Habersham County, Georgia: commercial real estate data.
Habersham County, Georgia had an estimated 49,665 residents on July 1, 2024, up 7.9 percent since the 2020 census base of 46,029, across 277 square miles. County output reached $2.11 bn in 2024, 951 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 34 7(a) approvals worth $42.7 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Habersham County
How many people live in Habersham County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202447,793
- Households16,753
- Average household size2.85
- Median household income$67,309
- Median age39.4
- Median gross rent$974 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$238,300
- Home value to household income3.5 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income17.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher24.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree10.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over32,671
- Population under 1810,428
- Share under 1821.8 percent
- Population 65 and over9,246
- Share 65 and over19.3 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6428,119
- Civilian labor force21,570
- Unemployment rate2.7 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over57.7 percent
- Rank by population among Georgia counties44th of 159
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included1045th of 3,222
Habersham County is the 44th largest of 159 Georgia counties by population. A median home costs 3.5 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 21.8 percent against 19.3 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Habersham County
Is Habersham County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202449,665
- Census 2020 base population46,029
- Population change since the 2020 census base7.90 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024814
- Births, 2024519
- Deaths, 2024572
- Natural change, 2024-53
- Net domestic migration, 2024677
- Net international migration, 2024188
- Total net migration, 2024865
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20243,187
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents244th of 3,144
The county has grown 7.90 percent since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Habersham County
Where are people moving to Habersham County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving1,431
- People arriving, from those returns2,742
- Tax returns filed by households leaving1,071
- Net household movement360
- Adjusted gross income arriving$86.5 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$35.3 m
- Average income of an arriving household$60,468
- Average income of a leaving household$47,809
- Largest single originHall County (247 households)
- Largest single destinationHall County (141 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hall County | 247 | 485 | $15.3 m |
| White County | 127 | 273 | $5.8 m |
| Banks County | 88 | 177 | $4.0 m |
| Gwinnett County | 87 | 164 | $6.9 m |
| Stephens County | 85 | 181 | $3.9 m |
| Jackson County | 44 | 84 | $3.1 m |
| Rabun County | 42 | 84 | $2.5 m |
| Fulton County | 34 | 44 | $2.0 m |
Households arriving report $12,659 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Hall County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Habersham County
What is the Habersham County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$2.11 bn
- County GDP, 2023$1.90 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 202411.0 percent
- GDP change over five years38.5 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Georgia areas BEA publishes52nd of 159
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes1232nd of 3,127
- GDP per resident$44,066
Output grew 11.0 percent in the latest year and 38.5 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Habersham County
Employment by industry in Habersham County
- Covered employment, annual average15,000
- Establishments reporting1,149
- Average annual pay$48,929
- Average weekly wage$941
- Manufacturing, employment3,586
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$62,087
- Retail trade, employment2,114
- Retail trade, average annual pay$30,855
- Accommodation and food services, employment1,776
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$21,596
- Health care and social assistance, employment1,187
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$61,017
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment770
- Educational services, employment559
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 3,586 | 65 | $62,087 |
| Retail trade | 2,114 | 186 | $30,855 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,776 | 101 | $21,596 |
| Health care and social assistance | 1,187 | 105 | $61,017 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 770 | 74 | $46,106 |
| Educational services | 559 | 12 | $48,053 |
| Wholesale trade | 410 | 43 | $57,722 |
| Construction | 409 | 108 | $53,685 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 3,586 jobs, 23.9 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Habersham County
How many businesses are in Habersham County?
