Real Estate Blog - See Why You Should Spend a Day or Even a Lifetime in Gilmer County Georgia (LOCALISM FEATURED)

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See Why You Should Spend a Day or Even a Lifetime in Gilmer County Georgia (LOCALISM FEATURED)

GILMER COUNTY OVERVIEW
Gilmer County is located in the northwest mountains of Georgia and is within an hour's drive to Atlanta or Chattanooga Tennessee. Highway 515 runs through Gilmer County and is a straight shot to Interstate 75 which makes for an easy commute. (I-75 provides the major link between the Great Lakes and the SouthEast to cities like Miami, Tampa, Naples, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Cincinnati, Toledo and Detroit.

Nestled in the foothills of the Chattahoochee National Forest and Appalachian Mountains, Gilmer is known as Georgia's Apple Capital. Small town ambience, old fashioned blue grass concerts or gospel music jams, fishing, canoeing, boating are just a few of the adventures that continue to draw more and more people to this area year after year.

Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains where pristine valleys are dotted with apple and peach orchards, dairy and chicken farms, Gilmer is blessed with an abundance of wildlife and natural beauty of forests, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and streams. You will love to spend a day or even a lifetime here.

Pictured: Ellijay River

GILMER COUNTY DEMOGRAPHICS

Gilmer County ranks 22 out of 159 Georgia counties in the fastest growing counties based
on population change from 2000 to 2003

Population (Estimate Year 2004 increase of 14.06% from 2000 Census)	26,755
Households	9,071
Families	6,694
Housing Units	11,924
Racial / Ethnicity Makeup
White	93.6%
Black or African American	.3%
American Indian or Alaska Native	.5%
Asian	.2%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander	.3%
Other Race	3.8%
Two or More Races	1.4%
Hispanic or Latino	7.7%
Gender	11,902
Male	11,902
Female	11,554
Median Household Income	$35,140
National Household Income	$41,994
Per Capita Personal Income (in 2002)	$21,166
National Per Capita Personal Income	$30,906

Crime: http://www.fedstats.gov/mapstats/crime/county/13123.html
Private Schools:
http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&State=13&County=Gilmer
Public Schools:
http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&State=13&County=Gilmer
Public Library:
http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/librarysearch/library_list.asp?Search=1&State=13&County=Gilmer
Places of Worship:
http://www.gilmerchamber.com/members/religion.asp

*Source: Information based on 2000 Census U. S. Census Bureau unless noted otherwise
*www.epodunk.com

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE by Sub Area (Communities include: Cherry Log, East Ellijay, Ellijay)

Number of Residential Properties FOR SALE (as of July 20, 2008)

Total: 882	ACTIVE	CONTINGENT	PENDING
Sub Area 1	162	2	9
Sub Area 2	140	3	8
Sub Area 3	420	4	25
Sub Area 4	104	3	2

Residential Property Sales (as of July 18, 2008)

Have We Hit Bottom

*Source: NorthEast Georgia Multiple Listing Data (as of July 20, 2008)

