History       Demographics        Tourism   

Welcome to White County

White County, the 123rd county formed in Georgia, was created in 1857 from a part of the original land lot county of Habersham. In early times, the area of White County formed a transitional boundary between the Cherokee and Creek Native-American nations. The county was named for Newton County Rep. David T. White, who helped to attain passage of an act creating the new county. White County’s rich history has prepared its people for the challenges of tomorrow while instilling a strong sense of community and a desire for new opportunities.

Gold was found in White County in the late 1820’s on the Nacoochee River, then known as Duke’s Creek, touching off the Great Gold Rush of that century. Gold mining operations are still found today along the banks of the Town and Tesnatee Creeks in western White County.  

Today, White County abounds with growth in business and industry. As we enter into the 21st century, the application of new and emerging technologies allows the community to keep pace with the ever changing world. As you visit with us, we hope that you will see that White County has much to offer the young and young at heart, the laid-back and the adventurous spirit, the urbanite and the country traveler.

White County Demographics

County seat: Cleveland, Georgia; Helen, Georgia is the only other incorporated municipality in White County.

Location: Northeast Georgia mountain region encompassing the Appalachian mountains and headwaters of the upper Chattahoochee River. Approximately 90 miles northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. (Eastern Time Zone). White County is comprised of 241.6 square miles. The Earth coordinates for Cleveland (near geographical center of the county) are 34º58'N 83º76'W.  

Climate: The average annual temperature for White County is 56.3ºF. The average winter temperature is 45.1ºF and the average summer temperature is 69.8ºF. There are 3,649 average Heating Degree Days and 976 average Cooling Degree Days. White County experiences about 69 inches of rainfall per year with an annual average of about 2.4 inches of snowfall.

Note: Heating Degree Days is defined as the cumulative number of degrees in a month or year by which the mean temperature falls below 18.3°C/65°F. Cooling Degree Days is defined as the cumulative number of degrees in a month or year by which the mean temperature is above 18.3°C/65°F. 

Click here for an area map of White County.

White County Population

Surrounding Six County Population: 

      Year 2000......................................................  225,403
      Year 2003 (Proj.)..........................................    242,147

Municipal Population:

Per Capita Income:

In 1998, White County had a per capita personal income (PCPI) of $21, 642. This PCPI ranked 37th in the state (out of 159 counties in GA), and was 84 percent of the state average ($25,839) and 80 percent of the national average ($27,203). White County had a total personal income of $378,411,000, and was ranked 79th statewide. Industrial earnings for persons employed in White County increased from $95,158,000 in 1988 to $196,770,000 in 1999. The PCPI for White County in 1999 was $22,598.  

White County Tourism

White County’s unspoiled mountains 
offer unparalleled outdoor recreation.
There are many private and state parks and recreation areas, as well as guided or solo excursions down rivers or across mountaintops. The area also has scenic golf courses and youth and adult sports leagues. White County has fun for everyone from the seasoned outdoor adventurer to the weekend golfer.

The White County Recreation Department is a 40-acre facility that supports one gym, one weight room, two tennis courts, five ball fields, a swimming pool and a pavilion.  Baseball, basketball, football, softball, and cheerleading are offered, as well as the Young Misses Beauty Pageant, bi-monthly teen dances, and summer day camps.  Active Adults gives seniors a chance to stay flexible and healthy, and spring and fall are filled with the excitement of adult softball.  For more information on the recreation department, please call (706) 865-2756 or (706) 865-5275. 

Unicoi State Park offers swimming and fishing, as well as camping, hiking and picnicking. There is a beautiful waterfall and plenty of trails to explore. With a 100-room lodge, 30 cottages and numerous campsites, Unicoi is a special attraction for families or anyone seeking outdoor mountain recreation.

Anna Ruby Falls is another attraction you don’t want to miss. Two creeks flow off Tray Mountain and come together in a spectacular double waterfall. Curtis Creek plummets 153 feet and York Creek falls 50 feet to form Smith Creek at the bottom of the falls. A paved 0.4-mile footpath leads to the bottom of the falls. The longer, more challenging Smith Creek Trail leads from the base of the falls to Unicoi State Park. The Lion’s Eye Trail gives blind or visually impaired persons the opportunity to experience the environment along Smith Creek. Braille signs interpret various features of the area. Anna Ruby Falls, named for the daughter of Colonel John H. Nichols who once owned the land, is located in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

The mighty Chattahoochee River flows through White County lending its majesty to the land around it. Breath-taking vistas are popular along the river. Several outposts rent inner tubes for a leisurely float down parts of the Chattahoochee or canoes and kayaks for a guided trip down swift whitewater on other parts.

For a memorable round of golf, White County has two incredible PGA-caliber golf courses.

Innsbruck Golf and Resort Club

      
 Innsbruck challenges golfers with interesting holes like #15, with a vertical drop of 160 feet to the green.

Skitt Mountain Golf Club also makes the most of its locale by offering a beautifully scenic, yet challenging round of golf.

This waterfall  typifies the natural beauty that is found throughout White County. White County is full of places to camp and hike. Organized excursions with knowledgeable guides are available, or the more adventurous camper can strike out alone. There are even areas for visitors to bring their own horse transportation for overnight horseback trips. Whether you want a thrilling whitewater canoeing adventure or a peaceful campfire adjacent a spectacular mountain view, White County has it all.