It is the birthplace, hometown, place of death, and burial location for Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, who were the 39th president and first lady of the United States from 1977 to 1981.

[5] In 1885, a significant turning point occurred when a major east-west railroad extended into the area and led to the three settlements being consolidated into one.

[5] The city remained a small and quiet one until Plains native Jimmy Carter rose to political prominence as Georgia's governor in 1971, before becoming U.S. president from 1977 to 1981.

[7] During the 1976 presidential election and for many years afterwards, the city saw a giant influx in tourism due to Carter's name, with nearly 10,000 people (around 18 times the population of Plains) pouring into the community daily.

[8] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2), all land.

This area climate is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

Carter's high school, birthplace, campaign headquarters, former site of family business, and his brother Billy's service station are all within a close vicinity of one another in the center of town.

The iconic Smiling Peanut Statue, a gift to Carter from supporters in Evansville, Indiana, lies on the outskirts of town.

When he left office in 1981, Carter and his wife returned to live in the home in Plains they have occupied since 1961, where they both died.