UPCOMING EVENTS

JULY
July 21 Arts ‘Round the Square
AUGUST
August 18 Arts ‘Round the Square
August 19 Kamikaze Paintball of Ellijay will be hosting the MSPA's (Mid-South Paintball Association) 6th tournament in the series. They may contact Christine Ashley at 706-698-5264 or kamikazepb@ellijay.com for information.
August (date not known) Appalachian Regional Fair Presented by Ellijay Lions Club-an Old Timey County Fair. Midway Rides, Food, Display Booths, Crafts, Flower Show, Livestock 706/635-7400 or 706/635-5715
SEPTEMBER
September 1 Southern Outdoor Cinema
September 15 Arts ‘Round the Square
September 15 Apple Pickin' Jubilee held on the last 3 weekends of September. U-pic apples, entertainment, wagon rides, cow milking, pig races, museums, great food, petting farm, pony rides, playground, picnic area, bakery, and farm market. Hillcrest Orchards, 9696 Hwy 52 East Ellijay, GA 30536, 706-273-3838 applelan@ellijay.com www.hillcrestorchards.net
OCTOBER
October 12 & 13 Friends of Library Book Sale Call 706/276-4528 for information
October 13-14, 20-21 Apple Arts on the Square Sponsored by DEMA 706/635-1826
37th Annual Georgia Apple Festival Sponsored by Chamber of Commerce And Ellijay Lions Club www.georgiaapplefestival.org
October 20 Apple Festival Parade
October (first three weekends) Community of Cherry Log celebrates the harvest with their Festival Music, food and crafts (706) 635-1933
October 26 7:00 - Musical Guest - Blue Ridge Grass/ 8:00 - Jeff Biggers will speak on Cottage Industries in Appalachia
October 27 10:00 - Painting of Quilt Trail Squares; 11:00 - Artist demonstrations; 1:15 - Musical guest Dean Phelps; 2:30 - Curator Anna Fariello will speak Location: Cherry Log Christian Church, 1149 Cherry Log Street, Cherry Log, Georgia Admission: The event is free of charge, For more info, call 706-632-1772 or web site.
October 31 Halloween Celebration, Trick or Treat on the Square
NOVEMBER
November 17 Arts ‘Round the Square, Christmas in Ellijay, Sponsored by DEMA
November 24 Light Up Ellijay Parade, Light Up Ellijay Fireworks
DECEMBER
December Festival of Trees held all month at Gilmer County Library. Local businesses and civic organizations provide and decorate theme trees for viewing by the public. 706/276-4528
December 15 Arts 'Round the Square, Meet Santa on the Roundabout

ATTRACTIONS AND POINTS OF INTEREST

Historic Sites:
Cheiftain's Trail - A tour of local Native american sites; Call Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce for information. Call:706-635-7400
Downtown Ellijay - The quaint square is lined with historic buildings, antique, craft, & gift shops, as well as eateries of all kinds. Don't miss the Hyatt Hotel, now the courthouse, the Perry House, the Tabor House, and the Dr. Watkins residence. Website!
Ellijay City Cemetary - Best Panoramic views of the city, valley and mountains; South of the square,
Fort Mountain - Prehistoric rock formations; Highway 52 West.
Gilmer County Courthouse - National Register of Historic Places, built around 1891 as Hyatt Hotel; On the square, Ellijay.
Kell Farm - Built in 1867 by James Kell, the farm is occupied by his descendants. A marker in the cemetary commemorates Kell's Revolutionary War exploits.
Old Cartecay United Methodist Church - est. 1834, oldest Methodist Church in North Georgia. Call to arrange a tour. Highway 52 East & Roy Road.Call:706-276-3703

Places to Visit:
Apple Orchard Alley - Eleven of the county's 18 orchards are spread across the picturesque valley along State Highway 52. Other orchards dot the county's valleys & hillside. Pick up a map at the Chamber Office.
Colonel Poole's Georgia Bar-B-Q, Inc. - A favorite stomping ground for local & national celebrities, the Pig Hill of Fame offers barbecue & a chance to immortalize your name on the fabeled hillside. Craig Street, East Ellijay. Oscar Poole Call:(706) 635-4100
Ellijay Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary - Call for reservations! Craig Cylke Call:(706) 276-2980
Hillcrest Orchards - Baby animals. Janice Smith Call:(706) 273-3838 applelan@ellijay.com - Website!
Llamas - Off Highway 52 West. Call 706-276-3658 for reservations.
Pink Pig - Jimmy Carter's favorite barbecue place offers delicious food & unique atmosphere with photos of the famous & not-so-famous interspersed among pig memorabilia. Highway 515 North, Cherry Log.
Bud Holloway Call:(706) 276-3311
River Park - A picturesque recreation complex on the banks of the Coosawattee River, the park offers picnic areas, tennis courts, and a walking trail. Old Highway 5 South, along the Coosawattee River. South of the Dairy Queen.

