Demographics
Towns County - Quality of Life Factors
Towns County spans 166 square miles (one of the smallest but most beautiful counties in Georgia), and consists of 65% U. S. Forest Service land. Lake Chatuge, National Forest, TVA, and local campgrounds located throughout the county boast fishing, hunting, and an abundance of outdoor activities. Beautiful Lake Chatuge has hosted the 2013 & 2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship and the 2017 Bass Nation High School Classic. In 2018, the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Points Series will be held on Lake Chatuge.
66% of Towns County’s economic base is in services such as the Towns County School System Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation, Brasstown Valley Resort, Young Harris College, United Community Bank and South State Bank. Retail businesses make up 12% of the services sector, including a number of shops providing mountain home interiors, antiques, women’s apparel and more.The citizens of Towns County enjoy one of the lowest crime rates in the State of Georgia, in addition to the lowest tax millage rate in the State of Georgia.
Towns County has been named and “Entrepreneur Friendly” community by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and have also been recognized as a “Camera Ready” community. The county has hosted several film productions which have taken advantage of the beautiful mountain scenery.
Demographics
In 2017, there were approximately 11,500 residents in Towns County. The population grew 9.9% between 2010 and 2017, and the median household income is $39,321 during the timeframe (compared to the State average of $47,829.) The homeownership rate between 2012 and 2017 is 79.5% compared to a Georgia State average of 62.8%. In 2017, the average home sales price rose to $189,400.
The 2017 Senior Class of Towns County High School represented a 94% high school completion rate as compared to 80.6% average completion rate in the State of Georgia. The on-line school rating source, Great Schools rates Towns County High School a 7 out of a possible 10. Typically, students at Towns County Schools score higher on the state tests that the average in the State of Georgia. The Towns County Middle School has been selected as a School of Excellence in the State of Georgia in 2012 and 2014.Labor Market
The 2018 average unemployment rate hovered around 5% in Towns County as compared to an unemployment rate of 4.5 in Georgia. The average weekly wage for all industries in Towns County is $636 and hourly rates range from $9 to $19.
In 2016, tourism supported 4533 jobs in Towns County and generated $1.37 million dollars in payroll.