Blue Ridge, GA

Georgia

Blue Ridge is a small town in Georgia with a population of 1,688. Residents earn $45,938 per year, which is 39% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,688 Population 630/sq mi density
$45,938 Median Income $27,880 per capita
$258,700 Home Value $504,992 Zillow
$837 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
79 Violent Crime/100K 8,737 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$45,938 median income, 0.4% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.5 / 5.0
$258,700 home value, $837/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
79 violent crimes/100K (79% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,938
39% lower than US avg
Home Value $258,700
8% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 79/100K
79% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.3%
34% lower than US avg
Median Rent $837
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.5%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.5%
33% higher than US avg

How Blue Ridge Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,688
Median Age42.5 yrs
Density630/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

B
Median Income$45,938
Per Capita$27,880
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty16.5%
County GDP$1,298M
Commute17 min

Housing

B
Home Value$258,700
Rent$837
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$504,992

Crime

F
Violent79/100K
Property8,737/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault79/100K
Burglary2,701/100K

Health

Obesity39.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.7%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI44 (Good)
Rain60.3 in/yr
Elevation1,743 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.3%
High School+82.4%
School Score4.92

Community

2024 VoteR 82% / D 17%
Commute17 min
EV Stations2
Libraries1

Is Blue Ridge a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Blue Ridge receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Blue Ridge has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Blue Ridge is $45,938, 39% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. The poverty rate of 16.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Blue Ridge is $258,700, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $837 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.6x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Blue Ridge is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 79 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 8,737 per 100,000, 346% above the national average.

Education

22.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Blue Ridge enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 60.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Blue Ridge has a population of 1,688 with a density of 630 people per square mile. The median age is 42.5 years, 9% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.4%), with 1.7% Black.

Population

1,688
Total Population
630
People / sq mi
42.5yrs
Median Age
9% above US avg
2.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.9%
Female 49.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Blue Ridge vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.8%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.2%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Blue Ridge vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Blue Ridge is $45,938, which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Blue Ridge vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,938
39% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,880
Avg Weekly Wage$859
IRS Avg AGI$74,918

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.5%
33% above US avg
Establishments (County)828
County GDP$1,298M

Business (County)

Restaurants70
Healthcare78
Retail140
Manufacturing29

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,910
17% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.12%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.8 min
Work from Home7.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Blue Ridge is $258,700, 8% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $837 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $504,992.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$258,700
8% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$504,992

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$837
28% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$979
1 Bedroom$1,023
2 Bedrooms$1,203
3 Bedrooms$1,524
4 Bedrooms$1,775

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied37.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,910
17% below US avg
Effective Rate1.12%
In Blue Ridge, 39.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.7% report depression. 29.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Blue Ridge vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.5%
23% above US avg
Diabetes11.9%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure34.6%
Asthma10.5%
COPD8.3%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.9%
Physical Inactivity29.0%
Depression23.7%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress15.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.2%
Checkup Rate74.7%
Premature Death12,245/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access85.6%
Healthcare Facilities78
Blue Ridge has a violent crime rate of 79 per 100,000 residents, 79% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 8,737 per 100,000 (346% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Blue Ridge vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent79.4/100K
79% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault79.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property8,737.1/100K
346% above US avg
Burglary2,700.6/100K
Theft5,957.1/100K
Vehicle Theft79.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Blue Ridge has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 60.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average55.9°F
4% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall60.3 inches
59% above US avg
Snowfall3.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median44.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,743 ft (531 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (6.9 km²)
Population Density630/sq mi
Coordinates34.8665°N, 84.3219°W
County FIPS13111
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 22.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (34% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 64.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 82.2%
D 17.4%

Winner: Republican by 64.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.3%
34% below US avg
High School+82.4%
School Test Score4.92
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density630/sq mi
Total Area2.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities78
Restaurants70
Retail Stores140

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.8 min
Work from Home7.7%

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