Towns County, Georgia | |
|---|---|
 Towns County Courthouse in Hiawassee | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofGeorgia | |
 Georgia's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:34°55′N83°44′W / 34.92°N 83.74°W /34.92; -83.74 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Georgia |
| Founded | 1856; 169 years ago (1856) |
| Named after | George W. Towns |
| Seat | Hiawassee |
| Largest city | Young Harris |
| Area | |
• Total | 172 sq mi (450 km2) |
| • Land | 167 sq mi (430 km2) |
| • Water | 5.4 sq mi (14 km2) 3.2% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 12,493 |
• Estimate (2024) | 13,184 |
| • Density | 74.8/sq mi (28.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 9th |
| Website | www |
Towns County is acounty in theNortheast region of theU.S. state ofGeorgia. As of the2020 census, the population was 12,493.[1] Itscounty seat isHiawassee.[2] The county was created on March 6, 1856, and named for lawyer, legislator, and politicianGeorge W. Towns.[3]
Towns County was traversed by a road built upon a traditionalCherokee trading path, theUnicoi Turnpike, which ran north to south through the county, passing throughUnicoi Gap. It served as a line between European-American settlers and the Cherokee until after the Indian cessions andIndian Removal in the 1830s, when it fell solely into the hands of the whites. When the Cherokee were expelled by US forces from their villages, they were forced temporarily into "removal forts." One had been constructed in what is now Hiawassee. They were forced to travel what is known as theTrail of Tears toIndian Territory west of the Mississippi River. In the early 1700s, deerskins and furs were shipped along the Unicoi Turnpike from Tennessee toSavannah andCharleston for transport to Europe.[4] AUnited States fur trade factory was constructed in modern-day Hiawassee between 1807 and 1811.[5]
Hiawassee was settled by whites around 1820 and was designated seat of the newly formed Towns County in 1856. It was incorporated as a town in 1870 and as a city in 1916.[6]Young Harris College was founded in 1886.[7] The historicTowns County Jail was constructed in downtown Hiawassee circa 1935. The two-story stone building is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places. Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, located in Young Harris, was founded in 1937.Lake Chatuge, an artificial reservoir, was created by the completion ofChatuge Dam by theTennessee Valley Authority in 1942.[8] The lake surrounded Old Burch Cemetery (established 1856), creating Cemetery Island.[9]
PresidentJimmy Carter visited Towns County in July 1980, landing by helicopter to go trout fishing with friends.[10] The $27 millionBrasstown Valley Resort was built on 503 acres east of Young Harris in 1995.[8] Fieldstone Inn on the shore of Lake Chatuge opened in June 1987.[11] TheClint Eastwood filmTrouble with the Curve was partially filmed in Towns County in 2012.[12] Amoon tree was planted in Towns County in 2024.[13]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 172 square miles (450 km2), of which 167 square miles (430 km2) is land and 5.4 square miles (14 km2) (3.2%) is water.[14] Towns is mostly in theHiwassee River sub-basin of theMiddle Tennessee-Hiwassee basin, with a part of the county in theTugaloo River sub-basin in the largerSavannah River basin, as well as a small portion of the county's southwestern corner in theChattahoochee River sub-basin of theACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin),[15] near thesource of the Chattahoochee in neighboringUnion County. Towns County is inside theBible Belt.
