage sites like the Low Head Lighthouse and maritime museums.[53][54]
New Zealand
Georgetown is a suburb of Invercargill, the southernmost city in New Zealand, located in the Southland region of the South Island. Spanning approximately 1.12 square kilometers, it serves primarily as a residential area with a population density of 1,982 people per square kilometer. As of the 2023 New Zealand census, the suburb had 2,106 residents, marking a 3.2% increase from 2,040 in 2018. The median age of residents is 35.5 years, with 18.8% under 15 years old.[55][56]The name Georgetown reflects British settler influences in the South Island, with a plausible origin linked to King George III, the British monarch during significant early colonial events. Scottish heritage is prominent in the suburb's street names, such as Bowmont, Ettrick, Teviot, and Tweed, which draw from Scottish rivers. Georgetown developed as part of Invercargill's broader urban expansion during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coinciding with the region's growth driven by pastoral farming and post-gold rush settlement.[57][58]Primarily residential, Georgetown features family-oriented neighborhoods with a median house value of $393,500 as of late 2023 and median weekly rent of $450. Educational facilities include Invercargill Middle School (183 students), Southland Girls’ High School (1,031 students), and St Joseph’s School for years 1-8. Recreational amenities encompass Turnbull Thomson Park, Bain Park, and proximity to the larger Sandy Point Domain. The suburb's location provides easy access to Invercargill's city center and strong transport links to Bluff port, about 29 kilometers south, facilitating connections to Southland's maritime activities. Demographically diverse, 80.7% of residents identify as European and 25.8% as Māori, fostering an inclusive community atmosphere.[56][55][59]
Transport
Airports
Georgetown County Airport (KGGE) in Georgetown, South Carolina, United States, is a county-owned general aviation facility that opened in 1944 as a U.S. Marine Corps air station.[60] Located three nautical miles south of the city's central business district at 129 Airport Road, it features a primary runway (05/23) measuring 6,005 feet by 100 feet, suitable for small to medium aircraft, along with a secondary runway (11/29) of 4,539 feet by 150 feet.[61] The airport supports 59 based aircraft and provides services including 100LL and Jet-A fuel, major airframe and powerplant maintenance, hangar storage, and tiedowns.[62] It operates without a control tower from 0700 to 2100 local time and serves primarily business and recreational pilots in the region.[61]Georgetown Executive Airport (KGTU), also known as Georgetown Municipal Airport or Johnny Gantt Field, is situated three miles north of Georgetown, Texas, United States, along the Interstate 35 corridor, positioning it as a key corporate aviation reliever for the Austin area.[63] Owned by the City of Georgetown, it includes a main runway (18/36) of 5,004 feet by 100 feet and a crosswind runway (11/29) of 4,099 feet by 75 feet, accommodating general aviation and corporate jets up to the weight class supported by its asphalt surfaces.[64] Full-service fixed-base operators (FBOs), such as Cutter Aviation and the City of Georgetown Terminal, offer Jet-A and 100LL fuel, maintenance, charters, and flight training programs through affiliated schools like AeroGuard and ATP Flight School.[64] The airport features a control tower operational from 0700 to 2200 and contributes to the local economy by facilitating business travel and aviation education.[65]Georgetown-Scott County Regional Airport (27K), located six nautical miles east of Georgetown, Kentucky, United States, near Lexington, is a public-use general aviation airport established in 1993.[66] It provides charter flights, air freight services, and hangar facilities for based aircraft, with a primary runway (10/28) extending 5,498 feet by 100 feet to support regional operations.[67] Positioned close to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Horse Park (just 11 miles away), the airport enhances accessibility for tourism and business in the Bluegrass region.[68] Services include fuel availability and maintenance, operating without a tower via UNICOM on a year-round basis.[69]Eugene F. Correia International Airport (OGL/SYEC) serves as the primary domestic airport for Georgetown, Guyana, located six kilometers east of the city center on the Atlantic coast.[70] Opened as Ogle Airport and renamed in honor of a former aviation pioneer, it features a single concrete runway (07/25) of approximately 4,200 feet, certified for international operations since 2009 and handling commercial passenger, cargo, and general aviation flights.[70] As Guyana's main hub for domestic routes, it connects Georgetown to interior regions and remote areas, supporting airlines with services to the country's hinterlands.[71] In response to the post-2023 oil boom driving economic growth and increased air traffic from the energy sector, the government announced plans in 2024 for major expansions, including terminal upgrades and potential runway extensions to accommodate rising demand. As of October 2025, efforts including squatter relocations and sector-wide upgrades are underway to support this expansion.[72][73][74]
Rail stations and lines
