Blue Ridge, Georgia

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement  | official_name = Blue Ridge, Georgia | native_name =  | nickname = | settlement_type = [[City]] | motto =  | image_skyline = Blue Ridge City Hall - panoramio.jpg | imagesize = | image_caption = City hall | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_seal = Seal of Blue Ridge, Georgia.png | seal_size = | image_shield = | shield_size = | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_type = | blank_emblem_size = | image_map = Fannin_County_Georgia_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Blue_Ridge_Highlighted.svg | mapsize = 250px | map_caption = Location in [[Fannin County, Georgia|Fannin County]] and the state of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] | image_map1 = | mapsize1 = | map_caption1 = | image_dot_map = | pushpin_map =  | pushpin_label_position =  | pushpin_map_caption = | pushpin_mapsize =  | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = United States | subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] | subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Georgia (U.S. state)|County]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Fannin County, Georgia|Fannin]] | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 =  | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title1 =  | leader_name1 = | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | established_title =  | established_date = | established_title2 =  | established_date2 = | established_title3 =  | established_date3 =  | area_magnitude = | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_13.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=December 18, 2021}}</ref> | area_total_km2 = 6.93 | area_land_km2 = 6.93 | area_water_km2 = 0.00 | area_total_sq_mi = 2.68 | area_land_sq_mi = 2.68 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.00 | area_water_percent = | area_urban_km2 = | area_urban_sq_mi = | area_metro_km2 = | area_metro_sq_mi = | area_blank1_title = | area_blank1_km2 = | area_blank1_sq_mi =  | population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]] | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_total = 1253 | population_density_km2 = 180.73 | population_density_sq_mi = 468.06 | population_metro = | population_density_metro_km2 = | population_density_metro_sq_mi = | population_urban = | population_density_urban_km2 = | population_density_urban_sq_mi = | population_blank1_title = | population_blank1 = | population_density_blank1_km2 = | population_density_blank1_sq_mi =  | timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]] | utc_offset = -5 | timezone_DST = EDT | utc_offset_DST = -4 | coordinates = {{coord|34|52|6|N|84|19|16|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}} | elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> | elevation_m = 537 | elevation_ft = 1762  | postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]] | postal_code = 30513 | area_codes = [[Area codes 706 and 762|706/762]] | blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] | blank_info = 13-08928<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> | blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID | blank1_info = 0331197<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|331197}}</ref> | website = {{URL|www.cityofblueridgega.gov}} | footnotes = | pop_est_as_of = | pop_est_footnotes = | population_est = }} '''Blue Ridge''' is a city in [[Fannin County, Georgia]], United States. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the city had a population of 1,253. The city is the [[county seat]] of Fannin County and the largest city in the county.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref>

==History== Prior to [[Decolonization of the Americas]] (1770–1820), the area that is now Blue Ridge was inhabited by [[Cherokee]] and other Indigenous peoples.

Blue Ridge was laid out in 1886 when the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad was extended to that point.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.blueridgemountains.com/community/history/ | title=History | publisher=Town of Blue Ridge | access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref> It was incorporated in 1887 by colonel [[Mike McKinney (militiaman)|Mike McKinney]], who built the railroad.<ref name=McK>{{cite book | url=http://www.kenkrakow.com/gpn/b.pdf | title=Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins | publisher=Winship Press | author=Krakow, Kenneth K. | year=1975 | location=Macon, GA | pages=21 | isbn=0-915430-00-2}}</ref> In 1895, the seat of Fannin County was transferred to Blue Ridge from [[Morganton, Georgia|Morganton]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=REtEXQNWq6MC&pg=PA221 | title=Historical Gazetteer of the United States | publisher=Routledge | date=May 13, 2013 | access-date=30 November 2013 | author=Hellmann, Paul T. | pages=221| isbn=978-1135948597 }}</ref>

==Blue Ridge Scenic Railway== Blue Ridge is the home of the [[Blue Ridge Scenic Railway]], a restored railroad that features a four-hour, 26 mile roundtrip journey along the [[Toccoa River]] to the sister towns [[McCaysville, Georgia]], and [[Copperhill, Tennessee]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://brscenic.com| publisher=Blue Ridge Scenic Railway | access-date=26 February 2024}}</ref>

The original tracks started in [[Marietta, Georgia]], and reached Blue Ridge and the surrounding areas in 1886.{{citation needed|date=March 2026}}

==Geography== [[File:Downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia, in Fannin County at sunset 05.jpg|thumb|left|Downtown Blue Ridge]] [[File:Downtown_Blue_Ridge,_Georgia,_in_Fannin_County_at_sunset_02.jpg|thumb|Downtown Blue Ridge]] The city of Blue Ridge is located south of the center of Fannin County at {{coord|34|52|6|N|84|19|16|W|type:city}} (34.868344, -84.320991).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> The city sits on the divide between the [[Tennessee River]] watershed to the north (via the [[Toccoa River]]) and the [[Alabama River]] to the south (via Crooked Log Creek, the [[Ellijay River]], and several downstream rivers).

