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Pickens County
Overview:
Welcome to a wonderful place we're proud to call home - Pickens County, Georgia, where you'll
experience a unique quality of life. Here you will enjoy our unhurried lifestyle where beautiful
mountains meet lush, green pastures, brooks, and streams abide with mother nature in our "quiet world"
and reflect on the good life on a daily basis. Our quality of life is exceptional and we boast
progressive schools, abundant recreational amenities, caring churches, and concerned citizens.
Steady, controlled growth is occurring without sacrificing the beauty and tranquility of this
truly special place in North Georgia.
Relax and enjoy your stay in Pickens County, and please let us know if we can be of service.
History:
This area of northwest Georgia was inhabited largely by Native Americans until 1540. After DeSoto's
arrival, Europeans flocked to the area. The French were the first to arrive, followed by the English
in 1629.
James Oglethorpe organized a settlement, and in 1773 the territory was named Georgia, after King George II.
Pickens County was officially created in 1853. It was named after General Andrew Pickens. The city
of Jasper was named after Sergeant William Jasper. Both of these men were Revolutionary War heroes.
Native Americans mined both marble and quartz in this area at least 5000 years ago. By the early
1900's, the marble quarries were in operation under the direction of Colonel Sam Tate. Marble
continues to play an important role in the economic profile of Pickens County.
Pickens County is comprised of a number of close-knit communities scattered throughout the hills,
valleys, streams and hollows of the area. The towns of Talking Rock, Tate, Marble Hill, Hinton,
Blaine, Ludville, Nelson and Jasper each have their own identifiable story. Come visit Pickens
County and experience all that we have to offer!
County Profile:
Population
Pickens County - 2004 Estimate 27,771
2000 Census 22,983
% Change Population 1990 to 2000 59.3%
Georgia - 2004 Estimate 8,829,383
2000 Census 8,186,4536
% Change Population 1990 to 2000 26.4%
Predictions
2005 Forecast 29,555
2010 Forecast 36,542
2020 Forecast 54,858
Average Household Income $41,387.00
Education
Number of 2004 Graduates 204
Average SAT Score - Pickens County (2003) 1018
Average SAT Score - Georgia (2003) 984
Age Distribution
18 - 24 7.7%
25 - 44 29.8%
45 - 64 25.8%
65 & Up 13.2%
Housing
Housing Units, 2002 11,616
Homeownership Rate, 2000 82.1%
Labor
Labor Force (May 2004) 12,869
Unemployment Rate (May 2004) 2.8%
Tax Information
Millage Rate - Pickens County 21.55
Millage Rate - Bartow County 25.45
Millage Rate - Cherokee County 28.09
Millage Rate - Cobb County 30.02
State Tax Rate 6%
Quality of Life
Total Index Crime Rate - Pickens County 11.40 (per 1000)
Total Index Crime Rate - Gilmer County 11.04
Total Index Crime Rate - Murray County 23.42
Total Index Crime Rate - Whitfield County 34.64
Total Index Crime Rate - Georgia 40.47
Sources:
Georgia Department of Labor
GBI & FBI websites
NGRDC
National Decision Systems
Cities & Towns:
The City of Jasper is the county seat and site of government offices. The county government is headed by a sole commissioner, who is elected to the position. The local government operates an excellent recreational department with several ball fields and a swimming pool. Pickens County Government also operates a Level I public airport. The city of Jasper employs a police chief, full-time patrolmen and paid firemen. Regular fire department employees are backed by volunteers who are on call to assist if needed. County residents who are not on the city water line are served by well-organized volunteer fire departments. These are located throughout the communities and are on call 24-hours a day.
Outside the city limits, police protection is provided by the Sheriff's Department which employs several deputies, investigators and other public safety personnel. The sheriff is an elected position in Pickens County. To further ensure the safety and well-being of citizens, there is countywide 911 service, and ambulance service maintained by a trained team of EMT's.
Talking Rock, Holcomb, Nelson, Tate, Ludville, Big Canoe
Contact Information:
(This can include county website, main office address and phone number.)
Chamber of Commerce Links
Georgia Chamber of Commerce
US Chamber of Commerce
Family/Kids
Discovery Channel Online
Disney
Homework Helper
First Gov for Kids
Bonus.com
Whitehouse for Kids
Nick Jr.