The Georgetown Loop Railroad in Colorado, United States, is a historic narrow-gauge tourist train operating on a reconstructed 4.5-mile route between Georgetown and Silver Plume, featuring a dramatic 30-degree horseshoe curve, three hairpin turns, four bridges, and high trestles that ascend 640 feet through rugged mountainous terrain at elevations ranging from approximately 8,500 to 9,200 feet.[75] Originally completed in 1884 as an engineering feat by the Colorado Central Railroad to connect mining towns during the Silver Boom, the line facilitated ore transport and became a popular excursion route with up to seven daily trains from Denver at its peak.[75] Abandoned in 1939 due to declining mining activity, it was partially restored starting in 1975 and fully reconstructed by 1984 under the efforts of History Colorado, with operations now managed by Historic Rail Adventures using steam locomotives powered by recycled oils for scenic summer tours.[75]In Washington, D.C., the Georgetown Branch was a freight rail line owned by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O), extending about 9 miles from Georgetown through northwest D.C. to Silver Spring, Maryland, primarily serving industrial and quarrying interests with limestone and aggregate shipments.[76] Completed in 1910 after years of construction involving cuts through rock formations and a tunnel under Wisconsin Avenue, the branch operated as a key extension of the B&O's Metropolitan Branch, handling heavy freight traffic until economic shifts reduced usage in the mid-20th century.[76] Service ceased in March 1985 amid CSX Corporation's acquisition and rationalization of B&O lines, leading to the abandonment of the right-of-way, which was subsequently converted into the shared-use Capital Crescent Trail for hiking and biking, preserving the corridor's historical path while repurposing it for recreation.[77]Georgetown GO Station in Georgetown, Ontario, Canada, serves as a key stop on the Kitchener line of the GO Transitcommuter railnetwork, providing bidirectional service to Union Station in Toronto over a distance of about 60 kilometers.[78] Located at 55 Queen Street, the station opened in 1974 as part of GO Transit's early expansion and now accommodates multiple daily trains during peak hours, with recent enhancements including 30-minute frequencies midday and plans for all-day, two-way hourly service seven days a week to support growing regional commuting needs.[78][79] The facility features free parking for over 600 vehicles, bike racks, and connections to local Halton Region Transit buses, facilitating access for residents traveling to Toronto's employment centers.[78]Georgetown station in Georgetown, Massachusetts, United States, was a historic stop on the former Georgetown Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad, which connected to the Eastern Route (now the MBTA's Newburyport/Rockport line near Ipswich), located in the town of Georgetown to serve local passengers heading to Boston's North Station.[80] Originally part of the Boston and Maine Railroad's Eastern Route established in the 1830s, the station handled passenger and freight services through the early 20th century but closed in 1942 amid declining ridership and line consolidations.[80] Today, the site near the former Baldpate or South Georgetown station lies along the active MBTA corridor, with nearby access provided via the Rowley-Georgetown line trail conversion for non-motorized use, though no active rail station operates in Georgetown itself.[80]
Education
Universities and colleges
Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C., is a private Jesuit research university founded in 1789 by Bishop John Carroll, making it the oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution of higher education in the United States.[81] The university enrolls approximately 20,000 students across its undergraduate and graduate programs, with a total enrollment of 20,031 in fall 2024.[82] It is consistently ranked among the top 25 national universities in the United States, holding the #24 position in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings.[82] The institution comprises 11 schools, including the renowned Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, which emphasizes international relations and diplomacy; Georgetown University Law Center; and the School of Medicine, focusing on biomedical sciences and public health.[83] Its main campus, spanning 104 acres, is situated in the historic Georgetown neighborhood along the Potomac River, featuring Federal-style architecture and proximity to key government institutions.[82] Notable alumni include prominent figures in politics and diplomacy, such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton and numerous ambassadors.[84]Georgetown College, a private Baptist liberal arts college in Georgetown, Kentucky, was founded in 1829 as the first Baptist college west of the Appalachian Mountains.[85] With a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,111 students, it maintains a small, residential campusenvironment that fosters close faculty-student interactions.[86] Ranked #180 among national liberal arts colleges in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report edition, the college offers over 30 majors with a strong emphasis on the liberal arts tradition.[86] It is particularly recognized for its teacher education program, which is nationally accredited and prepares students for certification through rigorous coursework and clinical experiences.[87] In athletics, Georgetown College competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a member of the Mid-South Conference, fielding teams in sports such as football, basketball, and track and field under the nickname Tigers.[88]Georgetown University established a branch campus in Qatar, known as Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), in 2005 through a partnership with the Qatar Foundation. Located in Education City in Doha, GU-Q focuses on international affairs and offers a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service, mirroring the curriculum of the Walsh School of Foreign Service with majors in international politics, international history, international economics, and culture and politics.[89] The campus enrolls around 300 students from over 60 countries, promoting a multicultural environment dedicated to ethical leadership and global understanding.[90]
Secondary and other schools
