Habersham County
Community
Profile
46th in order of
county creation
Dec. 15, 1818
Prepared for Habersham County Cooperative Extension
by The Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development
The University of Georgia • Athens, GA
Total Population
Habersham County
43,769
44,362
38,978
2010 Trend CAED
2010 Proj. OPB
2004 Est.
35,902
2000
27,621
25,020
1990
1980
20,691
1970
18,116
16,553
1960
1950
14,771
1940
12,748
1930
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
Primary data sources: U.S. Census Bureau, decennial censuses & estimate;
CAED (Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development); OPB (State Office of Planning & Budget).
50,000
Population Composition by Age
Habersham County
100%
65 +
45-64
20-44
5-19
<5
5.7
7.1
8.3
9.1
10.9
15.0
15.4
17.3
19.1
19.5
34.1
34.3
0%
35.2
29.5
31.3
32.5
31.9
32.1
36.3
26.6
13.2
Change in
proportion
1990-2000
13.9
20.5
23.1
37.8
36.0
22.2
20.7
10.9
12.8
10.6
7.7
6.7
6.3
6.3
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2004 Estimated Median Age
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau
Habersham Co. = 35.9 yrs.
+0.7
+2.6
-1.8
-1.5
0.0
GA = 33.8 yrs.
2004 County Population Comparisons
County
Total
Density
Total
% Chg.
per sq.mi. land
Rank
2000-04
area
Rank of
% Chg.
HABERSHAM
38,978
50
140.1
8.6
47
BANKS
15,685
103
67.1
8.8
44
HALL
160,925
10
408.8
15.5
19
RABUN
16,011
100
43.2
6.4
59
STEPHENS
24,988
67
139.4
-1.8
147
TOWNS
10,133
128
60.8
8.7
45
WHITE
23,595
72
97.7
18.3
14
Primary data source: U. S. Census Bureau
Population Change: 1930-2000
35
Percentage Change
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1930-40
1940-50
1950-60
U.S.
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau
1960-70
Georgia
1970-80
1980-90
1990-2000
Habersham Co.
Components of Population Change: 2000-2004
Natural Increase & Net Migration*
Numerical
Change
# Natural
Increase
(BirthsDeaths)
Rate of
Natural
Increase
# Net
Migration
Rate of
Net Migration
HABERSHAM
3,080
755
4.7
2,339
14.7
BANKS
1,263
329
5.1
943
14.7
HALL
21,610
7,757
12.2
13,699
21.5
RABUN
961
97
1.5
870
13.2
STEPHENS
-447
-7
-0.1
-425
-4.0
TOWNS
814
-209
-5.1
1,030
24.9
WHITE
3,651
284
3.1
3,383
36.6
Avg. GA Co.
4,041
1,878
4.8
2,156
8.4
GEORGIA
642,567
298,562
8.3
342,818
9.5
Primary data source:
U. S. Census Bureau
* Numerical change includes “residual” not represented in either NI or NM.
Average annual estimates of annual rates per 1,000 population
Area
Population Change: 2000-2004
LOSS
0 – 4.3%
4.3 – 7.8%
7.8 – 15.7%
15.7 – 34%
GA = 7.8%
US = 4.3%
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau
Selected Vital Statistics
2004 Rates
14.9
Total births per 1,000 pop
15.7
35.1
Unwed per 100 total births
39.2
37.0
Teen pregnancy per 1,000
females age 10-19
34.7
10.5
Deaths per 1,000 pop
Induced terminations per
1,000 females age 15-44
Low birth weight per 100
births
Infant deaths per 1,000 births
10-yr. rates 1995-2004
7.4
1.7
16.2
8.9
8.8
13.3
Habersham Co.
Georgia
8.7
2004 Habersham Co. Natality Data 2004 Habersham Co. Mortality Data
268 total births, 94 unwed births
189 total deaths
5 induced terminations
4 infant deaths
46 teen pregnancies
24 low birth weight babies
Primary data source: GA Dept. Public Health
Highest Level of Educational Attainment: 2000
6.1
Grad or Prof Degree
8.3
9.8
Bachelor's degree
16.0
3.7
Associate degree
5.2
17.6
Some college, no degree
20.4
33.7
HS Grad
28.7
15.9
9th-12th no diploma
Habersham Co.
Georgia
13.8
13.2
< 9th grade
7.6
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Percent of Persons Age 25+
Habersham Co.
Not completing HS = 29.1%
With a bachelor’s + degree = 15.8%
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau
Selected Public School Statistics
School Year 2003-04
Teachers w/adv degrees
51.8
58.6
College prep certif
Class '04 Grad Rate
65.3
65.4
73.4
76.8
5.8
8.2
Gifted
13.1
12.1
Special Ed
38.9
Free/Reduced lunch
46.4
3.9
3.9
Retained in grade
Habersham Co.
