Where Ellijay is
- Ellijay is the county seat of Gilmer County. Its sister city, East Ellijay, sits next to it but is a separate city. New Georgia Encyclopedia, Ellijay (last modified June 29, 2022)
- Ellijay is at the junction of Georgia 515, Georgia 52 and U.S. 76. New Georgia Encyclopedia, Ellijay (last modified June 29, 2022)
- The New Georgia Encyclopedia places Ellijay 75 miles north of Atlanta. New Georgia Encyclopedia, Ellijay (last modified June 29, 2022)
- The Zell Miller Mountain Parkway (Georgia 515) was completed in 1991, giving easier access from metro Atlanta. New Georgia Encyclopedia, Ellijay (last modified June 29, 2022)
- Ellijay sits where the Ellijay and Cartecay rivers join to form the Coosawattee River. City of Ellijay, Historic Ellijay
By the numbers
- The 2020 Census counted 1,862 people in the city of Ellijay. U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census Redistricting Data, Table P1 (Ellijay city, Georgia)
- The 2020 Census counted 650 people in the city of East Ellijay. U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census Redistricting Data, Table P1 (East Ellijay city, Georgia)
- The 2020 Census counted 31,353 people in Gilmer County, up from 28,292 in 2010 according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia. U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census Redistricting Data, Table P1 (Gilmer County, Georgia); New Georgia Encyclopedia, Gilmer County
- The 2020 Census counted 17,717 housing units in Gilmer County. Of those, 12,832 were occupied and 4,885 were vacant; 3,336 of the vacant units were held for seasonal, recreational or occasional use. U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census Redistricting Data Table H1 and 2020 Census DHC Table H5 (Gilmer County, Georgia)
- Gilmer County covers 427 square miles. Its only incorporated cities are Ellijay and East Ellijay. New Georgia Encyclopedia, Gilmer County (last modified July 6, 2022)
Schools
- The county's public school district is Gilmer County Schools, overseen by the Gilmer County Board of Education. Its website lists schools including Ellijay Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, Clear Creek Elementary, Clear Creek Middle and Gilmer High School. Gilmer County Schools, Home
Apple country, all year
- The Georgia Department of Agriculture says Ellijay, in Gilmer County, is known as the Apple Capital of Georgia and is home to over nine family-owned apple orchards. Georgia Department of Agriculture press release (Sept. 1, 2026), Georgia Grown Apple Season
- The New Georgia Encyclopedia says Ellijay has become a hub for visitors and for a growing number of second-home owners. New Georgia Encyclopedia, Ellijay (last modified June 29, 2022)
- The restored 1870 Tabor House holds the Gilmer County History Museum, with exhibits on Cherokee, Civil War and mountain history. The city lists admission as free. City of Ellijay, Historic Preservation
Homes for sale around Ellijay
Gold Peach Realty listings
Homes for sale around Ellijay
Current listings from Gold Peach Realty, the North Georgia brokerage behind this guide. Photos, prices and details come straight from the MLS.
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Search homes around EllijayListings open on goldpeachrealty.com, the website of our brokerage, Gold Peach Realty. Listing information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Gold Peach Realty, the North Georgia brokerage behind this guide, shows these homes. Call (770) 283-1223 or use the contact form.
For real estate agents
This guide is one of several North Georgia community websites published by Gold Peach Realty. Readers who ask these guides about buying or selling a home are put in touch with the brokerage. If you are a licensed agent and want to work with Gold Peach Realty in North Georgia, call (770) 283-1223 or send a note through the contact form and ask about joining.
Looking at cabins in particular? Our sister guide Ellijay Cabins for Sale covers them.
Questions
How far is Ellijay from Atlanta?
The New Georgia Encyclopedia places Ellijay 75 miles north of Atlanta. Ellijay sits at the junction of Georgia 515, Georgia 52 and U.S. 76, and Georgia 515, the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway, was completed in 1991, making the trip from metro Atlanta easier. On festival weekends, the Chamber warns that traffic patterns can change.
Source: New Georgia Encyclopedia, Ellijay; Gilmer County Chamber, Festival Parking
What is the population of Ellijay, Georgia?
The 2020 Census counted 1,862 people in the city of Ellijay and 650 in neighboring East Ellijay, which is a separate city. Gilmer County as a whole had 31,353 residents in 2020, up from 28,292 in 2010, according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia. Ellijay is the Gilmer County seat.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census Table P1; New Georgia Encyclopedia, Gilmer County
What school district serves Ellijay?
Gilmer County Schools, overseen by the Gilmer County Board of Education, is the county's public school district. Its website lists schools including Ellijay Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, Clear Creek Elementary, Clear Creek Middle and Gilmer High School. In fall 2026 the board was searching for a new superintendent.
Source: Gilmer County Schools, Home
Are there many second homes in Gilmer County?
The 2020 Census counted 17,717 housing units in Gilmer County. Of those, 4,885 were vacant, and 3,336 of the vacant units were held for seasonal, recreational or occasional use. The New Georgia Encyclopedia says Ellijay has become a hub for visitors and for a growing number of second-home owners.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census Tables H1 and H5 (Gilmer County); New Georgia Encyclopedia, Ellijay
What is the history of the downtown Ellijay square?
Downtown Ellijay grew around a public square laid out in 1833. The City of Ellijay says all the buildings on the square were brick by 1900, a 1912 fire destroyed 23 buildings, and the old courthouse in the center of the square was later removed and replaced with a park. The current courthouse was built to resemble the old one.
Is Ellijay the county seat of Gilmer County?
Yes. Ellijay was incorporated on Dec. 29, 1834, and designated the county seat of Gilmer County, which was formed in 1832. East Ellijay, next door, is the county's only other incorporated city. Ellijay sits where the Ellijay and Cartecay rivers join to form the Coosawattee River.
Source: City of Ellijay, Historic Ellijay; New Georgia Encyclopedia, Gilmer County
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organizers have the final word: Georgia Apple Festival (official site)
