St. Marys, Georgia

St. Marys, Georgia
Location in Camden County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 30°45′23″N 81°34′17″W / 30.75639°N 81.57139°W / 30.75639; -81.57139
CountryUnited States of America
StateGeorgia
CountyCamden
Area
  Total
25.00 sq mi (64.74 km2)
  Land22.82 sq mi (59.11 km2)
  Water2.18 sq mi (5.63 km2)
Elevation
10 ft (3 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
18,256
  Density799.93/sq mi (308.85/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
31558
Area codeArea code 912
FIPS code13-67984
GNIS feature ID0356510
Websitewww.stmarysga.gov

St. Marys is a city in Camden County, Georgia, United States, located on the southern border of Camden County on the St. Marys River in the state's Low Country. It had a population of 18,256 at the 2020 census, up from 17,121 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Kingsland, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area. The Florida border is just to the south across the river, Cumberland Island National Seashore is to the northeast, and Kingsland, Georgia, is to the west. Jacksonville, Florida, is 38 miles south, and Savannah, Georgia, is 110 miles north.

St. Marys is the ferry departure point for the passenger ferry to Cumberland Island. Other attractions include the St. Marys Submarine Museum, Crooked River State Park, the history walk, and the waterfront park. It is bordered by Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, home port for several Ohio-class submarines. The city hosts annual Mardi Gras events, an Independence Day Festival, St. Marys Seafood Festival and a Music in the Park Series.

The area was first explored in the mid-16th century by Spanish expeditions as part of the settlement of Spanish Florida. Through the decades, it also came under the colonial influence of Great Britain and finally the United States. By the 2020 census, the city had a population of 18,256.