62-678: Ellijay , occasionally spelled Elijay , is a city in Gilmer County, Georgia , United States. The population was 1,862 at the 2020 census. The city is the county seat of Gilmer County. Agriculture is important in Gilmer County, known as the "Apple Capital of Georgia." The city holds an annual Georgia Apple Festival in October. Former President Jimmy Carter owns a pine cabin second home in Ellijay. Other tourists are attracted to
124-646: A century later, another major transportation improvement was construction of the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway ( Georgia 515 , named for Georgia governor and U.S. senator Zell Miller ), which was completed in 1991. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.2 km), all land. It is situated at the confluence of the Ellijay and Cartecay rivers, which together form
186-507: A combined question and a MENA category, while also collecting additional detail to enable data disaggregation. The OMB states, "many federal programs are put into effect based on the race data obtained from the decennial census (i.e., promoting equal employment opportunities; assessing racial disparities in health and environmental risks). Race data is also critical for the basic research behind many policy decisions. States require this data to meet legislative redistricting requirements. The data
248-471: A female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.14. In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.9% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
310-457: A household in the county was $ 34,330, and the median income for a family was $ 41,805. Males had a median income of $ 31,217 versus $ 24,020 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 18,117. About 17.8% of families and 23.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 29.6% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over. Gilmer County is governed by a three-member Board of Commissioners. The current board chairman
372-533: A person's origins considered in the census. Thus, in addition to their race or races, all respondents are categorized by membership in one of two ethnic categories, which are "Hispanic or Latino" and "Not Hispanic or Latino." However, the practice of separating "race" and "ethnicity" as different categories has been criticized both by the American Anthropological Association and members of US Commission on Civil Rights . In 1997,
434-439: A politician who served two non-consecutive terms as governor of the state. Gilmer County is home of the annual Apple Festival, which is held in mid-October. Ninety percent of the land is in cropland and forest. Poultry raising and processing makes up the largest portion of the agricultural economy, which generates 33.2% of the total revenues. Manufacturing is about 20%. This was long inhabited by cultures of indigenous peoples. It
496-524: A race. Enumerators were instructed that all people born in Mexico, or whose parents were born in Mexico, should be listed as Mexicans, and not under any other racial category. In prior censuses and in 1940, enumerators were instructed to list Mexican Americans as white, perhaps because some of them were of white background (mainly Spanish), many others mixed white and Native American and some of them Native American. The supplemental American Indian questionnaire
558-675: A separate question. The racial categories represent a social-political construct for the race or races that respondents consider themselves to be and, "generally reflect a social definition of race recognized in this country". The OMB defines the concept of race as outlined for the census to be not "scientific or anthropological", and takes into account "social and cultural characteristics as well as ancestry", using "appropriate scientific methodologies" that are not "primarily biological or genetic in reference." The race categories include both racial and national-origin groups. Race and ethnicity are considered separate and distinct identities, with
620-575: Is Charlie Paris. The Post 1 Commissioner is Hubert Parker and the Post 2 Commissioner is Karleen Ferguson. Other current government officials include: Sheriff, Stacy Nicholson; Probate Judge, Scott Chastain; Magistrate Judge, Kevin Johnson; Clerk of Court, Amy Johnson; Tax Commissioner, Rebecca Marshall; Coroner, Jerry Hensley. All are members of the Republican Party. Some of the past chairmen of
682-481: Is a satellite campus of Dalton State Gilmer County, Georgia Gilmer County is a county in the Northwest region of the U.S. state of Georgia . As of the 2020 census , the population was 31,353. The county seat is Ellijay . named for a historic Cherokee town also spelled as Elejoy in the eighteenth century. The county was created on December 3, 1832, and was named for George Rockingham Gilmer ,
SECTION 10
#1732797260854744-534: Is from the Indian subcontinent ) were counted as White. There was a questionnaire that was asked of only a sample of respondents. These questions were as follows: Questions on Spanish or Hispanic Origin or Descent Is this person's origin or descent? Mexican Puerto Rican Cuban Central American Other Spanish No, none of these This year added several options to the race question, including Vietnamese, Indian (East), Guamanian, Samoan, and re-added Aleut. Again,