[[U.S. Route 76]] and [[Georgia State Route 515]] (Zell Miller Mountain Parkway) pass through the west side of the city, leading east {{convert|22|mi}} to [[Blairsville, Georgia|Blairsville]] and southwest {{convert|15|mi}} to [[Ellijay, Georgia|Ellijay]]. [[Georgia State Route 5]] leads north from Blue Ridge {{convert|10|mi}} to [[McCaysville, Georgia|McCaysville]] at the [[Tennessee]] line. [[Atlanta]] is {{convert|93|mi}} to the south via GA-5/515.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|6.2|km2|order=flip}}, all land.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1308928| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Blue Ridge city, Georgia| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American FactFinder| access-date=April 26, 2016| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213083419/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1308928| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Climate=== Blue Ridge, Georgia, is located within the southern Appalachian region, which forms part of the broader Appalachian temperate rainforest - an area characterized by relatively high annual precipitation and complex, variable weather patterns influenced by mountainous terrain.<ref>{{cite web |title=Appalachian Temperate Rainforest |url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/52195 |publisher=United States Forest Service |access-date=2026-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Climate of the Southeast U.S. |url=https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/19/ |publisher=U.S. Global Change Research Program |access-date=2026-04-11}}</ref>

During winter, localized climatic variation is common due to elevation differences; higher elevations in the southern Appalachians often receive measurable snowfall, while nearby lower elevations may experience little or no accumulation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Snowfall Patterns in the Southern Appalachians |url=https://www.weather.gov/mrx/winter |publisher=National Weather Service |access-date=2026-04-11}}</ref>

Spring, summer, and early autumn are typically marked by alternating periods of significant rainfall and relative dryness, reflecting the interaction of moist air masses with complex topography.<ref>{{cite web |title=Precipitation and Climate in the Appalachian Region |url=https://serc.carleton.edu/vignettes/collection/25209.html |publisher=Carleton College Science Education Resource Center |access-date=2026-04-11}}</ref> The mountainous terrain also contributes to an increased risk of flash flooding, as intense, short-duration rainfall events can exceed local drainage capacity, particularly in developed or low-lying areas.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flash Flooding in Mountainous Regions |url=https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-flash |publisher=National Weather Service |access-date=2026-04-11}}</ref>

On average, winter brings occasional minor snow events, though accumulation and frequency vary considerably depending on elevation and microclimatic conditions within the region.<ref>{{cite web |title=Climate Normals for North Georgia |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/ |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=2026-04-11}}</ref> {{Weather box  |collapsed= |open=  |single line= Y |location= Blue Ridge, Georgia

|temperature colour=    |Jan record high F=74 |Feb record high F=78 |Mar record high F=85 |Apr record high F=91 |May record high F=94 |Jun record high F=100 |Jul record high F=103 |Aug record high F=101 |Sep record high F=98 |Oct record high F=92 |Nov record high F=83 |Dec record high F=76 |year record high F=  |Jan high F=50 |Feb high F=54 |Mar high F=61 |Apr high F=71 |May high F=78 |Jun high F=84 |Jul high F=88 |Aug high F=87 |Sep high F=81 |Oct high F=72 |Nov high F=62 |Dec high F=52 |year high F=  |Jan mean F=38 |Feb mean F=41 |Mar mean F=48 |Apr mean F=56 |May mean F=64 |Jun mean F=71 |Jul mean F=76 |Aug mean F=75 |Sep mean F=68 |Oct mean F=57 |Nov mean F=48 |Dec mean F=40 |year mean F=  |Jan low F=26 |Feb low F=28 |Mar low F=34 |Apr low F=40 |May low F=49 |Jun low F=58 |Jul low F=63 |Aug low F=62 |Sep low F=54 |Oct low F=42 |Nov low F=34 |Dec low F=28 |year low F=   |Jan record low F=-16 |Feb record low F=-5 |Mar record low F=2 |Apr record low F=17 |May record low F=29 |Jun record low F=37 |Jul record low F=47 |Aug record low F=46 |Sep record low F=30 |Oct record low F=19 |Nov record low F=-1 |Dec record low F=-8 |year record low F=  |precipitation colour= |Jan precipitation inch=5.8 |Feb precipitation inch=5.5 |Mar precipitation inch=6.4 |Apr precipitation inch=4.9 |May precipitation inch=5.0 |Jun precipitation inch=4.6 |Jul precipitation inch=5.4 |Aug precipitation inch=4.8 |Sep precipitation inch=4.5 |Oct precipitation inch=3.3 |Nov precipitation inch=5.0 |Dec precipitation inch=5.0 |year precipitation inch=  |source 1= <ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/l/USGA0055:1:US|title= Average Monthly/Record Temperatures|publisher= [[The Weather Channel]]|access-date=6 September 2015 }}</ref> }}

