Cherokee County Snapshot

Cherokee County includes the cities of Ball Ground, Canton, Holly Springs, Waleska, and Woodstock.

Cherokee County was formed in 1830 from lands previously held by the Cherokee Indians. Its 6,900 square miles were subsequently divided into 24 other counties. One interesting historical site is the Crescent Farm, named for the curve in the Etowah River that partially encircles it. A.L. Coggins, original owner of the farm, was a Georgia pioneer in the harness racing industry; the farm became famous for its world-class race horse, Abbedale. The stable, Rock Barn, has never been moved from its original site.

Canton, the county seat, was named after the city in China. Canton’s founders attempted to establish silk production; the name, however, is the only thing that survived the venture. Lake Allatoona, a 12,010-acre lake, is the center of recreational activities in Cherokee County. The lake was built in 1950 and today provides power for more than 2,000 homes in the area. It is best known for the many recreational opportunities it provides its visitors. With more than 12,000 acres of water surface available, Allatoona is large enough to accommodate a variety of activities.

Some of the notable people who have called Cherokee County home include two state governors, Joseph E. Brown and Joseph M. Brown, and two Rhodes Scholars, Dean Rusk and Eugene Booth. Rusk was the Secretary of State under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and held that office for longer than any other person except Cordell Hull. The world famous golfer Bobby Jones, and singer, writer and pianist, Lee Roy Abernathy, also hail from the county.

Interstate 575 runs north through the county, providing easy access to the Atlanta business and employment markets and to shopping opportunities provided around Town Center Mall. Cherokee’s first interchange, Highway 92, is only 16 miles from the Perimeter highway. The Interstate also provides ready access to Lake Allatoona, which has a wealth of recreational and scenic amenities.

Cherokee is actively developing a strong business and industrial base. National and international companies such as Herman Miller, Siemens Energy, Quill, ULMA Packaging, Piolax and Torrington all have ongoing operations in Cherokee County. Currently under development in the county is a new 700-acre science and technology park, The Bluff of Technology Park, which will provide state-of-the-art amenities for companies seeking a signature location. Residential neighborhoods with a full spectrum of housing opportunities are located within minutes.

One board of education serves the county’s 34 public schools. Current enrollment is over 28,000. Cherokee is proud of its school system, which exceed both national and state test score averages.

The county offers several new subdivisions throughout, offering everything from starter homes to executive estates. Homes range from the low $100s to upwards of $1 million. The county also has eight golf course communities and hosts two private golf clubs.

Population: 221,484
Total Area: 427.7 Square Miles

Cherokee County Links

Cherokee County Humane Society
Cherokee County Humane Society

North Ga. Angel House
North Ga. Angel House

Safe Kids Of Cherokee
Safe Kids Of Cherokee

Cherokee Music Teachers Assoc.
Cherokee Music Teachers Assoc.

Cherokee County Photography Club
Cherokee Photo Club

Cherokee Arts
Cherokee Arts

Cherokee Bee Club
Cherokee Bee Club

Cherokee Tribune
Cherokee Tribune

Cherokee Parks Web Site
Cherokee Parks Web Site

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