806-546: Is home to an impressive specimen of yellow poplar known colloquially as "the big poplar". This particular specimen is 100 feet tall and approximately 20 feet in circumference at its base. The tree can be accessed via Bear Creek Trail in the Chattahoochee National Forest. James Dickey 's novel Deliverance was set on a fictional river modeled on the Coosawattee , prior to the construction of
868-607: Is needed to monitor compliance with the Voting Rights Act by local jurisdictions". Data on ethnic groups are important for putting into effect a number of federal statutes (i.e., enforcing bilingual election rules under the Voting Rights Act and monitoring/enforcing equal employment opportunities under the Civil Rights Act ). Data on ethnic groups is also needed by local governments to run programs and meet legislative requirements (i.e., identifying segments of
930-817: The ACT River Basin (Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin). Three very small parts of the eastern and northern edges of the county are located in the Conasauga River sub-basin of the ACT River Basin, while slightly larger portions of the northern and eastern border areas of Gilmer County are located in the Ocoee River sub-basin of the Middle Tennessee-Hiwassee basin. As of the 2020 United States Census , there were 31,353 people, 12,021 households, and 8,028 families residing in
992-541: The Coosawattee River . Approximately 4,000 Cherokees died in the ensuing trek to Oklahoma. Ellijay (sometimes formerly spelled "Elejoy") is the anglicized form or transliteration of the Cherokee name Elatseyi , meaning "new ground". Other sources say it means "green place". Gilmer County was organized by territory cut from Cherokee County in 1832, and Ellijay was designated as its county seat in 1834. It
1054-716: The Coosawattee River . The Coosawattee flows west as part of the Oostanaula / Coosa / Alabama River watershed. The county seat is bordered to the east and south by the city of East Ellijay . Ellijay lies within the Humid subtropical climate zone along with the majority of the rest of the southeastern United States. The highest elevations in the surrounding region reside in the Oceanic climate . Ellijay enjoys cool winters and warm summers, but neither would be considered extreme thanks to its slightly higher elevation than other areas in
1116-859: The Secretary of State , directed US Marshals to collect data from all 13 original states, and from the Southwest Territory . The census was not conducted in Vermont until 1791, after that state's admission to the Union as the 14th state on March 4 of that year. Some doubt surrounded the numbers, as President George Washington and Thomas Jefferson maintained the population was undercounted. The potential reasons Washington and Jefferson may have thought this could be refusal to participate, poor public transportation and roads, spread-out population, and restraints of current technology. No microdata from
1178-476: The US Constitution and applicable laws. The law required that every household be visited, that completed census schedules be posted in two of the most public places within each jurisdiction, remain for the inspection of all concerned, and that "the aggregate amount of each description of persons" for every district be transmitted to the president . The US Marshals were also responsible for governing
1240-569: The census of 2000, there were 23,456 people, 9,071 households, and 6,694 families living in the county. Estimates now put the population closer to 40,000 people. The population density was 55 people per square mile (21 people/km ). There were 11,924 housing units at an average density of 28 units per square mile (11 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 93.63% White , 0.27% Black or African American , 0.46% Native American , 0.23% Asian , 0.26% Pacific Islander , 3.76% from other races , and 1.39% from two or more races. 7.74% of
1302-501: The poverty line , including 27.3% of those under age 18 and 31.7% of those age 65 or over. Ellijay is governed by a five-member city council and a mayor. The current mayor is William Albert "Al" Hoyle. The Gilmer County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. There is also Crossroads, which is the alternative school in Ellijay. Dalton State College Appalachian Campus - Gilmer County Center This
SECTION 20
#17327972608541364-417: The "Color or Race" question was slightly modified, removing the term "Mulatto". Also, there was an inclusion of an "Indian Population Schedule" in which "enumerators were instructed to use a special expanded questionnaire for American Indians living on reservations or in family groups off of reservations." This expanded version included the question "Fraction of person's lineage that is white." The 1910 census
1426-532: The 1790 population census are available, but aggregate data for small areas and their compatible cartographic boundary files, can be downloaded from the National Historical Geographic Information System . However, the categories of "Free white males" of 16 years and upward, including heads of families under 16 years, "Free white females", including heads of families, All other free persons, and "Slaves," existed in
1488-414: The 2000 and 2010 censuses. The following questions were asked of a sample of respondents for the 1990 census : The 1990 census was not designed to capture multiple racial responses, and when individuals marked the "other" race option and provided a multiple write-in. The response was assigned according to the race written first. "For example, a write-in of 'black-white' was assigned a code of 'black,' while
