Local Area Information

Overview

Bordering North Carolina, Towns County has been blessed with an abundance of environmental resources. Lush Forests are teaming with wildlife and sparkling streams abound throughout the county. With 106,240 acres in the county, 57,503 acres are part of the Chattahoochee National Forest. With an approximate population of 10,525 residents in the whole, the largest concentration is in Hiawassee with 808.

From rustic cabins to executive estates, Towns County has something for everyone. Visit the enchanted mountains and valleys of Young Harris, and Hiawassee Georgia.

Hiawassee, where you can get anything from organic produce to gourmet meal. Location

Towns County is located in the northeast of Georgia, Hiawassee is the county seat and the larger of the two communities of Hiawassee and Young Harris. It is a scenic town surrounded by the mountains of Georgia and North Carolina while overlooking the 7200 acre sapphire-blue waters of Lake Chatuge. With 130 miles of shoreline this pristine lake is ideal for fishing, swimming, boating and camping. Hiawassee is approximately 2000 feet (609 meters) above sea level.

Lake Chatuge

Beautiful Lake Chatuge is nestled between two states and the two towns of Hiawassee Georgia and Hayesville North Carolina
This pristine lake has 132 miles of shoreline and is ideal for fishing, swimming, boating and camping.
The reservoir is operated for many uses mostly built for power generation and flood control. It is also beneficial for water quality, aquatic ecology and helps maintain navigation depth on the TVA ferment dam system.

Local Taxes

Land Tax

These taxes are stated in terms of millage rates, the dollars of taxes to be paid for each $1,000 of the real property's assessed valuation. The assessed valuation rate is 40% of the property's fair market value.
Tax Formula: Value x .40/1000 x millage = Tax (Current Tax Rate)
The current millage rate is .0085370.

Example. On a $100,000 property, it would be as follows:

$100,000 X .0085370 X 40% would = $341.48.

Annual Property Tax would therefore be $341.48

This is a typical sunset; it's Mother Nature at her best. State Income Tax

Georgia collects income taxes from its residents at the following rates.

For single taxpayers:

1 percent on the first $750 of taxable income
2 percent on taxable income between $751 and $2,250
3 percent on taxable income between $2,251 and $3,750
4 percent on taxable income between $3,751 and $5,250
5 percent on taxable income between $5,251 and $7,000
6 percent on taxable income exceeding $7,000.

For married persons filing joint returns and heads of households, the rates remain the same but the income brackets cover earnings from $1,000 (at 1 percent) to $10,000 (at 6 percent).

Georgia tax returns are due April 15, or the next business day if that date falls on a weekend or holiday.

Taxpayers age 62 or older or those permanently and totally disabled may exclude up to $30,000 of retirement income. In tax year 2008 and beyond, the excludable amount increases to $35,000.
A tax credit is allowed to Georgia residents for income taxes paid to other states, but not to foreign countries.
Some Georgia residents whose federal adjusted gross income is no more than $19,999 might be eligible for a low-income tax credit.

Sales tax

Georgia state sales tax is 4 percent.

Prescription drugs, certain medical devices and groceries are exempt from sales and use tax.

Local jurisdictions may impose additional sales taxes. These could include levies for local option tax, educational local option tax, special purpose local option tax, homestead local option tax or Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, or MARTA, tax.

Atlanta also collects a 1 percent municipal option sales tax.

Economy

Economic base is 45% Services (such as local school system, Young Harris College, Bank of Hiawassee, and the local hospital leading the employment picture). Another 22% is retail, with several successful interior design stores and many other retail shops which cater to the new home business. Another 12% is transportation and public utilities (Blue Ridge Mountain EMC leads employment in this area)

Industrial segment is under-represented, due to a lack of industrial pre-planning and targeting in years past, high land costs and growing retiree population where most attention is based.

Home Insurance

The average Georgia Homeowners insurance policy costs $56.01 a month according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Website Design and Hosting by GreatCircle Studios.