Nelson, Georgia

Nelson is a city in Pickens and Cherokee Counties, Georgia, United States. At the 2010 census, the population was 1,314.[5] It is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Nelson, Georgia
City
Nelson city hall
Location in Pickens County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 34°22′54″N 84°22′17″W
Country	United States
State	Georgia
Counties	Pickens, Cherokee
Area [1]
• Total	1.53 sq mi (3.97 km^2)
• Land	1.52 sq mi (3.95 km^2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.02 km^2)
Elevation	1,237 ft (377 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	1,314
• Estimate  (2019)[2]	1,377
• Density	903.54/sq mi (348.89/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	30151
Area code(s)	770
FIPS code	13-54572[3]
GNIS feature ID	0319244[4]

History

The city is named for John Nelson, an early landowner, farmer, and rifle maker.[6] The Georgia General Assembly incorporated Nelson as a town in 1891.[7]

The area possesses substantial deposits of marble. The construction of a railway in 1883 made the development of large-scale quarries possible. The quality of the marble has made it favored for federal monuments.[8]

On April 1, 2013, the city council voted unanimously to approve the "Family Protection Ordinance". Every head of household must own a gun and ammunition to "provide for the emergency management of the city" and to "provide for and protect the safety, security, and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants." Residents are not required to buy one if they do not have one, and the ordinance does not penalize anyone who does not comply. Convicted felons are exempt.[9]

Geography

Nelson is located on the border of Pickens and Cherokee Counties at 34°22′54″N 84°22′17″W (34.381562, -84.371303).[10] The original city center is located in Pickens County, but the city limits have recently expanded southward so that more of the city is now located in Cherokee County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.8 km²), of which 0.008 square miles (0.02 km²), or 0.56%, is covered by water.[5]

Nelson is served through its downtown by the Georgia Northeastern Railroad, and by Canton Road, the town's main street and the former route of Georgia State Route 5. South on old 5 is Ball Ground, and north is Tate. The north end of Interstate 575 and south end of State Route 515 are at the county line just to the west of Nelson. I-575 leads south 52 miles (84 km) to Atlanta, and SR 515 leads north 26 miles (42 km) to Ellijay.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1890	266		—
1900	254		−4.5%
1910	550		116.5%
1920	511		−7.1%
1930	798		56.2%
1940	679		−14.9%
1950	645		−5.0%
1960	658		2.0%
1970	613		−6.8%
1980	562		−8.3%
1990	486		−13.5%
2000	626		28.8%
2010	1,314		109.9%
2019 (est.)	1,377	[2]	4.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

As of the census[3] of 2000, 626 people, 254 households, and 188 families resided in the city. The population density was 695.0 people per square mile (268.6/km²). The 275 housing units averaged 305.3 per square mile (118.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.94% White, 9.42% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.16% Asian, and 0.32% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.16% of the population.

Of the 254 households, 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.2% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were not families. About 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was distributed as 19.3% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,250, and for a family was $51,806. Males had a median income of $35,066 versus $30,450 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,604. About 1.1% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

The estimated median household income in 2008 was $56,361, compared to $50,861 for the state of Georgia. The estimated per capita income in 2008 was $26,140.

The estimated median house or condominium value in 2008 was $208,186, compared to $169,100 for the state of Georgia. The estimated median home value in Nelson was $110,800 in 2000. In 2008, the mean price for all housing units was $204,682, for detached houses $212,211, for townhouses or other attached units $147,212, and for mobile homes $54,519.

Notable person

• Claude Akins, actor

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
5. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Nelson city, Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
6. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Nelson, Georgia
7. Acts Passed by the General Assembly of Georgia. J. Johnston. 1892. p. 742.
8. "About Nelson - Welcome to Nelson, Georgia". www.nelsongeorgia.com. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
9. "GA. City Council Votes to Require Gun Ownership". AP. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.