Stephens County
countyStephens County, Georgia, is located in the northeastern part of the state, nestled in the Piedmont region near the Blue Ridge Mountains. As of July 2024, the population was estimated to be 27,498. The county is known for its scenic beauty, friendly people, and progressive government. Stephens County has a diverse economy with a balance of agriculture, industry, tourism, and retail business. Key industries include manufacturing, retail trade, and educational services. The county is home to two institutions of higher learning: Toccoa Falls College and the Currahee Campus of North Georgia Technical College. What makes Stephens County distinctive is its blend of natural attractions and historical significance. Notable landmarks include Currahee Mountain and Toccoa Falls. The area was originally inhabited by Mississippian Indians and later by Cherokees. The county was established in 1905 and named after Alexander Stephens, a Georgia statesman and Vice President of the Confederacy.
Stephens County, Georgia
- Classification
- County
- Country
- United States
- County
- Stephens County
- Region
- Northeast Georgia, Piedmont region, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains
- Total Area
- 184 sq mi
- Land Area
- 179 sq mi
- Water Area
- 5.1 sq mi
- Latitude
- 34.56
- Longitude
- -83.29
- Notable Features
- Currahee Mountain · Toccoa Falls · Lake Hartwell · Lake Yonah
- Neighboring Areas
- Franklin County, GA · Habersham County, GA · Banks County, GA · Oconee County, SC
- Population (2020)
- 26,784
- Est. Population (2024)
- 27,498
- Median Age
- 41.2
- Median Income
- $52,264
- Poverty Rate
- 15.75%
- Owner-Occupied
- 72.1%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- In 2023, Stephens County was 81% White (Non-Hispanic), 10.6% Black or African American (Non-Hispanic), 2.92% Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic), 2.59% Other (Hispanic), and 1.04% Asian (Non-Hispanic).
- Unemployment Rate
- 4.2% (2025)
- Economic Profile
- Diverse economy with agriculture · industry · tourism · retail business · Business-friendly community
- Employment Sectors
- Manufacturing · Retail Trade · Educational Services
- Schools
- 6
- Students
- 3,853
- Teachers
- 287
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- School Districts
- Stephens County School District
- Colleges & Universities
- Toccoa Falls College · Currahee Campus of North Georgia Technical College
- Transportation
- Interstate Hwy. 85 · U.S. Highway 123 · Amtrak (Crescent line) · R.G. LeTourneau Airport
- Utilities
- Water · Wastewater · Natural gas · Electricity · Fiber optic broadband connectivity
- Major Facilities
- Stephens County Hospital · R.G. LeTourneau Airport
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Currahee Mountain · Toccoa Falls · Lake Hartwell · Lake Yonah · Tugaloo State Park
- Parks & Trails
- Stephens County Recreation Department Parks · Roselane Recreation Complex · Frady Branch Trail system · Henderson Falls Park
- Founded
- 1905
- Named After
- Alexander Stephens
- Historical Significance
- Stephens County has historical significance due to its Native American heritage, role in the Civil War, and being named after a prominent Georgia statesman.
- Key Events
- Battle of the Narrows during the Civil War · Construction of Hartwell Dam and Lake Hartwell · Establishment of Camp Toccoa during World War II