Kids.com
123 Kids Area
The Wild World of Wonka
4Kids.org
KidsCom
Cartoon Network
News
CNN
USA Today
Fox News
11 Alive.com
Action News 2
Fox 5
Pickens County Progress
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Weather Channel
Radio
WNSY/Sunny 100-FM
WLJA 93.5 FM
WYYZ
Sports
ESPN
NASCAR
Travel
Fodors
Travelocity
City Guides
Entertainment
TV Guide
Moviefone
Shopping
Amazon
Price Watch
Virtual Presents
Employment
Monster.com
CareerBuilder.com
Dice.com
Office Supplies
Quill.com
Staples
Pickens County
SeekOn
Keep Pickens Beautiful
Pickens County Online
Pickens Animal Rescue
Marble Valley Historical Society
PickensToday
KnowPickens.com
Around Georgia
Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter
Other
Classmates.com
Top Wedding Sites
Area Attractions:
Jasper - The County Seat
o The Old Pickens County Jail - This historic building boasts a marbled front with hanging gallows. Built in 1906 and used until 1982, the Old Pickens County Jail is on the National Register of Historic Places. Open weekends from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm except December, January and Easter Sunday. Located at 201 North Main Street. 706-268-3311
o Quinton-Kirby Cabin - Next to the Old Jail, this cabin was built by Stephen and Mary Ann Kirby in the 1860's. The cabin is furnished with 19th century furnishings and household tools. Open weekends from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm except December, January and Easter Sunday.
o Oglethorpe Monument - Dedicated in 1930 by Colonel Sam Tate to James Edward Oglethorpe, the founder of the Georgia Colony. Originally located atop Oglethorpe Mountain in Pickens County, the monument was in ruins by the late 1990's. Refurbished by world-renowned sculptor Eino, the monument now stands across from the Old Jail on Main Street in downtown Jasper.
o Sharptop Arts Center - Built in the mid 1930's, the Arts Center now houses a gallery, art classes and event space. Located at 68 D.B. Carroll Street, 706-692-0101.
Nelson
o Pickens County Marble Museum - Take a self-guided tour of the history of marble in Georgia. This museum is open year-round. View a 15 minute video and learn about the "white gold of Georgia." Museum is located at the Nelson City Hall.
Talking Rock
o Talking Rock - A quaint small city which flourished in the late 1800's, it now features stores, gift and antique shops. The Talking Rock Festival is held the 3rd weekend in October, 706-253-3581. The Talking Rock Schoolhouse Teaching Museum reflects the history, education and culture of early Appalachian residents. Interpretative experiences allow visitors to live as students in a pre-1900 rural school. Call 770-893-4032 for tours.
Tate
o Tate House Mansion - One of Georgia's historic treasures, the Tate House was built in 1926 by Colonel Sam Tate and constructed from pink etowah marble mined from the Georgia Marble Quarry. The house has been restored to its original grandeur, featuring marble floors, fountains, baths and fireplaces. Formal landscaped gardens with marble walkways surround the grounds. Lodging available. Reservation only, no walk-ins. Cal 770-735-3122 or visit www.tatehouse.com for more information.
Fairs and Festivals
o Fourth of July Celebration - Sponsored by the Jasper Lions Club, this festive celebration offers carnival rides and a fireworks extravaganza in Jasper at Lee Newton Memorial Park. July 4 every year.
o Georgia Marble Festival - During the first full weekend in October, Jasper, Georgia and the entire Marble Valley of Pickens County host the Annual Georgia Marble Festival. This full weekend of celebration gets off to a fast start with the Marble Festival Road Race on Saturday morning, followed by the Festival Parade down Jasper's Main Street.
The entire family will enjoy arts and crafts, live music, clogging and dancing, a classic car show and a children's area. Don't miss the opportunity to take a guided tour of the world's largest open pit marble quarry at the Georgia Marble Company's Tate operation. This is the only time of the year the quarries are open to the public! Learn about the multitude of uses for marble at the Calcium Products Division at Marble Hill. The parade starts at 10:30 am and Festival grounds open at 10:00 am. There are free shuttles and ample parking! See photos of past Georgia Marble Festivals here.
o Talking Rock Heritage Days - "Relive Bygone Days" in the charming town of Talking Rock on the third weekend of each October. Enjoy antique shopping, hayrides, food, music and arts and crafts, as well as see an antique caboose on display. This festival promises fun for the whole family. For more information, call 706-253-3581.