1550-573: The Board of Commissioners include J.C. Sanford (2011-2014), Mark Chastain (2009–2010), Jerry Farist (2005–2008), and Rayburn Smith (1997–2004). Merle Howell served as the first chairman of the three-member board starting on January 1, 1996. She was recalled by the voters of Gilmer County, who elected Rayburn Smith in July 1997. Up until 1988, Gilmer County was governed by a sole commissioner. Cicero Logan served as commissioner from 1946 until 1959. Harold Hefner
1612-519: The OMB built on the 1997 guidelines and suggested the addition of a Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) racial category and considered combining racial and ethnic categories into one question. In March 2024, the Office of Management and Budget published revisions to Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity that included
1674-405: The OMB issued a Federal Register notice regarding revisions to the standards for the classification of federal data on race and ethnicity. The OMB developed race and ethnic standards in order to provide "consistent data on race and ethnicity throughout the federal government ". The development of the data standards stem in large measure from new responsibilities to enforce civil rights laws. Among
1736-418: The census form. In 1800 and 1810, the age question regarding free white males was more detailed with five cohorts and included All other free persons, except "Indians not taxed", and "Slaves". The 1820 census built on the questions asked in 1810 by asking age questions about slaves. Also the term "colored" entered the census nomenclature. In addition, a question stating "Number of foreigners not naturalized"
1798-418: The census. About one-third of the original census data has been lost or destroyed since documentation. The data was lost in 1790–1830, and included data from Connecticut , Delaware , Georgia , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New York , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , South Carolina , Vermont , and Virginia . However, the census was proven factual and
1860-483: The changes, The OMB issued the instruction to "mark one or more races" after noting evidence of increasing numbers of mixed-race children and wanting to record diversity in a measurable way after having received requests by people who wanted to be able to acknowledge theirs and their children's full ancestry, rather than identifying with only one group. Prior to this decision, the census and other government data collections asked people to report singular races. As of 2023,
1922-402: The city was 81.25% White , 1.39% African American , 0.00% Native American , 1.70% Asian , 0.57% Pacific Islander , 12.50% from other races , and 2.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.19% of the population. There were 593 households, out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1% were married couples living together, 16.5% had
Ellijay, Georgia - Misplaced Pages Continue
1984-503: The county's economic output. Manufacturing generates $ 351.4 million, or 20.6%. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 431 square miles (1,120 km ), of which 427 square miles (1,110 km ) is land and 4.7 square miles (12 km ) (1.1%) is water. The county is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains . The vast majority of Gilmer County is located in the Coosawattee River sub-basin in
2046-593: The county. As of the 2010 United States Census , there were 28,292 people, 11,314 households, and 8,000 families living in the county. The population density was 66.3 inhabitants per square mile (25.6/km ). There were 16,564 housing units at an average density of 38.8 units per square mile (15.0 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 92.3% white, 0.5% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 5.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race, made up 9.5% of
2108-842: The dam producing Carters Lake . It was adapted as a 1972 thriller movie of the same name. It was filmed further north in the state, in Rabun County . 34°41′N 84°28′W / 34.69°N 84.46°W / 34.69; -84.46 Asian (U.S. Census) In the United States census , the US Census Bureau and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) define a set of self-identified categories of race and ethnicity chosen by residents, with which they most closely identify. Residents can indicate their origins alongside their race, and are asked specifically whether they are of Hispanic or Latino origin in
2170-657: The decision and make sure the federal government treated Hispanics as white. The State Department, the Census Bureau, the Labor Department, and other government agencies therefore made sure to uniformly classify people of Mexican descent as white. This policy encouraged the League of United Latin American Citizens in its quest to minimize discrimination by asserting their whiteness. The 1940 census
2232-536: The design of the population questionnaire. Residents were still listed individually, but a new questionnaire sheet was used for each family. Additionally, this was the first year that the census distinguished among different Asian ethnic groups, such as Japanese and Chinese , due to increased immigration. This census also marked the beginning of the term "race" in the questionnaires. Enumerators were instructed to write "White", "Black", "Mulatto", " Quadroon ", "Octoroon", "Chinese", "Japanese", or " Indian ". During 1900,
