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Towns County -- Quality of Life Factors
2004 County Population - 10,133
Only 166 square miles (one of the smallest counties in Georgia), with 65 percent in National Forest Land
Joint Clay-Towns County Regional Industrial/Technology Park
Economic base is 45% Services (such as local school system, Young Harris College, Bank of Hiawassee, and the local hospital leading the employment picture). Another 22% is retail, with several successful interior design stores and many other retail shops which cater to the new home business. Another 12% is transportation and public utilities (Blue Ridge Mountain EMC leads employment in this area)
Industrial segment is under-represented, due to a lack of industrial pre-planning and targeting in years past, high land costs and growing retiree population where most attention is based.
Demographics
2006 estimate is 10,740.
Population growth rate is projected at 8.5% a year, with 2010 population estimated at 11,670. State growth estimated during this period to be about 8%.
Median household income -- $28,170 in 1997, compared to $36,372 in state
Educational attainment - 74.5 % of students eligible for HOPE Scholarship, compared to 58% eligible statewide.
Unemployment average between 1996 and 2000 - 5.6% compared to state average of 4.2%
Labor Market
Average manufacturing wage is around $9.00 an hour with a range of $8.00 to $12.00 per hour (based on 40-hour work week).
Unemployment - August 2006 Rate is 3.1 % (174 persons); not seasonally adjusted
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