Georgetown Preparatory School, located in North Bethesda, Maryland, United States, is an all-boys Jesuit boarding and day high school serving grades 9 through 12, established in 1789 by Archbishop John Carroll as the oldest continuously operating Catholic school for boys in the country.[91] The institution emphasizes a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum grounded in Jesuit values of intellectual competence, religious awareness, and service, with notable alumni including U.S. Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch (class of 1985) and Brett Kavanaugh (class of 1983).[92]Georgetown Day School in Washington, D.C., United States, operates as a progressive independent PK-12 coeducational institution founded in 1945 by parents seeking an integrated educational environment during a time of racial segregation in the city, making it the first racially integrated school in the nation's capital.[93] With an enrollment of approximately 1,075 students, the school focuses on experiential learning, social justice, and interdisciplinary studies across its lower, middle, and upper divisions, fostering a diverse community on its Tenleytown campus.[94]In Georgetown, South Carolina, United States, Georgetown High School serves as a public institution for grades 9-12, formed in 1985 through the consolidation of the former Winyah High School and Howard High School to create a unified secondary education option for the Georgetown County School District.[95] The school offers a standard curriculum including Advanced Placement courses and extracurricular activities, supporting around 800 students in a community-oriented setting.[96]Other secondary schools bearing the Georgetown name include Centennial Middle School in Georgetown, Ontario, Canada, which is part of the Halton DistrictSchool Board and provides education for grades 7-8 with an emphasis on core subjects, arts, and technology integration for its roughly 600 students.[97]Georgetown TechnicalCollege, a two-year community college in Georgetown, South Carolina, United States, operates as part of the Horry-Georgetown TechnicalCollegesystem, which was established in 1966 to deliver vocational and associate degree programs in fields such as health sciences, industrial technologies, and business, with a dedicated campus serving the local workforce needs.[98] The Georgetown campus supports continuing education and workforce development for adult learners, distinct from four-year institutions.[99]
Other uses
Fictional entities
In the 1973 horror film The Exorcist, directed by William Friedkin and based on William Peter Blatty's 1971 novel of the same name, Georgetown, Washington, D.C., serves as the primary setting for the story of a young girl's demonic possession and the ensuing exorcism. The narrative fictionalizes the affluent neighborhood as a backdrop for supernatural terror, with key scenes depicting a haunted house on Prospect Street and the infamous "Exorcist steps" connecting M Street to Prospect Street, where dramatic events unfold. Although inspired by real locations, the portrayal dramatizes Georgetown as an isolated enclave of upper-class unease amid escalating horror.[100][101]Georgetown University frequently appears as a fictionalized elite institution in various media, symbolizing political intrigue and academic prestige in Washington, D.C.-set stories. In the television series Scandal (2012–2018), created by Shonda Rhimes, protagonist Olivia Pope, a crisis management expert, is depicted as a graduate of Georgetown Law School, where her education shapes her high-stakes career in political scandals. The university's campus often stands in for scenes of intellectual and social maneuvering in political thrillers, reinforcing its role as a hub for ambitious characters navigating power dynamics.[102][103]The Georgetown Trilogy by Barbara Michaels (pseudonym of Barbara Mertz), a series of gothic novels published between 1968 and 1995, features fictionalized versions of Georgetown as eerie, history-haunted settings for supernatural mysteries. In Ammie, Come Home (1968), a Georgetown townhouse becomes the site of ghostly apparitions tied to Civil War-era secrets, blending antique furnishings with paranormal disturbances. Shattered Silk (1986) shifts to a young woman's arrival in a Georgetown mansion rife with psychological tension and hidden family legacies, while Stitches in Time (1995) involves a vintage clothing shop in the neighborhood uncovering a cursed quilt linked to past tragedies. These works portray Georgetown as a charming yet foreboding historic district, where modern life intersects with spectral echoes of the past.[104][105]
Media and brands
Georgetown has appeared in various media productions and commercial brands, often evoking associations with prestige and urban sophistication, particularly linked to the Washington, D.C. neighborhood.[106]The 2019 biographical crime drama film Georgetown, directed by Christoph Waltz in his feature directorial debut, explores the true story of social climber Albrecht G. Muth, who was convicted in 2011 for the 2001 murder of his much older wife, Viola Drath, a prominent Washington socialite. The screenplay by David Auburn draws from real events involving Muth's fabricated persona as a German military officer and his infiltration of D.C.'s elite circles. Waltz stars as Ulrich Mott, the character's fictionalized counterpart, alongside Vanessa Redgrave as Elsa Brecht (inspired by Drath), Annette Bening as a federal prosecutor, and Corey Hawkins in a supporting role; the film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and received a limited theatrical release.[106][107]In the realm of commercial branding, Georgetown Cupcake is a popular bakery chain founded on February 14, 2008, by sisters Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne in Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown neighborhood. Specializing in gourmet cupcakes made from scratch daily with premium ingredients like Madagascar bourbon vanilla and Valrhona chocolate, the business expanded to multiple locations across the U.S. and gained national attention through the TLC reality series DC Cupcakes, which aired from 2010 to 2013 and highlighted the sisters' entrepreneurial journey amid the 2008 financial crisis.[108][109]Georgetown Brewing Company, an independent craft brewery based in Seattle's Georgetown district, was founded in 2002 by Manny Chao and Roger Bialous, who initially focused on draft-only sales before expanding to cans in 2017. Known for its flagship Manny's Pale Ale—a balanced, citrusy American pale ale brewed with pale, crystal, and Munich malts—the company has grown to become Washington's largest independent brewery, distributing across the Pacific Northwest and Japan while emphasizing community ties and sustainable practices.[110][111]