2294-456: The existence of most of this data can be confirmed in many secondary sources pertaining to the first census. Census data included the name of the head of the family and categorized inhabitants as: free white males at least 16 years of age (to assess the country's industrial and military potential), free white males under 16 years of age, free white females, all other free persons (reported by sex and color), and slaves . Thomas Jefferson , then
2356-487: The free inhabitants schedule about color was a column that was to be left blank if a person were white, marked "B" if a person were black, and marked "M" if a person were mulatto . Slaves were listed by owner, and classified by gender and age, not individually, and the question about color was a column that was to be marked with a "B" if the slave were black and an "M" if mulatto. For 1890, the Census Office changed
2418-538: The mountains and whitewater kayaking . This area was long settled by cultures of indigenous peoples. It was known as part of the historic homeland of the Cherokee people until the US government's policy of ethnic cleansing of Native Americans from the Southern States saw them forcibly displaced to Oklahoma in 1838. They had a village here, at the confluence of the Ellijay and Cartecay rivers, which together form
2480-640: The nearest NOAA reporting station in Jasper, Georgia. As of the 2020 United States Census , there were 1,862 people, 844 households, and 520 families residing in the city. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,584 people, 593 households, and 342 families residing in the city. The population density was 591.7 inhabitants per square mile (228.5/km). There were 662 housing units at an average density of 247.3 units per square mile (95.5 units/km). There were 662 housing units at an average density of 247.3 units per square mile (95.5 units/km). The racial makeup of
2542-440: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 9,071 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.10% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 22.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
Ellijay, Georgia - Misplaced Pages Continue
2604-681: The population who may not be receiving medical services under the Public Health Service Act ; evaluating whether financial institutions are meeting the credit needs of minority populations under the Community Reinvestment Act ). The 1790 United States census was the first census in the history of the United States. The population of the United States was recorded as 3,929,214 as of Census Day, August 2, 1790, as mandated by Article I, Section 2 of
2666-464: The population. In terms of ancestry, non-Hispanic people identified as 18.7% being Irish , 17.3% American , 16.3% of English ancestry, and 13.4% were German . Of the 11,314 households, 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.3% were non-families, and 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size
2728-468: The post-Civil War period, it had a competitive Republican party. At the turn of the 20th century, the disfranchisement of most blacks in Georgia resulted in the state's white conservatives voting mostly for Democratic candidates at the state and national level. In contrast, these northern Georgia counties voted for Republican presidential candidates in several early 20th-century elections. Gilmer County
2790-451: The race of interracial persons. A person with both white and black ancestry (termed "blood") was to be recorded as "Negro", no matter the fraction of that lineage (the " one-drop rule "). A person of mixed black and American Indian ancestry was also to be recorded as "Neg" (for "Negro") unless they were considered to be "predominantly" American Indian and accepted as such within the community. A person with both white and American Indian ancestry
2852-511: The racial question, and also removed Hindu and Korean from the race choices. The 1960 census re-added the word "color" to the racial question, and changed "Indian" to "American Indian", as well as adding Hawaiian, Part-Hawaiian, Aleut, and Eskimo. The "Other (print out race)" option was removed. This year's census included "Negro or Black", re-added Korean and the Other race option. East Indians (the term used at that time for people whose ancestry
2914-417: The rivers in the area. Farming is still important, although, by 2002, the amount of land in the county devoted to agriculture had declined to 24.7 thousand acres. Most farms are sized at 10-49 acres, or 50-179 acres. Poultry raising and processing make up the largest portion of the agricultural economy. Agriculture and directly related businesses, such as landscape services, generate $ 565.1 million, or 33.2% of
2976-463: The south. Winter snowfall is common, but generally on the lighter side. There are a few exceptions, one being the 1993 Storm of the Century which dropped 17 inches of snow in Ellijay. Summers are warm, though mild for southern standards, with temperatures topping out in the mid 80s during the summer months. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year averaging 57.97 inches per year, as reported from
3038-427: The term "color" was removed from the racial question, and the following questions were asked of a sample of respondents: Questions on Spanish or Hispanic Origin or Descent Is this person of Spanish/Hispanic origin or descent? No, not Spanish/Hispanic Yes, Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano Yes, Puerto Rican Yes, Cuban Yes, other Spanish/Hispanic The racial categories in this year are as they appear in