RECREATION

Adventure Trail Rides· Misty Callihan, Call:(706) 258-2276 info@adventuretrailrides.com - Website!
Blanche Manor· Peggy Blanche, Owner Call:423-496-1060 - Website!
Cartecay Bike Shop· Mike Palmari, Owner Call:706-635-2453 mike@cartecaybikes.com - Website!
Carters Lake/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers· Lu Ann Lackey, Park Manager Call:(706) 334-2248 luanne.lackey@sam.usace.army.mil - Website!
Coosawattee River Tubing Company· , Call:706/635-1609 - Website!
Ellijay Outfitters· Anne Micallef, CEO Call:706-698-GEAR annemark@ellijay.com - Website!
FUNWORKZ· Anne or Larry Greeson, Owners Call:706-636-4469 Fax:706-636-4499 Anneinellijay@aol.com
Georgia Apple Festival · W. Scott Sharp, Call:706-636-4500 Fax:706-635-7410 gaapplefestival@ellijay.com - Website!
Grandpa Jones Corn Maze & Pumpkins· Scott & Jewell Jones, Owners Call:706-273-2306 scott-jewell@ellijay.com - Website!
Kamikaze Paintball of Ellijay, Inc.· Christine Ashley, President Call:706-698-5264 kamikazepb@ellijay.com - Website!
Licklog Creek Ranch· David & Robin Reece, Owners Call:706-276-3055 drreece@ellijay.com
Mountaintown Outdoor Expeditions· Jay Syrmansky, Call:(706) 635-2524
North Georgia Mountain Outfitters· Gil & Collin, Co-Owners Call:706-698-4453 info@hikenorthgeorgia.com - Website!
Ocoee Adventure Center· Larry Mashburn, Call:888-723-8622
Ocoee Rafting· Angie Arp, Call:800-251-4800 Fax:423-496-3389 info@ocoeerafting.com - Website!
Reece's Corn Maze· David & Robin Reece, Owners Call:706-276-3055 Fax:706-276-3055 drreece@ellijay.com - Website!
Rolling Thunder River Co.· Charles Miller, Call:800-408-7238 rafting@rollingthunderriverco.com - Website!
Ruby's Naturalist Corner· Ruby K. Mithcell, Naturalist Call:706-422-8753 parknature2006@yahoo.com - Website!
*Source: Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce

All information contained herein is deemed reiliable and accurate but is not guaranteed

JUST GOOGLE: Lot 23 Ridges Over the Lake, Blue Ridge Georgia
JUST GOOGLE: 201 Rooster Branch Road, Cherry Log Georgia

Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor
Coldwell Banker High Country Realty
Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513
Cell: 706-633-0644 (direct)
Office: 706-632-7311 x252
Primarily serving the North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains
Fannin, Gilmer, Union and Towns Counties

Websites:
www.move2northgeorgia.net
www.cbhighcountry.com/re/donnayates

Email:
donna@mynorthgeorgia.net

Edited: August 3, 2008
Edited: September 19, 2009

Posted by Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor Georgia Real Estate,Blue Ridge Mountains on 07/21/2008 04:50 PM

Comments (49)

Life in Gilmer County GA in the Regional (Localism) Channel

north georgia blue ridge mountains, gilmer county, recreation, real estate, active rain localism, appalachian mountains, atlanta, coldwell banker

Originally posted at: "Singing in the Rain!": See Why You Should Spend a Day or Even a Lifetime in Gilmer County Georgia (LOCALISM FEATURED)

This post has been included in Georgia Information Gilmer County, GA Information
Post is included in group: Posts to Localism
Post is included in group: North Georgia Real Estate
Post is included in group: Local Expert
Post is included in group: Lets Do Business, Florida!
Post is included in group: Georgia Real Estate

49 Comments on See Why You Should Spend a Day or Even a Lifetime in Gilmer County Georgia (LOCALISM FEATURED)

JUL

2008

Donna,

Thanks for all of the detailed information. It looks like the housing is very affordable. What a great place to live or to have a 2nd home.