Georgia
10.6
9.5
Absent >15 days
4.3
5.1
HS Dropout rate
0
10
Primary data source:
Governor’s Office of Student Achievement
20
30
40
50
Percentage
60
70
80
Habersham Co.
K12 enrollment = 6,036
H.S. dropouts = 75
General fund expenditures per pupil = $6,366
Per Capita Income: 1998-2003
$35,000
$30,000
$25,000
$20,000
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$0
1998
1999
2000
Habersham Co.
2003 PCI
Habersham Co. = $23,202
Primary data source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
2001
2002
Georgia
Georgia = $29,000
U.S. = $31,472
2003
U.S.
Per Capita Income: 1998-2003
Percentage Change
8
Percentage
6
4
2
0
-2
1998-99
1999-2000
Habersham Co.
Primary data source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
2000-01
2001-02
Georgia
2002-03
U.S.
Per Capita Income: 2003
Rank of
PCI
% PCI of
GA Total
% Change
1998-2003
HABERSHAM $23,202
60
80.0
9.1
BANKS
$24,059
42
83.0
15.4
HALL
$25,132
31
86.7
11.7
RABUN
$23,281
59
80.3
13.9
STEPHENS
$23,779
48
82.0
14.5
TOWNS
$24,036
44
82.9
15.0
WHITE
$21,890
88
75.5
2.3
GA Avg. Co.
$22,879
--
78.9
15.5
County
PCI
Primary data source: U. S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
Median Household Income
2003 Model-Based Estimates
US
$43,318
GEORGIA
$42,421
GA Avg. Co.
$34,859
$36,841
HABERSHAM
$39,998
BANKS
HALL
$44,334
RABUN
$34,001
$30,973
STEPHENS
$33,202
TOWNS
$36,762
WHITE
$0
$9,000
Primary data source: U. S. Census Bureau
$18,000
$27,000
$36,000
$45,000
Transfer Receipts: 2003
Habersham Co. Total = $157,486,000
43.9
Retirement/Disab
35.8
22.5
19.2
Medicare
Habersham Co.
Georgia
14.0
Pub Med Assist
1.9
2.7
0.1
0.6
1.1
2.5
4.2
5.6
1.9
3.2
2.6
3.4
Supp Sec Inc
Family Assist
Food Stamps
Other Inc Maint
Unemp
Veteran Benefit
All Other
0
5
18.9
Habersham Co.
$4,068 per capita
transfer receipts
17.6% of total personal income
0.9% change in total 2002-2003
7.8
8.2
10
15
20
25
Percentage
Primary data source: Bureau of Economic Analysis
30
35
40
45
50
Persons Living Below Poverty Level
2003 Model-Based Estimates
# of
Persons
% of all
Persons
Rank
of %
HABERSHAM
4,481
12.1
33
BANKS
1,932
12.3
39
HALL
19,069
12.0
31
RABUN
1,918
12.1
33
STEPHENS
3,794
15.6
72
TOWNS
1,173
12.1
33
WHITE
2,732
11.8
29
GA Avg. Co.
7,246
16.0
--
County
Primary data source: U. S. Census Bureau
Persons Living Below the Poverty Level
2003 Model-Based Estimates
5.2 – 9.4%
9.4 – 13.4%
13.4 – 17.0%
17.0 – 20.1%
20.1 – 24.7%
Weighted
average poverty
threshold for a
family of 4
persons in 2003
= $18,810
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau
Georgia
1,152,089
persons
13.3%
------------US = 12.5%
Unemployment Rates
Rate per 100 in Labor Forc
7
Habersham Co.
Georgia
U. S.
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1995
1996
2004 Rates
1997
1998
1999
2000
Habersham Co. = 3.5
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Labor
2001
2002
GA = 4.6
2003
2004
US = 5.5
Business Establishments, Employment and Wages
Habersham County 2004 Annual Averages, % of Total
Estab
Emp
Wages
Agriculture
Whlsle trade
Information
Admin-waste svc
All other svc
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Labor
Construction
Retail trade
Finance/Insur
Health svc
Government
Manufacturing
Trans-warehouse
Prof-Sci-Tech Svc
Accom/Food Svc
All Other
Employment Comparisons by Industry: 2004
Total GOODS
Producing
Agriculture
Construction
2.2
0.7
4.7
5.2
Manufacturing
Total SERVICE
Producing
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Finance-Ins
Transp-warehous
Information
Prof-Sci-Tech
Adm-Waste svc
Health-Soc Svcs
Accomo-Food svc
All other svcs
26.9
11.7
1.6
5.4
33.9
17.7
45.4
11.6
11.6
1.1
3.9
2.1
3.1
1.5
4.1
1.6
5.0
4.2
6.9
5.4
8.8
7.6
8.4
8.7
8.2
Total
GOVERNMENT
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Labor
Habersham Co.