- Establishments, all industries951
- Employment at those establishments11,474
- Annual payroll$527.5 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents19.9
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Habersham County
Building permits in Habersham County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024241
- Declared construction value permitted$85.2 m
- Single family units authorized232
- Multifamily units authorized9
- Multifamily share of units3.7 percent
- Average declared value per unit$353,477
- Units authorized per 1,000 households14.4
Single-family homes are 96.3 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Habersham County
SBA loans in Habersham County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded34
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$42.7 m
- Average 7(a) approval$1,254,718
- Median 7(a) approval$522,500
- 10th percentile approval$109,300
- 90th percentile approval$4,712,000
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)895
- Jobs per approval26.3
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active22
- Distinct industries receiving approvals21
- Median 7(a) term125 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer41.2 percent
- Loans on real estate terms14
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter16
- Franchise loans9
- Franchise share of approvals26.5 percent
- Leading industry by approval countGasoline Stations with Convenience Stores (6)
- Most active lenderVallant Bank (4)
- 504 approvals recorded18
- 504 gross approval dollars$18.1 m
- Average 504 approval$1,006,333
- Median 504 approval$751,000
- Distinct CDCs active7
- 504 jobs per approval7.4
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved7.4
- Most active CDCSmall Business Access Partners, Inc. (8)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$60.8 m
The average approval of $1,254,718 sits well above the median of $522,500, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. 41.2 percent of approvals run on real estate terms of 240 months or more, so this is a market where SBA credit is buying buildings, not just funding operations.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Habersham County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Habersham County
Do SBA loans in Habersham County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded4
- Paid in full3
- Charged off1
- Status: Exempt from disclosure25
- Status: Cancelled2
- Status: Charged off1
- Status: Paid in full3
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed3
Only 4 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Habersham County
SBA lending by place in Habersham County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending7
- Cornelia, approvals11
- Clarkesville, approvals7
- Alto, approvals6
- Demorest, approvals6
- Jefferson, approvals2
- Baldwin, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Cornelia | 11 | $15,928,000 |
| Clarkesville | 7 | $3,434,400 |
| Alto | 6 | $17,580,000 |
| Demorest | 6 | $3,326,000 |
| Jefferson | 2 | $1,575,000 |
| Baldwin | 1 | $486,000 |
| Mount Airy | 1 | $331,000 |
Cornelia accounts for 11 approvals against 7 in Clarkesville. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Habersham County
How large is Habersham County?
- Land area277 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Georgia counties109th of 159
- Width, east to west19.6 mi
- Height, north to south27 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary7
- Residents per square mile of land173
- Establishments per square mile3.43
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Habersham County
Flood risk in Habersham County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Habersham County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 130458
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book8
- Of those, participating in the NFIP7
- NFIP participation rate87.5 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Habersham County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Habersham County (community 130458), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Habersham County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 87.5 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Habersham County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Habersham County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202447,793
- Households16,753
- Average household size2.85
- Median household income$67,309
- Median age39.4
Common questions
Habersham County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Habersham County, Georgia?
The Census Bureau estimates 49,665 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 47,793, in 16,753 households, ranking 44th of 159 Georgia counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Habersham County's population growing?
The population has grown 7.90 percent since the 2020 census base of 46,029, to 49,665 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 519 births against 572 deaths, with net migration of 865. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Habersham County?
$67,309. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $238,300, which is 3.5 times income, and median gross rent is $974 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Habersham County?
951 establishments, employing 11,474 people with an annual payroll of $527.5 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Habersham County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 3,586 jobs, 23.9 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 15,000 jobs at an average annual pay of $48,929, or $941 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Habersham County?
34 7(a) approvals totaling $42.7 m since FY2020, across 22 lenders, with a median approval of $522,500, plus 18 504 approvals worth $18.1 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Habersham County?
241 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $85.2 m. Multifamily was 3.7 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Habersham County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Habersham County come from?
The largest single origin is Hall County, with 247 households. Arriving households report an average income of $60,468 against $47,809 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Habersham County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Habersham County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Habersham County
Cities and places in Habersham.
8 Census places lie wholly or partly in Habersham County. All 8 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornelia | city | 4,992 | 11 | Wholly in this county |
| Baldwin | city | 4,000 | 1 | 62.3 percent here, 37.7 percent Banks County |
| Demorest | city | 2,512 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Raoul | CDP | 2,253 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Clarkesville | city | 1,959 | 7 | Wholly in this county |
| Mount Airy | town | 1,622 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Alto | town | 1,055 | 6 | 44.3 percent here, 55.7 percent Banks County |
| Tallulah Falls | town | 288 | None recorded | 54.3 percent here, 45.7 percent Rabun County |
A further 2 of the county's 34 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Habersham County, the largest being Jefferson (2). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby