Overview
Blairsville is a city in Union County, Georgia. The city was designated as Union County’s seat in 1835. While it is a city, it has a small-town feel with a close-knit community. Outdoor recreation among beautiful landscapes and mountainous scenery allows residents to maintain an active lifestyle, with many parks to explore in the area.
Climate and Geography
Almost the entire state of Georgia has a humid subtropical climate, which is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters that may occasionally dip below freezing temperatures. Blairsville residents can expect higher-than-average rainfall, while the amount of snowfall is below the national average. Additionally, there are approximately 211 sunny days per year.
Blairsville is near the Chattahoochee National Forest, a large nature preserve in Union County. Bodies of water nearby include the Hiwassee River, Ocoee River, Chattahoochee River, and the ACF River Basin.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Recreation in Blairsville mostly centers on the beautiful natural landscapes of the town. Some of the top things to do in the city include visiting Brasstown Bald Mountain, Vogel State Park, Helton Creek Falls, Meeks Park, Desoto Falls, Union County Farmers Market, Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm, Odom Springs Vineyards, Bryon Herbert Reece Farm and Heritage Center, as well as Pappy’s Trading Post, to name a few.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The cost of living in Blairsville is lower than the state and national averages. While most of the cost of living indexes are low, health care costs are slightly higher than average.
The effective income tax rate in Georgia is 5.24 percent for single filers and 5.8 percent for joint filers. Retirement income like Social security benefits are not taxed and railroad retirement benefits are fully exempt. Taxpayers who are 65+ may also exclude up to $65,000 of eligible retirement income including pensions, annuities, IRA distributions, interest, dividends, net income from rental property, capital gains, royalties, and the first $4,000 of earned wages.
Health Care
The Blairsville area is serviced by multiple hospitals including Union General Hospital-Blairesville, Erlanger Murphy Medical Center, Chatuge Regional Hospital, and Fannin Regional Hospital.