Georgia
20.6
16.5
65.4
Farm Gate Value by Commodity Group: 2004
Habersham Co. Total Value = $274,483,835
All Other
1.3%
Fruits-Nuts
0.5%
Ornamental
Horticulture
1.7%
Livestock
4.8%
Row-Forage crops
0.6%
Primary data source: Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development, UGA
Poultry-Egg
91.0%
Components of Gross Property Tax Digest: 2004
Habersham Co. Gross Digest (40% Value) = $1,179,998,933
40.6
Residential
Ag/Pref/Environ
15.6
6.3
11.7
13.1
Commercial
Industrial
Utility
Motor Vehicle
Mobile Home
Timber
55.1
52
20.7
22.6
5.0
7.7
7.1
3.8
5.7
3.9
7.6
8.9
7.4
1.2
1.5
0.5
0.0
1.1
0.2
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Revenue
Habersham Co.
GA Avg. Co.
GA Sum of counties
County Property Tax Digest Comparisons: 2004
County
% Resi- % Agri- % Com- % In- % Motor
%
dential cultural mercial dustrial Vehicle Other
HABERSHAM
55.1
15.6
11.7
5.0
7.6
5.0
BANKS
35.4
31.2
14.4
5.4
9.1
4.5
HALL
55.4
6.8
16.5
10.8
8.1
2.5
RABUN
57.1
7.4
6.3
3.6
3.7
21.9
STEPHENS
52.1
4.7
13.4
15.3
9.0
5.6
TOWNS
75.8
4.4
10.7
0.2
6.2
2.8
WHITE
54.6
23.3
9.2
1.4
8.0
3.6
Avg. GA Co.
40.7
20.8
13.2
7.9
9.0
8.4
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Revenue
Millage Rates, Taxes Levied, & Sales Tax
’05 Countywide Millage*
’05 County
School
Millage*
’04 Taxes
Levied*
($000)
Sales
Tax Rate
as of 1/06
LOST
Type*
as of 1/06
HABERSHAM
23.123
14.000
$24,996
7
LSE
BANKS
23.689
12.750
$9,997
7
LSE
HALL
24.410
16.300
$126,111
7
LSE
RABUN
17.400
8.148
$21,150
7
LSE
STEPHENS
26.850
16.900
$18,461
7
LSE
TOWNS (’04)
11.660
5.226
$6,132
7
LOE
WHITE
21.769
13.215
$18,057
7
LSE
County
*All tax districts are assessed an additional .250 state millage. Taxes Levied,
but not necessarily collected. L=Local Option Sales Tax, S=Special Purpose,
E=Educational, O=Other
Primary data source: GA Dept. of Revenue
Retail Sales Analysis: 2004
Habersham Co. Total Retail Sales = $396,254,000
0.91
Total Retail Sales
3.28
Health-Personal Care
0.64
Bldg Mat-garden equip-supplies
Gas stations
0.69
0.34
Motor Vehicle-parts
Furniture-Home Furn-Appliance
1.31
0.25
Clothing & Accessories
1.54
General Merchandise
0.83
Food Services-Drinking Places
1.35
Food-Beverage Stores
0
1
2
3
4
Sales Activity Index-Wealth Factor
A “pull factor” of 1.0 means that the county’s sales are what would be expected
based upon the number of residents and their relative wealth.
Primary data sources: “2005 Georgia Outshopping Report,” SBDC, Applied Research, The University of Georgia.
Commuting to Work: 2000
Percentage of:
Residents working in
county
68.6
Residents working
out of county
31.4
Workers coming into
county
27.0
Residents driving to
work alone
79.2
Residents carpooling
Residents working at
home
15.0
2.3
Habersham County
Mean travel time to work = 23.8 min.
Ratio of IN to OUT = 0.81
Resident workers 16+ = 16,482
Residents working in county = 11,308
Residents working out of county = 5,174
Total working in county = 15,492
Workers commuting into county = 4,184
Primary data source: U.S. Census Bureau
This study was developed
to assist community leadership
with their future planning
and decision making.
Special County Area Report
# 06 -04
March, 2006
Prepared for Habersham County Cooperative Extension
by Susan R. Boatright
Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
The University of Georgia • Athens, GA
Georgia Cooperative Extension
706-542-0760 • 706-542-8938
www.caed.uga.edu AND www.georgiastats.uga.edu