Recreation
Besides hiking the trails in the area, the gated resort communities of Bent Tree and Big Canoe offer recreational amenities including golf, tennis, swimming and horseback riding. Both communities have lakes for fishing and boating.
There are many recreational opportunities located in other nearby communities.
o Amicalola Falls State Park - located in neighboring Dawson County, this is the site of Georgia's highest, most breathtaking waterfalls. The park features campsites, a lodge, cabins, and picnic shelters. There are miles of hiking trails, including an eight-mile approach trail to the southern terminus of the famed Appalachian Trail. Nature programs are conducted on the weekends and visitors with a fishing license may fish for trout from the sparkling mountain streams.
o Carters Lake - located just 20 minutes from Jasper, Carters Lake is a secluded area where hikers, campers and water sports enthusiasts all come to enjoy their sport. A few miles north of the lake is Fort Mountain State Park. The park offers camping facilities along with miles of challenging hiking trails.
o Lake Allatoona - just 30 minutes southwest of Jasper, it is popular with campers and boaters.
o Lake Lanier - about 45 minutes east of Jasper, it offers a large range of activities and lodging from camping to first class hotels.
o Mountain Hiking - The Appalachian Trail is the longest and most famous hiking trail in the world, reaching officially from Maine to Springer Mountain in northern Georgia, but the mountains themselves continue to the southwest - the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Visit www.mountainstewards.org for more information
Utilities:
Telephone
Alltel
706-692-4456
ETC (Ellijay Telephone Company)
706-253-2271
TDS-Telecom
770-735-2000
Electric Service
Georgia Power
888-660-5890
Amicalola EMC
706-253-5200
Water/Sewer Service
City of Jasper 706-692-9100
County Water 706-253-8718
Cable Television/Satellite/DSL/Internet Service
Alltel
706-692-4456
ETC (Ellijay Telephone Company)
706-253-2271
TDS-Telecom
770-735-2000
Sanitation Services
Contact Local City Hall or Chamber Members Here
Gas Service
Atlanta Gas Light
888-442-7489
Georgia Natural Gas
800-427-5463
Quick Facts:
Geography
The Appalachian Mountains, the oldest mountain range in the world, begin in Pickens County. Hikers can find some of the best general purpose trails in the state. Those who prefer to drive will enjoy magnificent fall foliage and beautiful vistas. Burnt Mountain is about 10 miles north of Jasper, and is a favorite destination for many. From here you can sometimes view the Atlanta skyline.
Agriculture
While Pickens County is officially classified as a rural, non-agricultural community, many people in the area depend on various types of farming.
You will see occasional poultry farms, as well as horses and cattle. The largest source of agricultural income is timber. Large forests are carefully managed to produce an ongoing supply of lumber.
Industry
Marble is the area's most notable natural resource. In fact, 60% of the monuments in our nation's capital are made with Georgia marble. First discovered in 1836, the vein of marble running under Pickens County has been successfully quarried since the turn of the century. The area has a large mix of industries manufacturing products such as apparel, sheet metal, rubber and timber products, calcium products, upholstery and much more!
Education
Pickens County's diverse academic offerings are proof that living in a rural community does not mean sacrificing educational advantages. A strong public school system, premier vocational-technical institute and a four-year liberal arts college are all readily available to Pickens County residents. It is no mere coincidence that the county who pioneered the first Head Start program in the United States continues to explore new ways to best prepare young people for productive and successful lives.
All of Pickens County's elementary schools participate in the "Reading First" instructional program grants. Our elementary schools provide an exciting array of programs that support success in all areas. The middle schools provide the core academic courses in a team-teaching approach, plus a variety of exploratory courses and an extensive sports program. Students in grades K-8 began receiving "Second Step" violence prevention training in the fall of 1999. After-school programs are offered for all students in grades K-8.
Pickens High School moved into its new complex in 1998. The variety of programs at Pickens High School, ranging from vocational to college preparatory, enables students to fare well at colleges and post-secondary institutions across the nation. The average SAT scores of seniors and the extraordinarily high percentage of students who pass the Georgia High School Graduation Test on the first attempt are some of the factors of the school's outstanding program that led U.S. News & World Report to identify it in January 1999 as a "High Achieving" school.
Pickens County opened the doors to Hill City Elementary School in the fall of 2002, for a total of three elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Plans are in the works to add a fourth elementary school.
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