Ellijay, GA

Georgia

Ellijay is a small town in Georgia with a population of 1,931. Residents earn $47,639 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,931 Population 538/sq mi density
$47,639 Median Income $28,051 per capita
$277,600 Home Value $406,988 Zillow
$728 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature
183 Violent Crime/100K 3,720 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$47,639 median income, 3.0% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.4 / 5.0
$277,600 home value, $728/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
183 violent crimes/100K (52% below avg)
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,639
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $277,600
2% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 183/100K
52% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.4%
45% lower than US avg
Median Rent $728
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.9%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.7%
10% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,931
Median Age40.4 yrs
Density538/mi²
Male / Female48% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 72%

Economy

B
Median Income$47,639
Per Capita$28,051
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty13.7%
County GDP$1,439M
Commute28 min

Housing

B
Home Value$277,600
Rent$728
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$406,988

Crime

F
Violent183/100K
Property3,720/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault183/100K
Burglary793/100K

Health

Obesity35.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.0%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI44 (Good)
Rain58.7 in/yr
Elevation1,234 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.4%
High School+84.6%
School Score4.92

Community

2024 VoteR 81% / D 18%
Commute28 min
Libraries1

Is Ellijay a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ellijay receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Ellijay has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ellijay is $47,639, 37% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 13.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ellijay is $277,600, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $728 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.8x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Ellijay is below the national average at 183 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,720 per 100,000, 90% above the national average.

Education

18.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

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. Annual precipitation totals 58.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Ellijay has a population of 1,931 with a density of 538 people per square mile. The median age is 40.4 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (71.6%), with 16.7% Hispanic.

Population

1,931
Total Population
538
People / sq mi
40.4yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
3.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.5%
Female 52.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Ellijay vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only79.2%
1% above US avg
Spanish20.8%
55% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Ellijay vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ellijay is $47,639, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Ellijay vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,639
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,051
Avg Weekly Wage$847
IRS Avg AGI$68,653

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.7%
10% above 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 Rate1.21%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.3 min
Work from Home5.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Ellijay is $277,600, 2% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $728 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $406,988.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$277,600
2% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$406,988

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$728
37% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,717

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-Occupied33.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,361
4% below US avg
Effective Rate1.21%
In Ellijay, 35.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.0% report depression. 28.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.9%
12% above US avg
Diabetes11.9%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure33.0%
Asthma9.7%
COPD7.1%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.2%
Physical Inactivity28.8%
Depression22.0%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress15.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate71.9%
Checkup Rate74.8%
Premature Death10,784/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access79.5%
Healthcare Facilities51
Ellijay has a violent crime rate of 183 per 100,000 residents, 52% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,720 per 100,000 (90% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent182.9/100K
52% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault182.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,719.5/100K
90% above US avg
Burglary792.7/100K
Theft2,804.9/100K
Vehicle Theft122.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
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. 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)

Precipitation & Snow

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

Air Quality

AQI Median44.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,234 ft (376 m)
Area3.6 sq mi (9.3 km²)
Population Density538/sq mi
Coordinates34.6913°N, 84.4839°W
County FIPS13123
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 18.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 62.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 81%
D 18.5%

Winner: Republican by 62.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.4%
45% below US avg
High School+84.6%
School Test Score4.92
C Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density538/sq mi
Total Area3.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

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 Commute28.3 min
Work from Home5.3%

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