3100-467: Was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age was 43.4 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 36,741 and the median income for a family was $ 45,317. Males had a median income of $ 32,177 versus $ 27,288 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 20,439. About 12.4% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over. As of
3162-402: Was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.96. In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 103.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.30 males. The median income for
SECTION 50
#17327972608543224-408: Was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 22,120, and the median income for a family was $ 36,250. Males had a median income of $ 21,875 versus $ 20,469 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 13,740. About 20.3% of families and 27.5% of the population were below
3286-518: Was a fairly isolated and remote mountain community until the late nineteenth century. After the Marietta and Northern Georgia Railroad (later the Louisville and Nashville Railroad ) was constructed through here in 1884, the railroad stimulated a boom in the timber industry by providing a profitable way to get lumber to markets. Many timber companies came into the area with their workers. More than
3348-443: Was back, but in abbreviated form. It featured a question asking if the person was of full or mixed American Indian ancestry. President Franklin D. Roosevelt promoted a Good Neighbor policy that sought better relations with Mexico. In 1935, a federal judge ruled that three Mexican immigrants were ineligible for citizenship because they were not white, as required by federal law. Mexico protested, and Roosevelt decided to circumvent
3410-678: Was elected in 1958 and served from 1959 until 1972. Gilmer County's last sole commissioner was Benjamin N. Whitaker who served from 1973 until 1988. In 1988, Gilmer County changed to a five-member board of commissioners who then hired a “county manager” to run day-to-day operations of the county. The first five-member board included Mack Logan, Ruel Reece, Garvin Davis Jr., John Penland, and Charles Aaron. Jim Bailey served as county manager. The voters of Gilmer, like neighboring Rabun, Towns, Pickens and Fannin counties, were different in their historic partisan preferences from other parts of Georgia. Since
3472-423: Was included. In the 1830 census, a new question, which stated, "The number of White persons who were foreigners not naturalized" was included. The 1850 census had a dramatic shift in the way information about residents was collected. For the first time, free persons were listed individually instead of by head of household. Two questionnaires were used - one for free inhabitants and one for slaves. The question on
3534-514: Was organized as Georgia started to encroach on Cherokee territory. Ellijay was designated as the county seat in 1834. On January 12, 1854, parts of Gilmer County as well as parts of neighboring Union County were taken to form the newly created Fannin County, Georgia . This is still a primarily rural county, with agriculture and forests supporting the economy. It also has a growing tourist sector, some based on whitewater kayaking and canoeing on
3596-410: Was part of the homeland of the Cherokee . They had a village, Elatseyi , meaning "new ground". Other sources say it means "green place". It was sometimes spelled "Elejoy" on 18th century colonial maps. It was located at the confluence of the Ellijay and Cartecay rivers, which create the Coosawattee River . The later European-American town of Ellijay developed at this site. In 1832, Gilmer County
3658-421: Was similar to 1910, but excluded a separate schedule for American Indians. "Hin", "Kor", and "Fil" were also added to the "Color or Race" question, signifying Hindu (Asian Indian), Korean, and Filipino, respectively. The biggest change in this census was in racial classification. Enumerators were instructed to no longer use the "Mulatto" classification. Instead, they were given special instructions for reporting
3720-538: Was similar to that of 1900, but it included a reinsertion of "Mulatto" and a question about the "mother tongue" of foreign-born individuals and individuals with foreign-born parents. "Ot" was also added to signify "other races", with space for a race to be written in. This decade's version of the Indian Population Schedule featured questions asking the individual's proportion of white, black, or American Indian lineage. The 1920 census questionnaire
3782-415: Was the first to include separate population and housing questionnaires. The race category of "Mexican" was eliminated in 1940, and the population of Mexican descent was counted with the white population. 1940 census data was used for Japanese American internment . The Census Bureau's role was denied for decades, but was finally proven in 2007. The 1950 census questionnaire removed the word "color" from
SECTION 60
#17327972608543844-410: Was to be recorded as American Indian, unless their Indigenous ancestry was small, and they were accepted as white within the community. In all situations in which a person had white and some other racial ancestry, they were to be reported as that other race. People who had minority interracial ancestry were to be reported as the race of their father. For the first and only time, "Mexican" was listed as
#853146