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East Ellijay, GA

Georgia

East Ellijay is a small town in Georgia with a population of 418. Residents earn $26,563 per year, which is 65% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
418 Population 127/sq mi density
$26,563 Median Income $40,269 per capita
$167,200 Home Value
$642 Median Rent 29.2% income on rent
58°F Avg Temperature 301 sunny days/yr
912 Violent Crime/100K 19,343 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$26,563 median income, 2.6% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.1 / 5.0
$167,200 home value, $642/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
912 violent crimes/100K (140% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $26,563
65% lower than US avg
Home Value $167,200
41% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 912/100K
140% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.1%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $642
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.2%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.3%
57% lower than US avg

How East Ellijay Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population418
Median Age57.3 yrs
Density127/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 87%
Veterans5.9%

Economy

B
Median Income$26,563
Per Capita$40,269
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty5.3%
County GDP$1,439M
Commute24 min

Housing

B
Home Value$167,200
Rent$642
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units375
Rent Burden29.2%

Crime

F
Violent912/100K
Property19,343/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault547/100K
Burglary730/100K

Health

Obesity36.2%
Uninsured20.1%
Smoking15.8%
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F (15°C)
AQI44 (Good)
Rain58.7 in/yr
Sunny Days301/yr
Elevation1,382 ft (421 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.1%
High School+76.0%
Graduate+7.9%
School Score4.92

Community

2024 VoteR 81% / D 18%
Commute24 min
Broadband74.2%
EV Stations4
Libraries1

Is East Ellijay a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, East Ellijay receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, a high uninsured rate, below-average incomes. East Ellijay has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in East Ellijay is $26,563, 65% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. Only 5.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in East Ellijay is $167,200, 41% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $642 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 6.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 912 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 19,343 per 100,000, 887% above the national average.

Education

20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

East Ellijay enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. With 301 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 58.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

East Ellijay has a population of 418 with a density of 127 people per square mile. The median age is 57.3 years, 47% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.3%), with 7.2% Hispanic.

Population

418
Total Population
127
People / sq mi
57.3yrs
Median Age
47% above US avg
3.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.1%
Female 57.9%

Race & Ethnicity

East Ellijay vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.9%
15% above US avg
Spanish10.1%
25% below US avg

Social Characteristics

East Ellijay vs U.S. Average

The median household income in East Ellijay is $26,563, which is 65% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: East Ellijay vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$26,563
65% below US avg
Per Capita Income$40,269
Avg Weekly Wage$847
IRS Avg AGI$68,653

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.3%
57% below US avg
Establishments (County)825
County GDP$1,439M

Business (County)

Restaurants72
Healthcare51
Retail117
Manufacturing45

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,361
4% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.01%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.4 min
Drive Alone67.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.6%

Walkability

The median home value in East Ellijay is $167,200, 41% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $642 (45% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$167,200
41% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$642
45% below US avg
Rent Burden29.2%

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-Occupied55.6%
Housing Units375
Median Year Built1987

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,361
4% below US avg
Effective Rate2.01%
In East Ellijay, 36.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.1% of residents lack health insurance. 15.8% are current smokers. 22.5% report depression. 30.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: East Ellijay vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.2%
13% above US avg
Diabetes12.0%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure33.0%
Asthma10.0%
COPD7.4%
Cancer7.0%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.8%
13% above US avg
Binge Drinking15.5%
Physical Inactivity30.2%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress15.7%
Short Sleep35.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.4%
Uninsured20.1%
134% above US avg
Checkup Rate75.0%
Dental Visits55.9%
Premature Death10,784/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access79.5%
Healthcare Facilities51
East Ellijay has a violent crime rate of 912 per 100,000 residents, 140% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 19,343 per 100,000 (887% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: East Ellijay vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent912.4/100K
140% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape182.5/100K
Robbery182.5/100K
Assault547.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property19,343.1/100K
887% above US avg
Burglary729.9/100K
Theft18,248.2/100K
Vehicle Theft365.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
East Ellijay has an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 58.7 inches. The area enjoys 301 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average58.3°F
8% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days301 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall58.7 inches
54% above US avg
Snowfall2.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median44.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,382 ft (421 m)
Area3.3 sq mi (8.5 km²)
Population Density127/sq mi
Coordinates34.6652°N, 84.4908°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS13123
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 62.6-point margin. 74.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 81%
D 18.5%

Winner: Republican by 62.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.1%
40% below US avg
High School+76.0%
Graduate Degree+7.9%
School Test Score4.92
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density127/sq mi
Total Area3.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access74.2%
EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities51
Restaurants72
Retail Stores117

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.4 min
Drive Alone67.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.6%

Nearby Cities

Ellijay, GA 1,931 pop · 1.8 mi Jasper, GA 4,374 pop · 14.1 mi Blue Ridge, GA 1,688 pop · 16.9 mi Chatsworth, GA 4,857 pop · 18.4 mi Fairmount, GA 1,218 pop · 19.7 mi Epworth, GA 1,509 pop · 20.7 mi Nelson, GA 1,015 pop · 20.9 mi McCaysville, GA 1,571 pop · 22.9 mi Ball Ground, GA 2,665 pop · 23.6 mi Dawsonville, GA 4,147 pop · 26.3 mi Resaca, GA 1,247 pop · 26.4 mi Calhoun, GA 17,611 pop · 27.6 mi Dalton, GA 34,402 pop · 28.3 mi Canton, GA 34,587 pop · 28.9 mi
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