Community Demographic Data
Watkinsville ● Bishop ● Bogart ● North High Shoals ● Oconee County
O
conee County is home to over 35,000 residents and covers
185 square miles in the northeast Georgia region known as
the Historic Heartland. With Antebellum homes, downtown
shops, and miles of rolling farmland, Oconee County retains the
feel of a small town community with all the advantages of a big
city. In fact, Oconee County has been recognized as one of the
best counties in Georgia for its quality of life, public school
system, and parks and recreation programming.
While renowned for its excellent quality of life, Oconee County is also a great place to do
business. Over 1,300 businesses call Oconee County home, including a number of Fortune
500 companies, headquarter operations, and international exporters. Located only 10 miles
from Athens and 60 miles east of Atlanta, Oconee County’s economic development efforts are
regional in nature. In recent years Oconee has collaborated with Athens-Clarke County to
bring Caterpillar to the region, which to date has created over 1,700 jobs and $159 million in
public and private investment within the Oconee County region.
The Oconee County School System has achieved significant accolades over recent years and
continues to be recognized as one of the top school systems in Georgia. In 2014 the Georgia
Dept. of Education ranked Oconee County Schools as the top school district in the state based
on the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). With a combined score of 90.5
for all county schools, Oconee County was the only system (out of 180) in Georgia to receive
an “A” rating on the CCRPI. Additionally, Oconee County’s graduation rate of 93.6% is one of
the highest in the state and has the 2nd highest composite ACT scores of all state high schools.
Oconee County’s location within the Atlanta/Athens transportation corridor, pro-business
climate, strategic partnerships, excellent school system, and proximity to the University of
Georgia, University of North Georgia, and Athens Technical College provide ample
opportunities for both residents and businesses to thrive. For more information, please
contact the Oconee County Economic Development Department by calling (706) 769-5120.
Photograph by Greg Newington
Oconee County was founded on February 25, 1875. Originally part of
Clarke County, Oconee was named for the river which forms its eastern boundary. Oconee comes from the Native American word meaning “spring of the hills.” The Oconee County Courthouse (left) was
constructed in 1939 after the old courthouse burned down in 1938. It
was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1984.
Oconee County is comprised of four cities: Bishop, Bogart,
North High Shoals, and Watkinsville. Watkinsville (right) was
incorporated on November 24, 1806, and has served as the
county seat since 1875. It has a population of 2,832 and median
age of 34.3 according to the U.S. Census. Known as the
“Artland of Georgia,” Watkinsville is a major regional hub for
artists and creative entrepreneurs. Exhibits such as the annual
Perspectives on Pottery invitational are a huge regional draw
for local artisans and promote investment within the city.
Population & Income
County Population
35,093
Percent Increase (2000-2014)
33.8%
Population Density (sq mi.)
178.0
Number of Families
9,875
Average Household Income
$100,659
Median Household Income
$76,412
Per Capita Personal Income
$58,373
Per Capita Personal Income
Average Annual % Change (2000-2013): 7.1%
Employment
Average Annual Growth Rate (2000-2013): 8.6%
Population
2025 Projected Population: 56,412
Source: Selig Center for Economic Growth - UGA
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Research360
Population by Age
Less Than High School : 8.0%
Age 5-14
5,091
15.0%
Age 15-24
4,919
14.5%
High School Graduate: 16.4%
Age 25-34
3,128
9.2%
Some College (No Degree): 21.8%
Age 35-44
4,456
13.1%
Associate’s Degree: 6.9%
Age 45-54
5,199
15.3%
Age 55-64
4,673
13.8%
Age 65+
4,763
14.0%
Source: Research360
Bachelor’s Degree: 21.9%
Graduate/Professional Degree: 22.0%
Source: Esri, Population Age 25+ (2015)
23 N. Main Street • P.O. Box 145 • Watkinsville, GA 30677 • (706) 769-5120 • www.businessinoconee.com
Regional Labor Force - March 2016
County
Labor
Force
Unemployed Rate
Oconee
17,967
712
4.0%
Barrow
36,152
1,695
4.7%
Clarke
58,118
3,015
5.2%
Greene
6,452
413
6.4%
Jackson
31,225
1,393
4.5%
Morgan
8,683
444
5.1%
Oglethorpe
6,962
337
4.8%
Walton
42,555
2,071
4.9%
Region
208,114
10,080
4.9%
Source: Georgia Department of Labor
Percentage of Labor Force by Sector
Average County Wages
Wage/
Hour
Wage/
Year
Professional/Management
$34.57
$71,916
Production/Manufacturing
$16.63
$34,599
Goods and Services
$16.91
$35,181
5.4%
Transportation
$14.35
$29,852
5.1%
Healthcare
$31.45
$65,418
Retail Trade
13.5%
Accommodation and Food Services
11.4%
Healthcare and Social Assistance
11.1%
Professional/Scientific/Technical Services
6.5%
Remediation/Waste Management Services
Educational Services
Source: Georgia Department of Labor - Local Area Profile
Commuting Inflow of Labor Force
Occupation
Source: Georgia Dept. of Labor - 2013 Occupational Wages
Largest Private Sector Employers
Caterpillar
1,726
Benson’s Bakery
315
St. Mary’s Health Care System
300
Wal-Mart
300
Zaxby’s Headquarters
250
Information Technology Services
200
Industrial Mechanical Inc.
