Blairsville, Georgia

Blairsville is a city in Union County, Georgia, United States. The population was 659 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Union CountyTemplate:GR.

Geography

Location of Blairsville, Georgia

Blairsville is located at 34°52′32″N 83°57′24″W (34.875554, -83.956581)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.7 km² (1.1 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 659 people, 226 households, and 101 families residing in the city. The population density was 240.0/km² (619.7/mi²). There were 261 housing units at an average density of 95.1/km² (245.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.04% White, 9.10% African American, 0.30% Asian, 2.12% from other races, and 2.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.64% of the population.

There were 226 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.4% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.9% were non-families. 50.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.95 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city the population was spread out with 14.3% under the age of 18, 15.2% from 18 to 24, 39.0% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 151.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 167.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $14,120, and the median income for a family was $24,712. Males had a median income of $21,953 versus $28,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,865. About 16.8% of families and 26.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.2% of those under age 18 and 23.7% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions

Brasstown Bald is the highest mountain peak in Georgia. It has a park with a picnic area and a small observation tower near the peak with a movie chronicaling the change of seasons and the impact of pollution on the mountain. The peak may be reached by bus or by walking from a point halfway to the top beyond which private vehicles are not allowed. The Mountain's Address: Highway 180, Blairsville, GA.

Nearby Lake Nottely is a TVA reservoir that is a local recreational resource.

Events

• The Sorghum Festival is held every year, on the second, third, and fourth weekends in October, celebrating the sorghum harvest.

Vogel State Park

Vogel State Park is located on Highway 19/129 South, heading towards Lumpkin County and the Appalachian Trail. It is a beautiful park that is centered around Lake Trahlyta and has about five miles of trails and walkways which wind their way around the central lake and into the woods. One trail offers access to the Appalachian Trail. The lake itself has paddleboat rentals and allows fishing (license and trout stamp required). There is also a miniature golf course. There are 35 cabins (6 log type cabins originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's and 29 cabins of more modern vintage) and 103 campsites (85 conventional campsites with water and electrical connections and 16 "walk-in" sites). The park has seasonal programs (fall festival, pioneer Christmas, kids fishing rodeo, and Saturday music events during the summer). There is an all-day Mountain Music Festival in September (This year's event will be September 9, 2006). Parking is free on Wednesday and the park is an eleven mile, fifteen minute drive from Blairsville. Of Historical note: parts of Vogel State Park were constructed during the Great Depression under Franklin Roosevelt's CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) worker project.

External links

• Blairsville, GA Website
• Blairsville Chamber of Commerce
• Blairsville City Website
• Vogel State Park Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites
• Blue Ridge Mountain News