Ellijay at a glance
- CountyGilmer County (county seat)
- Population, 2020 Census1,862U.S. Census Bureau
- Elevation1,288 ftUSGS elevation at the town centre
- From downtown Atlantaabout 1 h 33 minby road, no traffic
What to know about Ellijay
- Ellijay was incorporated on December 29, 1834, and named the county seat of Gilmer County. City of Ellijay
- Ellijay sits where the Ellijay and Cartecay rivers join to form the Coosawattee River. City of Ellijay
- The 1833 town plan for Ellijay laid out twenty lots, streets and a public square. City of Ellijay
- By 1900, every building on the Ellijay town square was brick. City of Ellijay
- Ellijay is the historic county seat of Gilmer County, the Apple Capital of Georgia, and an Appalachian Trail Community. City of Ellijay
- Gilmer County orchards harvest more than 22 apple varieties from June through November. Gilmer Chamber
- B.J. Reece Orchards offers U-pick apples, a bakery, a petting farm and pony rides. Gilmer Chamber
- The Georgia Apple Festival is held over two weekends in October in Ellijay and East Ellijay. Georgia Apple Festival
- The Gilmer County Fair is held each August at the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds. Gilmer Chamber
- Gilmer County calls itself both the Apple Capital and the Mountain Bike Capital of Georgia. Gilmer Chamber
- The Gilmer Chamber says the area has 16 wineries and vineyards, plus distilleries, hard cideries and breweries. Gilmer Chamber
- The Gilmer Downtown Welcome Center is at 10 Broad Street, Ellijay. Gilmer Chamber
Coming up in Ellijay
Merry Mountain Town Festival
Organizer date for 2026The second annual Merry Mountain Town Festival opens the holiday season in downtown Ellijay on the day after Thanksgiving. The chamber lists arts and crafts, food and drink, and family activities. Further details have not been posted yet.
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Free Source: Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce, checked 2026-10-19
Surrender Hill and Friends Thanksgiving Weekend Show
Organizer date for 2026Americana duo Surrender Hill and guests play a Thanksgiving-weekend concert presented by Gilmer Arts. The show is at the Gilmer Arts Playhouse in downtown Ellijay. Tickets are listed at $31.30.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
$31.30 Source: Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce, checked 2026-10-19
Gilmer Arts Community Chorus Christmas Concert
Organizer date for 2026The Gilmer Arts Community Chorus sings holiday favourites under several local conductors. The concert is in the new Performing Arts Theater at Gilmer County High School. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
$5 students; $10 adults Source: Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce, checked 2026-10-19
Every North Georgia event in the finder
How far is Ellijay?
Drive times by road
| Town | Atlanta | Alpharetta | Marietta | Lawrenceville | Athens | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellijay | about 1 h 33 min78 mi | about 1 h 18 min56 mi | about 1 h 14 min61 mi | about 1 h 47 min73 mi | about 2 h 15 min93 mi | about 1 h 31 min68 mi |
Computed 2026-10-19 with the OSRM router on OpenStreetMap data, town centre to town centre. free-flow driving time, no traffic
Visitor information
Gilmer Downtown Welcome Center, 10 Broad Street, Ellijay, GA 30540. Official visitor site
For downtown Ellijay, close to where the Ellijay and Cartecay rivers meet, read Downtown Ellijay.
Towns near Ellijay
- Blue Ridge about 15 mi straight-line
- Jasper about 16 mi straight-line
- Ball Ground about 25 mi straight-line
Dates, times and rules can change. Each listing links the organizer or local government page it came from, with the date we checked it; confirm there before you go.
