Banks County Georgia
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COMMUNITY OVERVIEW & RESOURCES

Demographics

Banks County (2009)

Population:  16,388

Avg. Household Income:  $51,256

Source: www.factfinder.census.gov

 

 




Labor (2009)

County Labor Force: 7,881

Employed: 7,379

Unemployment Rate: 6.4%

Source: www.factfinder.census.gov


 

 


Geography & Transportation

County land area:
          234 Sq. Mi.
   
Transportation:      
             
     US 441
 
     I-85
 
     Norfolk Southern Rail      

 


Households (2009) 

Total households:  5,813
 
Average Household size:  2.82
 
Average Family size:  3.29
 
Family households:  4,337
 
Married-couple families:  3,701
 
  Place of Birth (2009)
 
     Native:  97% 
                                    
     Born in US:  96.7 %
     Born abroad to
     American parents:  .3%
     Foreign born:  3.0%
  
 
 
     Source: www.factfinder.census.gov 
 


Economy (2009)

2009 Median Household Income $41,039
2009 Persons Below Poverty Level 14.8%
2009 Employed Population 16+ by Industry 7,379
2009 Top Employment Industries in Banks County
          20% Manufacturing
          15% Educational services; health care and social assistance
          13% Retail trade
          12% Construction
 

Educational Attainment (2009)
(Population 25 years and over)
                    Less than 9th grade:  10.6%
                    9th - 12th grade, no diploma:  17.7%
                    High school graduate (includes equivalency):  42.3%
                    Some college, no degree:  15.8%
                    Associate's degree:  4.0%
                    Bachelor's degree:  5.7%
                    Graduate or professional degree:  3.9%

Education
        Banks County School System:  706-677-2224
Banks County High School:  706-677-2221

       Banks County Elementary School:  706-677-2308
 
Banks County Middle School:  706-677-2277

Banks County Primary School:  706-677-2241

                         Extended Education (Miles from Homer) 

                    Gainesville College 25 miles
Brenau University 25 miles
Lanier Technical College 25 miles
Piedmont College 20 miles
Emmanuel College 30 miles
University of Georgia 31 miles
Athens Technical College 31 miles
                          


Electric Power


Georgia Power Company
706-367-8383
Jackson EMC 706-367-5281


Telephone Service

Windstream
800-501-1754


Television


Windstream 800-251-6412
Cable Magic 706-677-2246
Direct Satellite TV 678-714-1495


                   Emergency Contact Information

For emergencies dial 911

Additional Contact Information:
For emergencies dialAdditional Contact Information:
For emergencies dialAdditional Contact Information:

Banks County Fire Department 706-677-1812
Banks County Sheriff's Office 706-677-2248
Banks County Ambulance Office 706-677-4081
                         
                         Health Care Facilities

Banks County Health Department 706-677-2296
BJC Medical Center (Commerce) 706-335-1000     
Homer Family Medicine (Homer) 706-677-2250  
NE Georgia Medical Center (Gainesville) 770-535-3553
Athens Regional Medical Center (Athens) 706-549-9977
Barrow Medical Center (Winder) 770-867-3400
St. Mary's Hospital (Athens) 706-548-7581


                                                                                     Airport Accessibility 

      
Hartsfield International Airport - Atlanta 77 miles  Major Commercial Terminal 404-530-6600
Habersham County Airport - Cornelia 13 miles  General Aviation 706-778-9978 Rwy 6-24 4200' GPS RNAV, VOR/DME, NDB
Jackson County Airport (19A) -Jefferson 28 miles  General Aviation 706-367-5794 Rwy 16-34 4108' NDB, VOR/DME
Lee Gilmer Airport (GVL) - Gainsville 27 miles General Aviation 770-532-4136 Rwy 4-22 5004' LOC, NDB, GPS RNAV 
Athens Ben Epps Airport (AHN) - ATHENS 35 MILES  Commercial and General Aviation Terminal 706-613-3420
U.S. Airways Terminal Rwy 9-27 5522' NDB, VOR/DME RNAV, ILS LOC, GPS RNAV, VOR

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

If you are looking for a place to grow your business, Banks County is the right place. Located in the hottest growth corridor of the Southeast, Banks County is well situated for economic prosperity. With U.S. Highway 441, Interstate 85, and Norfolk Southern Railroad running through the county and Interstate 985 very close to the western side of the county, transportation is a very important asset to the future of Banks County. With a progressive county government, the business climate is very favorable for commercial and industrial growth.

Banks county has two exits off I-85:

U.S. Highway 441 at exit 149 (Banks Crossing) - This exit will take you to the Banks County Business Park which has over 30 acres of privately owned land with water, sewer, gas and electric infrastructure in place. The exit is also the location of one of the most visited outlet centers in the South, over 150 outlet stores, 900 hotel rooms, 30 restaurants, racing and golf.

GA Highway 63 at exit 154 (Martin Bridge Road) - A Land Use Plan outlining the best development recommendations for this exit is currently being implemented for over 3,000 acres of prime land. The plan recommends a mixed-use area accommodating commercial, industrial and residential in a compatible environment. A 12 inch water line is in place, and a land application sewer system is underway which will provide all of the infrastructure for this area. Preserving the environment, trees, streams and rivers is a key goal of this plan.

Historically, the county has had an agribusiness economy based on poultry and cattle production. The efforts of the county leaders will be to protect this agriculture-based economy while at the same time supporting quality, controlled growth to provide Banks County citizens with jobs and secure a bright future for generations to come.