New residents Atlanta GA Moving to Atlanta GA Relocating to Atlanta GA New Resident Guide Georgia Atlanta Magazine Living in Atlanta


Cherokee County

County Description, Neighborhoods, County Information, Chamber of Commerce, Property Taxes, Public Education, Utilities and Contacts, Helpful Links


County Description

Located northwest of Atlanta, Cherokee County gets its name from the original inhabitants of the area, the Cherokee Indians. The county seat, then called Etowah, was established in 1833 and re-named Canton in 1834. Today, the city is enjoying its greatest economic boom in its history with more than $60 million invested in residential and commercial development in 1998. Despite developing its own industrial base, Cherokee County remains idyllic and serene. Farming, especially poultry processing, remains a leading industry.

Canton and the neighboring community of Woodstock have seen tremendous growth as subdivisions crop up to accommodate newcomers. In fact, nearly 60 percent of the county's population are commuters. Prices of homes range in the $80s to well over $1 million in such neighborhoods as Bradshaw Farms, Bridge Mill and Town Lake Hills.

Interstate 575 and Ga. Highway 92 traverse the county, affording residents easy access to Atlanta and the nearby attractions of Town Center Mall, Lake Allatoona and the North Georgia Mountains.

Cherokee County Neighborhoods

Photo courtesy of GDITT.
Canton
Canton was incorporated 1833 and renamed in 1834 at the request of two founding fathers who had visions that the town might become a silk cent er similar to what existed in Canton, China. Canton did become famous for its "Canton Denim," known worldwide for the high-quality denim produced by Canton Cotton Mills.

Today, Canton is attracting new industry and residents. As a result, the city is reinvesting in its downtown. As part of its "Streetscapes" program, downtown Canton will be restored to its historic look. The Cherokee County Arts Council building is undergoing restoration, and the newly designed theater on Main Street will open soon. Located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the banks of the Etowah River, Canton is prime location for development.

Photo courtesy of GDITT
Woodstock
Twelve miles south of Canton, Woodstock is the fastest growing city in Cherokee County. With a growth rate of 70 percent over the past ten years, the city has doubled in size. Residents enjoy easy access to Interstate 575 and Ga. Highway 92, allowing short commutes to Cobb and Fulton counties.

While affording convenience to big city attractions, Woodstock still maintains its small town appeal. Buildings dating back to 1879 characterize downtown where antique and other specialty shops are located.

Two golf courses are located in Woodstock, including Arnold Palmer's Eagle Watch, a 72-hole course with wooded countryside views. The 11,860-acre Lake Allatoona provides additional recreation. Woodstock is also convenient to over 13 state parks.

County Information

Median household income
$65,141

Median age of residents
34

Population
152,170

Sales tax
6%

Chamber of Commerce

Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce
770-345-0400
cherokeechamber.com

Property Taxes

The property tax rate per $1,000 is:
unincorporated Cherokee County, $26.24; incorporated Cherokee County, $24.99.

Tax Commissioner: 770-479-0440

Public Education

Cherokee County Schools Board of Education
770-479-1871

Head Start 1 Elementary Schools 21
Middle Schools 4
High Schools 4
Alternative 1
Per-pupil expenditures $6,530
School & bus information 770-479-1871

Avg SAT Scores* (Verbal/Math)
Cherokee Co. (471/463)
Georgia (487/482)
National (506/514)

*Note: most students take the SAT whether they go on to higher education or not.

Atlanta School Guide
"Atlanta's Definitive Source for Education Information"


Utilities and Contacts

Electricity
Cobb EMC
770-429-2100
cobbemc.com

Sawnee EMC
770-887-2363
sawnee.com

Cobb Energy (Electricity, Security, Telephone and Satellite TV)
770-429-2222
cobbenergy.com

Gas

Gas South
866-762-6427
gas-south.com

Scana Energy
877-GO-SCANA
scanaenergy.com

Telephone
Alltell: 770-479-5586
BellSouth: 888-757-6500 or outside Georgia 800-356-3094
TDS Telecom: 770-735-2000

Water
Cherokee County Water Authority: 770-479-1813
City of Ball Ground: 770-735-2123
City of Canton: 770-704-1500
City of Waleska: 770-479-2912
City of Woodstock: 770-592-6006

Cable TV
Adelphia: 800-508-6950
Comcast: 1-800-934-6489

Hospitals
Northside Hospital-Cherokee: 770-720-5100


Helpful Links

Cherokee County
cherokeega.com

Cherokee Chamber of Commerce
cherokeechamber.com

Neighborhoods
canton-georgia.com
woodstockga.gov

Cherokee County Schools
cherokee.k12.ga.us/

Click here to go back to the top, click here to go back to the map or choose another county below:

Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Rockdale

Atlanta School Guide