Tracy: There are some great properties for sale and some of the lowest prices in years. This is a great second home market.

My goodness, Donna, this is quite a treasure chest of information. If I lived in that area, or even visited it from time to time, I'd be bookmarking this and saving it for reference!

Margaret: I am trying to put information together that will make a very comprehensive relocation package so this is still a work in progress. You inspire me to raise the bar and do so much more. This is a start.

JUL

2008

There is certainly a lot to do in your area! It is beautiful in Georgie and the Blue Ridge!!! Well.... do not get me started :-)

Your friend in Charlottesville!

Charles: I know your area is even more stunning being in the very heart of the Blue Ridge. It's a real blessing to live in all of this beautiful wilderness.

Now THERE'S a boatload of great local information! Good Job, Donna. You've covered a lot of ground in this post. You might want to go back and break it all down into smaller bite size pieces or segments, making it more digestable and specific for consumers. Keep up the great efforts!

Great site! thanks for sharing all your news about your area!

Thanks for posting this wonderful site - I will definitely bookmark it!

Very nice post and format about your area. Great post!

Congratulations on the well deserved feature! Keep up the good work at always!

Rich: I've learned from some of the best here on Active Rain, too many to mention, but among many greats is Margaret Woda. I plan to use this same format for each county in my MLS so your suggestions are very much appreciated. I'm aways open to making my posts better for any reader, particularly the consumer.

Li: Thank you for your comment.

YonaBello: I appreciate your interest very much.

Sharon: Thank you for your comment.

Tracy: I certainly didn't have that in mind when I wrote this post but it's a very nice surprise. Hard work pays off in many ways.

Good work Donna...as always!

The apple festival is right around the corner, me and the kids can't wait!

GA Realtor Directory

What a cool place to visit or live. I can't believe I grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee and never visited.

Fabulous information, Donna! It is a great snapshot of Gilmer County. Definitely bookmark-able!!

JUL

2008

James: I remember showing property last year during that time and it took awhile to get around. The Apple Festival is a huge hit and can't wait for all the visitors to come.

Jim: Oh my goodness! You really must make a trip to my area soon. It's close enough for a day or weekend trip from where yu are. Be sure to check out Blue Ridge in Fannin County. That will the next county I will write about.

Kim: That picture is the Ellijay River which you may know. Thanks for your comment, it means a lot.

Donna this is a great post about your area. This is a well deserved featured post. Keep up the great work!! I think I like this a lot... hope you don't mind if I borrow a couple of ideas from you! :-D

Donna, This is an outstanding post full of information and stats about your lovely area! I'm so glad it got a feature in Localism and hope it brings you much business, you truly are an expert there.

Kimberly: Thank you for such a nice comment. I don't mind at all if you borrow some ideas. I'm flattered and can't take the credit because I have learned from so many other AR members. They are the reason this is a featured post. Go for it and I look forward to seeing your blogs.

Carole: Thank you for your very kind words.

JUL

2008

Donna, great job on the post, looks like a neat place as well as an active town. Must have a good event coordinator!

Very nice job of putting a lot if information together. I need to take some lessons. Posting market reports does not come naturally to me! Cute pup! We used to have a black cocker named Bob.

DONNA - Nice job on this post. There is so much information that people can learn about your area. I've featured this in Local Expert.

Duane: Thank you for your comment.

Vicki: Thank you for your comment. I just lost my black cocker "Boopi" of 14 years in April. Broke my heart into pieces. I wasn't going to get another dog but when I saw this little boy's face, I just had to have him and his sister too. She didn't want to pose for the picture with her brother. So here she is anyway:

Adam: Thank you very much. I am honored.

JUL

2008

Donna, camera shy little lady, LOL. To cute!

JUL

2008

Duane: Just a little bull headed more than anything else but very lovable just the same. I think the boy (pictured on my background) is a bit of a ham. LOL

JUL

2008

Donna, as always, you do such a great job on your mountain posts! Stats, pix, and as I have heard through your grapvine, video too!