Towns County is located amidst theBlue Ridge Mountains, (part of theAppalachian Mountains), some of which are protected by theChattahoochee National Forest.Brasstown Bald, the highest mountain in Georgia, rises in southwest Towns County, straddling theUnion County line. The source of the Hiwassee River is located in eastern Towns County, from which it flows northward intoNorth Carolina.Chatuge Lake dominates the northeastern section of Towns County and extends into North Carolina. It is the highest major lake in Georgia.[16]State Route 515 from north ofAtlanta ends here at the North Carolina state line nearYoung Harris.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 2,459 | — | |
| 1870 | 2,780 | 13.1% | |
| 1880 | 3,261 | 17.3% | |
| 1890 | 4,064 | 24.6% | |
| 1900 | 4,748 | 16.8% | |
| 1910 | 3,932 | −17.2% | |
| 1920 | 3,937 | 0.1% | |
| 1930 | 4,346 | 10.4% | |
| 1940 | 4,925 | 13.3% | |
| 1950 | 4,803 | −2.5% | |
| 1960 | 4,538 | −5.5% | |
| 1970 | 4,565 | 0.6% | |
| 1980 | 5,638 | 23.5% | |
| 1990 | 6,754 | 19.8% | |
| 2000 | 9,319 | 38.0% | |
| 2010 | 10,471 | 12.4% | |
| 2020 | 12,493 | 19.3% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 13,184 | [17] | 5.5% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[18] 1790-1880[19] 1890-1910[20] 1920-1930[21] 1930-1940[22] 1940-1950[23] 1960-1980[24] 1980-2000[25] 2010[26] | |||
As of 2025, the median net worth in Towns County is $266,712 and the median annual household income is $57,239. Towns County has 547 businesses as of 2025.[27]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[28] | Pop 2010[29] | Pop 2020[30] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 9,159 | 10,102 | 11,469 | 98.28% | 96.48% | 91.80% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 12 | 39 | 124 | 0.13% | 0.37% | 0.99% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 14 | 30 | 28 | 0.15% | 0.29% | 0.22% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 29 | 43 | 81 | 0.31% | 0.41% | 0.65% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 1 | 1 | 35 | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.28% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 37 | 50 | 338 | 0.40% | 0.48% | 2.71% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 67 | 206 | 415 | 0.72% | 1.97% | 3.32% |
| Total | 9,319 | 10,471 | 12,493 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 12,493 people, 4,898 households, and 3,240 families residing in the county.
As of the2010 United States census, there were 10,471 people, 4,510 households, and 2,981 families living in the county.[31] The population density was 62.9 inhabitants per square mile (24.3/km2). There were 7,731 housing units at an average density of 46.4 units per square mile (17.9 units/km2).[32] The racial makeup of the county was 97.7% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.0% of the population.[31] In terms of ancestry, 16.3% wereIrish, 15.4% wereGerman, 13.8% wereEnglish, 11.7% wereAmerican, and 8.3% wereScotch-Irish.[33]
Of the 4,510 households, 20.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.9% were non-families, and 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.65. The median age was 51.1 years.[31]
The median income for a household in the county was $39,540 and the median income for a family was $48,020. Males had a median income of $31,668 versus $27,127 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,527. About 5.6% of families and 9.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.[34]
As of thecensus[35] of 2000, there were 9,319 people, 3,998 households, and 2,826 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 56 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 6,282 housing units at an average density of 38 units per square mile (15 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.80%White, 0.13%Black orAfrican American, 0.17%Native American, 0.31%Asian, 0.18% fromother races, and 0.41% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 3,998 households, out of which 20.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.90% weremarried couples living together, 6.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.61.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 16.30% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 20.50% from 25 to 44, 28.30% from 45 to 64, and 25.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 89.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,950, and the median income for a family was $37,295. Males had a median income of $28,657 versus $21,813 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $18,221. About 8.80% of families and 11.80% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2016 the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Towns County were:[36]
