Peacefulness, tranquility, community spirit - these are only a few of the reasons why 100,000 people have chosen Hall County as home. With a rich heritage, dating back to an act of the Georgia Legislature on December 15, 1818, Hall Countians have worked together to build a place of quality living for today and many generations to come.

Growth was slow in the beginning, but the discovery of gold in neighboring Lumpkin County stimulated trade and construction. By 1850, Hall County had a population of 8,600 and in 1871 the arrival of the area's first railroad brought economic fortunes to the region. Touted as a resort center, tourists were drawn to the area by the cool summer climate, healing springs and fine hotels. By the late 1800's manufacturing activities were becoming abundant. Churches, academies and seminaries were also being built. In 1878, Brenau College was established and quickly became a major community asset.

During the Depression, Hall County slowed its production level until a man named Jesse Jewell introduced a technique for the mass processing of chickens. Eventually Hall County became the national leader in the production of frozen broilers.

The greatest impact to this county was the construction of Lake Sidney Lanier by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1957. It covers approximately 38,000 acres, with a total of approximately 538 miles of shoreline. The 25,000 acres which are located in Hall County make up 380 miles of beautiful shoreline. Today the lake has around 16 million visitors every year. Many people reside on the lake or in the secluded neighborhoods surrounding it. No matter where Hall County's residents live, a sense of civic pride is evident in the more than 100 civic and service clubs which provide such an energy to this thriving area.

Hall County is made up of 10 communities which offer residents, both new and old, a wide variety of lifestyle choices.

Gainesville, the county seat, continues to be the business, commercial , cultural and health care leader for Northeast Georgia. although only 18,000 people reside in the city limits of Gainesville, it services almost 200,000 people in a 40 mile radius which reaches beyond Hall County. Gainesville is located 53 miles Northeast of Atlanta with easy access for I-85 via I-985. I-985 exits 20, 22 and 24 provice easy access into the downtown area.

Flowery Branch is located off I-985 as you enter Hall County from Gwinnett County. The 1200 residents enjoy life in this peaceful community surrounded by Lake Lanier. Although a small community, Flowery Branch is home to national and international plants such as Wrigley's, Glidden Paints, Reliance Electric and Avery Dennison Label Company. I-985 exit 12 is the primary access route into Flowery Branch from the interstate highway. The NFL Atlanta Falcons chose Flowery Branch as the new site for their administrative and training complex in 1999 and moved into their new facilities on 56 acres just off I-985 in the summer of 2000.

Oakwood is neighbor to Flowery Branch and is the fastest growing community in the county. the 1500 residents of Oakwood have witnessed a tremendous surge of motels, restaurants and retail establishments in the last decade. An Urgent Care Health Center, Gainesville College and Lanier Technical Institute are located in Oakwood. Oakwood's primary access from I-985 is exit 16.

Lula emerged as a mining and agricultural center in 1877 and today is home to 1,000 citizens who primarily commute to work in surrounding towns. Many of the original buildings in the town remain, nurtured by the residents who have undertaken a revitalization effort for the community.

Gillsville is a cozy community where most residents have lived since birth. it sits on the Hall and Banks County line. Home to a few major pottery manufacturers, several of the towns 113 citizens work at the pottery or the local sewing plant.

Clermont was incorporated in 1913 but dates back to a settlement which located there around 1820. Atlantans used to get away to the local Clermont Hotel via a passenger train ride. Today a population of 402 make up the tranquil farming community.

Murrayville is an unincorporated community in north Hall County sitting on Highway 60 which leads into Lumpkin County. This quiet community gets busy during the fall when the leaf-watchers pass through headed toward the mountains. The boiled peanut stands and local merchants all located on the main highway exemplify how small town living still exists.

Chicopee is located in south Hall County and was named for one of the county's most important corporate citizens, Chicopee Manufacturing, a division of Johnson & Johnson, which began here in 1927. In the 1920's they constructed a self-contained village with homes, schools, churches, medical facilities and retail stores. Today, almost 1,000 people live in this community which now boasts Chicopee Woods Golf Club, a beautiful new recreational area.

New Holland was built in 1907 for 225 families who worked for the textile firm, Pacolet Manufacturing. Today, the architectural history of the community and mills have been maintained to preserve the sense of history for future generations.

Hall, Gwinnett, Forsyth and Dawson Counties all border Lake Lanier. The lake, with its recreational appeal and the industries it has attracted, are the primary reason why Hall County's personal income has reached the $1.52 billion mark. That ranked the county as the 27th richest county outside a metro area in the United States. According to American Demographics Magazine, only 130 non-metropolitan counties in the nation have residents whose combined incomes exceed $1 billion.

Hall County is governed by a commission with four district representatives and an at-large chairman. Commissioners are elected for staggered four year terms. A county administrator and assistant county administrator, appointed by the commission, carry out day-to-day government operations. All meetings and work sessions are held in the Hall County Government and Education Building, 711 Green Street.

The City of Gainesville is governed by a five member council which includes a mayor and mayor pro tem selected by council members. A city manager, appointed by the council, administers day-to-day government operations. Meetings are held at the Georgia Mountain Center and work sessions are held in the city manager's office in the Joint Administration Building, 301 Green Street. Gainesville property owners will pay 2.94 mills of property tax to fund a $13.2 million general government budget in fiscal year 1995, and another 6.81 mills for a city school budget of $19.6 million. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. In Gainesville, where homes are assessed at 100 percent of their appraised value, the owner of a $100,000 home would pay $975 in city property taxes. Of that $975, $681 goes for schools, $202 for general government services, $75 for parks and recreation and $17 for debt service.