190
Lowe’s
185
23 N. Main Street • P.O. Box 145 • Watkinsville, GA 30677 • (706) 769-5120 • www.businessinoconee.com
Oconee County is known to be a community where individuals genuinely enjoy living as evidenced by
its exceptional quality of life and numerous community accolades. The website Niche recognized
Oconee County as the “Best County in Georgia to Live” based on their 2015 Local Rankings, which
compiled statistics on every neighborhood and city in America. Georgia Trend recognized Oconee
County in 2013 for its forward-thinking planning process, as well as its Parks and Recreation Department programming. Additionally, the community received the 2012 Georgia Economic Developers’
Association “Deal of the Year” award for the successful recruitment of Caterpillar. Watkinsville was
also named by American Style as a “Top 25 Arts Community.” With a growing list of accolades and
achievements, Oconee County is an ideal location for you, your family, and your business.
Quality of Life Index
(National Average = 100)
172
Source: clrsearch.com
Total Crime Risk Index
(State Average = 92)
36
Source: clrsearch.com
Median Home
Sales Price
% of Pop. with Bachelor’s
Degree or Higher
Annual Tourist
Spending (2014)
$238,200
44.1%
$38.2 million
Source: U.S. Census
Source: Georgia County Guide
Source: Georgia Dept. of
Economic Development
Average Annual
Temperature
Number of
Restaurants
Average Travel Time
to Work (in min.)
61.1° F
60
24.3
Source: clrsearch.com
Parks facilities such as Oconee
Veterans Park (below) are used
frequently by our citizens. Last
year there were 5,500 participants
for recreational programs supported by Oconee C0. Parks & Rec.
Quality healthcare is provided to
residents throughout the county.
Class A medical office parks like
Resurgence Park (above) offer a
variety of medical services and
treatment options to all patients.
Source: U.S. Census
Oconee County was recognized by the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation in 2016 as being
the 2nd Healthiest County in Georgia. The
healthcare industry continues to grow as new
medical practices are emerging along the
Highway 316 corridor in northeast Oconee.
Our parks and recreation programming and
facilities also play a vital role in enriching the
quality of life for our citizens by promoting
healthy lifestyles. There are over 630 acres of
parks/recreation space available within the
community as well as several golf courses
and miles of picturesque biking trails.
23 N. Main Street • P.O. Box 145 • Watkinsville, GA 30677 • (706) 769-5120 • www.businessinoconee.com
The mission of the Oconee County School System is to provide a safe and challenging
learning environment that inspires all students to capture their dreams. This is primarily
accomplished by improving student achievement as evidenced through local, state, and
national assessments by engaging all students in rigorous and relevant tasks that are
differentiated to allow all learners to meet and exceed the Georgia Performance Standards.
Realizing that the world around us is ever-changing, the Oconee County School System
actively engage business and industry, as well as institutions of higher learning, to ensure
that its preparation provides the hands-on skills needed for OCS students to successfully
transition to career and college readiness.