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1890= 264 |1900= 1148 |1910= 898 |1920= 904 |1930= 1190 |1940= 1362 |1950= 1718 |1960= 1406 |1970= 1602 |1980= 1376 |1990= 1336 |2000= 1210 |2010= 1290 |2020= 1253 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> | align = right | align-fn = center }}

===2020 census=== As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], Blue Ridge had a population of 1,253. The median age was 48.7 years. 18.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 27.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.7 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=place%3A08928&in=state%3A13|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=May 1, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=place%3A08928&in=state%3A13|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=May 1, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 552 households in Blue Ridge, of which 22.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 33.0% were married-couple households, 23.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 37.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 41.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 688 housing units, of which 19.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 7.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.8%. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DP"/><ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=place%3A08928&in=state%3A13|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=May 1, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+Blue Ridge racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1308928&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-14|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> !Race !Num. !Perc. |- |[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic) |1,121 |89.47% |- |[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic) |9 |0.72% |- |[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] |4 |0.32% |- |[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] |13 |1.04% |- |[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]] |36 |2.87% |- |[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] |70 |5.59% |}

===2010 census=== As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 1,290 people residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 92.1% White, 1.2% Black, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.7% from some other race and 0.9% from two or more races. 4.5% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

===2000 census=== As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,210 people, 553 households, and 319 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|557.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 631 housing units at an average density of {{convert|290.6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.26% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.41% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.41% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.17% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.74% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.83% of the population.

There were 553 households, out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.3% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,214, and the median income for a family was $35,259. Males had a median income of $25,859 versus $17,941 for females.

The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,149. About 13.7% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.9% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over. ==Community and culture== The culture of Blue Ridge is deeply rooted in Appalachian mountain tradition. The downtown area has varied historic buildings, and regularly features local folk art, bluegrass music, and a holiday ice rink, Blue Ridge on Ice, next to the Farmer's Market.

The city promotes itself in media as the "Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cultural heritage Sites in Blue Ridge GA {{!}} Historic Downtown, Copper Basin, Upper Loop, Lower Trail & More |url=https://www.blueridgemountains.com/community/history/ |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=Blue Ridge, GA |language=en-US}}</ref>

In the late 2000s and continuing through the 2010s, the city has seen a surge in new business, particularly from the [[LGBT]] community which constitutes a larger percentage of the population than is typical for a rural community and one of the highest in Georgia.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Willis |first=Regina |date=October 2, 2018 |title=Why this Georgia mountain town has become a gay-friendly hot spot |url=https://www.wsbtv.com/living/why-this-georgia-mountain-town-has-become-a-gayfriendly-hot-spot/847375503/ |access-date=December 14, 2024 |work=[[WSB-TV]]}}</ref>

==Education==

===Fannin County School District=== [[File:Fannin_County_Elementary_School_in_Blue_Ridge,_Georgia.jpg|thumb|Blue Ridge Elementary School]] The [[Fannin County School District]] holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school.<ref>[http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ReportingFW.aspx?PageReq=111&PID=62&PTID=69&CountyId=655&T=0&FY=2009 Georgia Board of Education]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Retrieved June 9, 2010.</ref> The district has 179 full-time teachers and more than 3,212 students.<ref>[http://www.school-stats.com/GA/FANNIN/FANNIN_COUNTY.html School Stats], Retrieved June 9, 2010.</ref> *Blue Ridge Elementary School *East Fannin Elementary School *West Fannin Elementary School *Fannin County Middle School *[[Fannin County High School]]

[[Image:Lake Blue Ridge 2013.JPG|thumb|Lake Blue Ridge]]

===UNG Blue Ridge campus=== In 2015, the [[University of North Georgia]] (UNG) opened a campus in Blue Ridge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ung.edu/campuses/blueridge/index.php|title = Blue Ridge Campus}}</ref>

===Private education options=== * Calvary Chapel Christian School (K-5th Grade)<ref>https://www.wearecalvarychapel.com/</ref> * Mountain Area Christian Academy (Pre-K1 through 12th Grade)<ref>https://www.macalions.org/</ref>

==Notable people== *[[Mike McKinney (militiaman)|Mike McKinney]] (October 1, 1840 — August 9, 1925), American Civil War veteran and city founder<ref name=McK/> *[[Lake Underwood]] (July 4, 1926 — September 12, 2008), entrepreneur, inventor, racecar owner and driver, a founder of [[Watkins Glen International|Watkins Glen]] Racing School *[[Mark Wills]], country singer, member of the [[Grand Ole Opry]]

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Wikivoyage|Blue Ridge (Georgia)}} *[http://www.cityofblueridgega.gov/ City of Blue Ridge official website] *[http://www.blueridgemountains.com Fannin County Chamber of Commerce] *[http://www.thenewsobserver.com/ ''The News Observer''] *[http://www.brscenic.com/ Blue Ridge Scenic Railway]

[[Category:Cities in Georgia (U.S. state)]] [[Category:Cities in Fannin County, Georgia]] [[Category:County seats in Georgia (U.S. state)]]