In addition to city property taxes, Gainesville property owners pay Hall County ad valorem taxes of 7.67 mills, which is the total 22.97 for county property owners, less .68 mills for fire tax and 14.62 mills for school tax since those services are provided by the city government. so, in addition to city taxes of $975, the above described city resident would also pay county tax of $306.80 - 7.67 mills on a $40,000 assessment. The county assesses taxes based on 40 percent of appraised property values.

Hall County's 1995 fiscal year budget is $125.7 million, which includes the county government and school board budgets. Hall County taxpayers will pay a total ad valorem tax of 22.97 mills - 8.1 mills for the general budget, 14.62 mills for the schools and .25 mills assessed to all taxpayers by the state. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value, so a person with a home valued at $100,000 and assessed at 40 percent - $40,000 - would pay property taxes of $918.80. Here's a look at how the spending plans break down:

$82.2 million - 65.4% for the Hall County Board of Education.

$35.2 million - 28% for the general fund.

$4.1 million - 3.3% for fire service.

$828,115 - 0.66% for enhanced 911 service.

$2.9 million - 2.3% for landfill operations.

$295,037 - 0.24% for the parks fund.

Hall County has long been considered the hub of retail, industrial and manufacturing activity in Northeast Georgia. Over the past decade, more than 50 new industries have moved to Hall County, creating over 5,000 jobs. The diversified economic community ranges from farming, poultry and related industries to a wide variety of manufacturing and retail companies. Wrigley's chewing gum is manufactured in Hall County and the Glidden plant is one of the most modern paint facilities in the world. The automotive industry has discovered Hall County as a quality manufacturing location. ZUA Autoparts located here in 1987, followed by Hayes Wheels and Seimens Automotive. Still, the largest single industry in Northeast Georgia is the poultry industry. Major league sports is now represented by the presence of the NFL Atlanta Falcons, whose administrative and training complex located on a new 56-acre site in Flowery Branch in 2000. 

Hall County is a true education center. A child may enter kindergarten and go through 4 years of college - even earn a Masters Degree -  without leaving the county.

The Gainesville City Schools had a total enrollment of 3,012 divided among 5 schools during the 1994-95 school year. Three elementary schools, 2 with grades K-3 and 1 with grades 4-5, one middle school (grades 6-8) and one high school comprise the city school system. The headquarters are located at 850 Century Place adjacent to Centennial Elementary. The phone number is 770- 536-5275.

The Hall County School System had a 1994 enrollment of 16,071 students. A full day kindergarten program is offered at each of the 16 elementary schools (K-5), 4 middle schools offer high quality academic courses, and all 4 high schools offer traditional as well as industrial and trade courses. Hall County School Superintendent's office is located at 711 Green Street. The phone number is 770-534-1080.

Private education is also available in Hall County.

Lakeview Academy has a program for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The regular curriculum includes activities that in many schools are offered only to gifted students. For further information contact the Headmaster, at 770-532-4383.

Riverside Military Academy is a noted college preparatory school for boys, with a military program supervised by the Department of the Army. For more information contact Riverside at 770-532-6251. 

Marantha Christian Academy offers a Christian educational program for grades K through 12. Located in Oakwood, the telephone number is 770-536-6334.

Westminister Christian School offers high academic and spiritual standards to families in Gainesville and Northeast Georgia. Instruction offered from pre-K through 7th grade. Located in Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Gainesville, the phone number is 770-534-1081.

Brenau Academy, the only all-woman preparatory academy in Georgia,  is a residential college-preparatory high school for young women offering small classes with a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Located on the campus of Brenau University in downtown Gainesville, the telephone number is 770-534-6299.

Hall County is fortunate to have 3 major institutions of higher education:

Brenau University is a private institution made up of three divisions - the Women's College, The University Students for Evening and Weekend Programs and The Academy. The Women's College, which enrolls about 500 students, offers majors in 30 fields to an all-woman undergraduate student body. The Hall School of Nursing, affiliated with Brenau and Northeast Georgia Medical Center offers the 4 year B.S. degree in Nursing. Both men and women attend evening and weekend programs at the University, which enrolls about 1700 students. Students can earn bachelor's or master's degrees.

Gainesville College, the only Georgia University System 2-year college northeast of Atlanta is set upon a 225 acre campus in Oakwood. The college offers a wide range of programs, including associate of arts or science degrees and continuing education. The average enrollment is 2500.

Hall County is the health care center for a 20 county area, therefore, our citizens are fortunate to benefit from an abundance of excellent health care facilities and providers.

Northeast Georgia Medical Center is a non-profit regional referral hospital that serves 20 counties in the northeast Georgia area. They currently have 220 physicians and 338 beds. NEGMC has a short-term convalescent center or transitional care unit with approximately 15 beds. A variety of patient and family education classes are offered on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The Emergency Room serves as a referral trauma center. The hospital is located on Jesse Jewell Parkway in Gainesville. 770-531-3840.

Lanier Park Hospital is a general acute medical and surgical facility built with private capital and operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hospital Corporation of America, the largest organization of investor-owned hospitals in the world. Lanier Park has 124 beds and has over 340 employees with more than 100 physicians representing a full range of specialties. The hospital is on White Sulphur Road, off Limestone Parkway in Gainesville. 770- 503-3000.

The Hall County Health Department, offering several tests and screenings, is located in the Community Development Center in Gainesville. Services include immunizations, disease prevention, children's physicals, prenatal health and special services for medically indigent families. For more information contact the Health Department at 430 Prior Street. 770- 531-5600.

Mental Health services are available at Laurelwood, part of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, and the Hall County Mental Health Department. The facilities treat substance abuse, and offer individual, family and marriage counseling. They provide assistance for adults and children.

The Hall County Medical Society helps people pinpoint specialists and primary physicians in the county. Hall County also has a medical community consisting of over 15 chiropractors and more than 50 dentists and orthodontists.