Population 23,294 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Ellijay
Household size in Ellijay
| Period | Ellijay | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.35 | 2.70 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.57 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.56 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.57 | 2.73 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.22 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
The average household in Ellijay has 2.57 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.35 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Ellijay
| Period | Ellijay | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.2 | 36.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.6 | 36.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.3 | 38.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.0 | 38.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.8 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 48.0, Ellijay is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.2, mirroring the country. Of the 282 Georgia cities with 5,000+ people, only ten are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Ellijay
| Period | Ellijay | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.9% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.3% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.0% | 13.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.8% | 13.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Ellijay than nationally: 8.8%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 3.2 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Ellijay has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Georgia cities.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Ellijay
Renters in Ellijay
| Period | Ellijay | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.1% | 32.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.8% | 35.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.9% | 36.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.0% | 34.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | −8.2 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 21.0% of households in Ellijay rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 51.2% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the north; owners are most common in the southwest. The renter share is down 8.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Ellijay
| Period | Ellijay | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.0% | 13.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 31.3% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 28.5% | 11.6% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.3% | 10.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 26.3% of the housing in Ellijay, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Only eight of the 282 Georgia cities with 5,000+ people have a higher vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Ellijay
| Period | Ellijay | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1987 | 1985 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1991 | 1987 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1993 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1997 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Ellijay is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1997, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1987 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Ellijay
| Period | Ellijay | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $658 | $910 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $765 | $977 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $820 | $1,112 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,178 | $1,520 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$520 | +$609 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Ellijay costs $1,178 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $520 a month from 2006–10, a 79% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 29.0% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the southwest and lowest in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Ellijay
Bachelor's degrees in Ellijay
| Period | Ellijay | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.7% | 28.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.0% | 28.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.6% | 31.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.9% | 35.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.2 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Ellijay: 23.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 11.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the northwest.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Ellijay
| Period | Ellijay | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 75.6% | 84.1% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 77.3% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 82.1% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.6% | 89.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.0 pts | +5.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in seven adults in Ellijay never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 11.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Ellijay
| Period | Ellijay | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.6% | 10.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.0% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.0 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Ellijay has been low: just 2.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of the 282 Georgia cities with 5,000+ people, only 24 have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 6.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Ellijay compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellijay | 2.57 | 48.0 | 8.8% | 21.0% | 26.3% | 1997 | $1,178 | 23.9% | 86.6% | 2.3% |
| East Ellijay | 2.32 | 49.7 | 12.8% | 26.4% | 12.6% | 1994 | $1,169 | 22.8% | 84.4% | 1.9% |
| Kiker | 2.56 | 50.4 | 8.6% | 16.0% | 27.7% | 2001 | $1,752 | 19.6% | 89.6% | 2.9% |
| Talona | 2.35 | 45.4 | 3.7% | 16.0% | 19.6% | 1996 | $952 | 22.4% | 81.7% | 6.4% |
| Whitestone | 2.23 | 55.3 | 5.3% | 13.5% | 23.4% | 2000 | $1,000 | 26.0% | 88.3% | 8.7% |
| Cherrylog | 2.18 | 57.2 | 4.2% | 13.5% | 45.1% | 1998 | $1,182 | 37.2% | 93.5% | 2.8% |
| Talking Rock | 2.56 | 49.2 | 9.0% | 17.4% | 15.7% | 1996 | $1,193 | 17.4% | 90.1% | 4.6% |
| Oakman | 2.91 | 40.5 | 13.9% | 9.7% | 23.2% | 1989 | $883 | 13.2% | 87.9% | 0.9% |
| Dial | 2.20 | 57.5 | 8.6% | 8.4% | 37.8% | 1999 | $945 | 31.5% | 94.2% | 7.8% |
| Ramhurst | 2.42 | 43.3 | 8.7% | 18.1% | 6.6% | 1990 | $1,029 | 10.8% | 74.7% | 5.0% |
| Ranger | 2.57 | 45.6 | 12.0% | 8.8% | 16.3% | 1995 | $997 | 11.8% | 79.7% | 3.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: North Salt Lake, UT · Palmetto Bay, FL · Ottawa, IL · Oroville, CA · Orange City, FL · Olmsted Falls, OH · Olivehurst, CA · Norwalk, OH · North Tustin, CA · Petal, MS
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Ellijay. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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