JUL

2008

Tracy: You are very kind. I hope to have a movie coming out very soon!

AUG

2008

Donna - this is great post about Gilmer County! You have included so much information here, you have done a great job!!!!

Sharon: I found a new love for Gilmer County when writing this post. This county has so much to offer and beauty abounds. Lot of work but well worth it. Now, I have three more to go! Whew.

AUG

2008

Donna, I swear you always make this area sound so darn attractive. I've bookmarked this blog for future reference when my husband and I want to take a drive.

Thanks for including all the future activities and the cute pup picture too!

Cynthia: Thank you very much for your comment. I'm happy you felt it was worthy of being bookmarked. I can't take any credit for making the area sound attractive because the area truly lends itself to great beauty. I hope to have my favorite - Fannin County posted soon as well as, Union and Towns.

DEC

Congratulations on you feature! Great job Cynthia-you gave me a food for thought about my town or area...thanks,

DEC

Bo: I am glad I was able to inspire you. That was part of the goal and to also inspire people to come for a visit or an extended stay. This one took a lot of time but was great fun creating it and I want to do the same for other counties in my target area; I just haven't found the time as yet. Come back when you have yours done and give me the link, I would love to read it.

Donna, thanks for your kind words...and I apologize for addressing you Cynthia, I guess I looked at the previous post...My tour will take a little time and I thought about a better weather...meaning more sunshine, colors and not bear trees.

Today is the day when you vote, don't you?

Stay warm and keep in touch!

Bo: No problem, it's easy to do when you see the prior comment. I've done it myself a time or two. I should be out getting pictures because we've had snow here yesterday and then some more overnight but it's just so cold. I don't know about voting today, I haven't kept up. Guess I better check into it. See you in the rain.

Bo: te he, te he - I just checked and yes today is the runoff - gosh already!

Go vote Donna ... lol...

Bo: Thanks for reminding me. I've been thinking it was Monday all day long. I hate that when it happens. So I ran out to vote. I would have missed it had it not been for you. Thanks again.

You are welcomed. You know I remember someone saying that the bad politicians are elected by good citizens who do not vote! Isn't that the truth? well, that is why we are in such mess!

Hugs,

DEC

Lot's of great details there!!!

DEC

Bo: There is a lot of truth in that statement.

Rodney: This was a lot of work but I really enjoyed writing this post. Thank you for your comment.

MAY

Lots of great information about Gilmer County. Loved the photo too. I can tell you put in lots of time and work - well deserved feature!

MAY

Alexsandra: Love the name! Thank you for the comment. It was a lot of work but a real labor of love. I had intended to do this for all the counties in my primary target area but fell off track. Thanks for resurrecting this one, you've inspired me to get back in the swing again.

JUL

Hi Donna,

Awesome BLOG!!! It is great to see another realtor who understands that building an image online is so valuable. I myself even after 30 plus years of experience would not have had a clue if it weren't for Keller William's technology training. If you should ever be interested in finding out more about Keller Williams Realty, and the benefits we provide our Realtors (education, profit sharing, commission splits, culture etc.). I would be more than happy to set aside time for more individuals like you. Please contact me at 440.336.0612. I wish you the best of luck with your career, and an awesome week.

Sincerely,

CJ Harrington

Keller Williams Realty

440.336.0612

AUG

Great info! Well done, Donna. Congrats on being featured.

AUG

Kent: Thank you for your comment. I've been away from AR for a while but getting back in the game when I can.

CJ: Sorry I missed your nice offer and am just now responding. I appreciate it very much but must say that I am completely happy with Coldwell Banker High Country Realty in Blue Ridge. That has been the smartest career move I've made and the best decision I've made this year! Wishing you the best.

SEP

Donna,

You have inspired me to do this for my area! thanks,

SEP

Hi Tracy: It's a lot of work but was fun putting it all together.

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