7,271 students enrolled across 10 schools
Ranked #1 in Georgia in College & Career Ready Performance Index
Composite SAT score of 1580 is 2nd highest of all Georgia school districts
High school graduation rate of 93.6% (highest grad. rate in county history)
Composite ACT score of 23.6 (2nd highest composite scores in Georgia)
Ranked as the 16th best county school system in the U.S. by Niche.com
There are also three distinguished private schools in Oconee County that offer both classical
and parochial educational opportunities for the community: Athens Academy, Prince Avenue
Christian School, and Westminster Christian Academy. These esteemed schools also add
high-quality educational and extra-curricular opportunities for students of all grade levels.
Athens Academy
1281 Spartan Lane
Athens, GA 30606
www.athensacademy.org
Prince Avenue Christian School
2201 Ruth Jackson Road
Bogart, GA 30622
www.princeave.org
Westminster Christian Academy
1640 New High Shoals Road
Watkinsville, GA 30677
www.wcalions.org
23 N. Main Street • P.O. Box 145 • Watkinsville, GA 30677 • (706) 769-5120 • www.businessinoconee.com
Colham Ferry Elementary School
High Shoals Elementary School
191 Colham Ferry Road
Watkinsville, GA 30677
(706) 769-7764
Principal: Keith Carter
Enrollment: 516
401 Hopping Road
Bishop, GA 30621
(706) 310-1985
Principal: Michael Eddy
Enrollment: 469
Malcom Bridge Elementary School
Rocky Branch Elementary School
2600 Malcom Bridge Road
Bogart, GA 30622
(706) 310-1998
Principal: Susan Stancil
Enrollment: 565
4520 Hog Mountain Road
Watkinsville, GA 30677
(706) 769-3235
Principal: Dr. Evelyn Wages
Enrollment: 680
Oconee County Elementary School
Oconee County Primary School
2230 Hog Mountain Road
Watkinsville, GA 30677
(706) 769-7791
Principal: Ashley Templeton
Enrollment: 445
2290 Hog Mountain Road
Watkinsville, GA 30677
(706) 769-7941
Principal: Julie Patrick
Enrollment: 381
Oconee County Middle School
Malcom Bridge Middle School
1101 Mars Hill Road
Watkinsville, GA 30677
(706) 769-3575
Principal: Dr. Suzanne Miller
Enrollment: 824
2500 Malcom Bridge Road
Bogart, GA 30622
(706) 310-1992
Principal: Billy Heaton
Enrollment: 908
Oconee County High School
North Oconee High School
2721 Hog Mountain Road
Watkinsville, GA 30677
(706) 769-6655
Principal: Ben Wiggins
Enrollment: 1,115
1081 Rocky Branch Road
Bogart, GA 30622
(706) 769-7760
Principal: Dr. Phillip Brown
Enrollment: 1,226
For additional information on schools and which school district your child is in, please contact the
Oconee County Board of Education at (706) 769-5130 or visit www.oconeeschools.org
The presence of four federal highways and seven state highways makes Oconee County accessible to
major markets in Georgia as well as the Southeast. With Hwy. 316 connecting Oconee County to I-85
outside Atlanta, residents are within close proximity of major retail shops, healthcare providers,
recreational and leisure facilities, commercial airports, and institutions of higher learning. Listed
below are the distances from Watkinsville to points of interest around the state and region:
Major Cities
Airports
Colleges/Universities
Athens, GA
10 mi.
Athens-Ben Epps Airport
12 mi.
Univ. of North Georgia
1.6 mi.
Atlanta, GA
68 mi.
Barrow-Winder Airport
20 mi.
University of Georgia
7.4 mi.
Macon, GA
75 mi.
Gwinnett County Airport
38 mi.
Piedmont College-Athens 8.1 mi.
Augusta, GA
115 mi.
Hartsfield-Jackson Int’l (Atlanta)
72 mi.
Athens Technical College
Columbia, SC
180 mi.
Charlotte, NC
209 mi.
12 mi.
Georgia Gwinnett College 38 mi.
Hospitals
Emory University
62 mi.
Birmingham, AL 216 mi.
St. Mary’s Healthcare System
7.6 mi.
Georgia College
65 mi.
Savannah, GA
248 mi.
Athens Regional Medical Center
10 mi.
Georgia Inst. of Tech.
67 mi.
Charleston, SC
259 mi.
Barrow Regional Medical Center
23 mi.
Georgia State University
70 mi.
Nashville, TN
306 mi.
Gwinnett Medical Center
39 mi.
Kennesaw State Univ.
80 mi.