City profile · Georgia · Census ACS 2023

Ellijay, GA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Ellijay - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,931
Residents
$47,639
Median income
$277,600
Median home
$1,036
Median rent (state)

Ellijay - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Ellijay lands in the 16th percentile for household income and the 47th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

16th
percentile, household income
61st
percentile, home value
23rd
percentile, median rent
47th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Ellijay, GA

1,931 people live in Ellijay, Georgia - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $47,639 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 13.7%. Typical homes in Ellijay are valued around $277,600, and the median resident age is 40.4 years. Educational attainment runs 18.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 47.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 14 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 75% from five years earlier. Ellijay reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1466.2 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Georgia run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Georgia at 96.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,036 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Georgia's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). The average commute for Ellijay workers runs 26.8 minutes, with 62.0% driving alone and 5.3% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 68.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

1,931 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Georgia

Median Household Income

$47,639 /yr

Poverty 13.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Georgia average

How does Ellijay compare to other US cities?

Here's how Ellijay stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 16% higher than other cities
Home value 61% pricier than other cities
Median rent 23% pricier than other cities
Safety 47% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Georgia and the picture shifts: Ellijay ranks #68 of 165 Georgia cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Ellijay's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Georgia, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

16thIncome percentile
47thSafety percentile

16th percentile nationally for median household income · 47th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Ellijay's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Ellijay's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 40 Avg. percentile National median
Ellijay's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Ellijay's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$277,600 39th percentile more affordable than 39% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Ellijay $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Ellijay, GA Ellijay, GA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ellijay, GA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Ellijay, GA median $47,639/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Ellijay, GA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Ellijay, GA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,931
Median Income
$47,639
Median Home Value
$277,600
Median Age
40.4
Poverty Rate
13.7%
Labor force participation
47.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1466.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
151.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1314.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,800 residents1,900 residents2,000 residents2,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,839 residents 2,008 residents ▲ +9.2%
Ellijay's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
14
housing units authorized
Single-Family
14
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
7.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 8
2020 9
2021 15
2022 17
2023 6
2024 14

Permit volume increased 75% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
26.8 minutes
Drive Alone
62.0%
Carpool
32.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
5.3%

Based on 682 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Georgia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$125
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Georgia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Georgia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Ellijay sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,036/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
68.1 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Georgia

Comer
1,928 people
Isle of Hope
1,945 people
Oxford
1,945 people
Butler
1,916 people
Hamilton
1,911 people
Indian Springs
1,951 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ellijay's 1,931 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Scenic, AZ
1,931 people
Hart, MI
1,931 people
Lake Isabella, MI
1,931 people
Middleport, NY
1,931 people
Cave City, AR
1,930 people
Dover, AR
1,932 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ellijay's $47,639 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mount Calm, TX
$47,639 median income
Du Quoin, IL
$47,632 median income
Norway, SC
$47,632 median income
Dexter, MO
$47,647 median income
Gregory, SD
$47,629 median income
Autaugaville, AL
$47,652 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ellijay, GA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Ellijay, GA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 71.6% 12.8% 9.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 24.8% White 71.6% Black or African American 1.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 12.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 9.2% Two or more races 5.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Ellijay compares to nearby Georgia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Ellijay (this city) 1,931 $47,639
Comer 1,928 $45,284
Isle of Hope 1,945 $101,316
Oxford 1,945 $58,594
Census ACS 5-year FIPS GA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ellijay, GA?

What is the population of Ellijay, GA? +

Ellijay, GA has a population of 1,931 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Ellijay, GA? +

Ellijay households earn a median of $47,639 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ellijay? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Ellijay; the closest available measure is the Georgia state average, a cost of living index of 96.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Georgia vary by metro area.

Is Ellijay, GA safe? +

Ellijay has a total crime rate of 1466.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Ellijay, GA? +

Homes in Ellijay carry a median value of $277,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.