Towns County'sSole Commissioner is Cliff Bradshaw, who has served since 2017.[37]
As of December 16, 2023[update], Towns County'sSheriff is Kenneth Henderson.[38]
Towns County'sJudge of Magistrate and Probate Court is D. David Rogers, who was elected in 2008. The Towns County Probate and Magistrate Courts are combined with a single judge presiding over both Courts. This combination court is one of very few in the State of Georgia (Long County is another example).[undue weight? –discuss]
Towns County is an outlier in Presidential politics in Georgia. Lifelong GeorgianJimmy Carter was the last Democrat to carry the county; the last one to get over 40% of the vote wasBill Clinton in1992, butGeorge H. W. Bush won a plurality, unlike in many other counties where Clinton was the only candidate to come in over 40%. Towns is also one of only eight counties in Georgia whereGeorge Wallace came in third in1968. This reflects Towns' highland,Unionist character as opposed to aBlack Belt county.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 89 | 16.95% | 230 | 43.81% | 206 | 39.24% |
| 1916 | 481 | 56.92% | 358 | 42.37% | 6 | 0.71% |
| 1920 | 398 | 60.86% | 256 | 39.14% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 765 | 55.76% | 604 | 44.02% | 3 | 0.22% |
| 1928 | 857 | 62.37% | 517 | 37.63% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 790 | 51.57% | 742 | 48.43% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 732 | 48.96% | 763 | 51.04% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 830 | 48.14% | 894 | 51.86% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 674 | 37.22% | 1,137 | 62.78% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 302 | 36.65% | 516 | 62.62% | 6 | 0.73% |
| 1952 | 983 | 46.94% | 1,111 | 53.06% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 1,096 | 55.33% | 885 | 44.67% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,272 | 54.73% | 1,052 | 45.27% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,140 | 46.88% | 1,289 | 53.00% | 3 | 0.12% |
| 1968 | 1,492 | 52.33% | 770 | 27.01% | 589 | 20.66% |
| 1972 | 1,573 | 79.56% | 404 | 20.44% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 1,175 | 39.68% | 1,786 | 60.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 1,475 | 48.12% | 1,510 | 49.27% | 80 | 2.61% |
| 1984 | 1,960 | 66.06% | 1,007 | 33.94% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 1,783 | 65.12% | 942 | 34.40% | 13 | 0.47% |
| 1992 | 1,674 | 45.19% | 1,487 | 40.15% | 543 | 14.66% |
| 1996 | 2,030 | 48.58% | 1,664 | 39.82% | 485 | 11.61% |
| 2000 | 2,902 | 64.53% | 1,495 | 33.24% | 100 | 2.22% |
| 2004 | 3,823 | 72.34% | 1,430 | 27.06% | 32 | 0.61% |
| 2008 | 4,292 | 74.46% | 1,391 | 24.13% | 81 | 1.41% |
| 2012 | 4,876 | 78.09% | 1,273 | 20.39% | 95 | 1.52% |
| 2016 | 5,383 | 79.16% | 1,210 | 17.79% | 207 | 3.04% |
| 2020 | 6,384 | 80.01% | 1,550 | 19.43% | 45 | 0.56% |
| 2024 | 7,155 | 80.96% | 1,649 | 18.66% | 34 | 0.38% |
Towns County School District offers pre-school to grade twelve on a unified campus. One elementary school, middle school and high school share the same grounds east of Hiawassee.[40] The district has over 2,408 students and 144 full-time teachers.[41]
Higher education is offered atYoung Harris College in Young Harris. TheprivateMethodist-affiliatedliberal arts college was founded in 1886 and served 1,425 undergraduate students as of 2020.[42][43] It offers degrees in more than 30 majors and 22 minors.[44]
TheTowns County Herald newspaper has been published weekly in Hiawassee since 1928.[45] It was preceded byThe Young Harris News which was first published around 1900.[46]
Towns County is served by Chatuge Regional Hospital on Highway 76 North in downtown Hiawassee. The hospital opened with 13 beds in 1951 as Lee M. Happ Jr. Memorial Hospital. In 1960, the facility was renamed Towns County Hospital and the Johnson wing was constructed. The attic caught fire in 1967 and 40 percent of the building was destroyed. In 1971, a neighboring 112-bed nursing home opened. Chatuge Regional Hospital received its current name in 1994. The facility was acquired byUnion General Hospital in 1999.[47][48][49]
Places adjacent to Towns County, Georgia | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofTowns County, Georgia,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
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