In 1830, the town now known as Porterdale was merely a large cotton patch on the shoals of the Yellow River, three miles south of Covington, Georgia. Part of the settlement had been in Henry and Rockdale counties. Because of the many cedar trees that grew along the banks of the river, the settlement adopted the name Cedar Shoals.

Cedar Shoals was incorporated as a town in 1917. The voters of the district voted on March 10, 1917, to incorporate the town and Judge Charles W. Smith recorded it on March 19, 1917. It was given the name Porterdale after Porterdale Mills, Inc. and Oliver S. Porter.

About Your City Government: The City of Porterdale operates under a council-manager form of government. The Porterdale City Council is comprised of a mayor and five council members elected by the people on a nonpartisan ballot.

The Mayor and Council Members are  elected at large; by registered city residents  of Porterdale.

The Mayor and Council serve as the legislative and policy making body of the municipal government. Together they enact city ordinances, appropriate funds to conduct city business and provide policy direction to the administrative staff.

The City Manager works closely with the Mayor and Council to assist them in formulating policies and programs. Overseeing all city employees, the City Manager is responsible for the efficient ongoing operation of all city services as set forth by the City Council.