Nelson is a city in Pickens and Cherokee Counties, Georgia, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 1,145. It is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Nelson, Georgia | |
|---|---|
 Nelson city hall | |
 Seal  Logo | |
 Location in Pickens County and the state of Georgia | |
| Coordinates: 34°22′54″N 84°22′17″W / 34.38167°N 84.37139°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| Counties | Pickens, Cherokee |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.53 sq mi (3.97 km2) |
| • Land | 1.52 sq mi (3.95 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,237 ft (377 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,145 |
| • Density | 751.31/sq mi (290.11/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 30151 |
| Area code | 770 |
| FIPS code | 13-54572[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0319244[3] |
| Website | https://www.nelsongeorgia.com/ |
History
editThe city is named for John Nelson, an early landowner, farmer, and rifle maker.[4] The Georgia General Assembly incorporated Nelson as a town in 1891.[5]
The area possesses substantial deposits of marble. The railway construction in 1883 made the development of large-scale quarries possible. The quality of the marble has made it favored for federal monuments.[6]
On April 1, 2013, the city council unanimously approved the "Family Protection Ordinance". Every head of household must own a gun and ammunition to "provide for the emergency management of the city" and to "provide for and protect the safety, security, and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants." Residents are not required to buy one if they do not have one, and the ordinance does not penalize anyone who does not comply. Convicted felons are exempt.[7]
Geography
editNelson is located on the border of Pickens and Cherokee Counties at 34°22′54″N 84°22′17″W / 34.38167°N 84.37139°W (34.381562, -84.371303).[8] The original city center is located in Pickens County, but the city limits have recently expanded southward so that more of the city is now located in Cherokee County.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.8 km2), of which 0.008 square miles (0.02 km2), or 0.56%, is covered by water.[9]
Nelson is served through its downtown by the Georgia Northeastern Railroad, and by Canton Road, the town's main street and the former route of Georgia State Route 5. South on old 5 is Ball Ground, and north is Tate. The north end of Interstate 575 and south end of State Route 515 are at the county line just to the west of Nelson. I-575 leads south 52 miles (84 km) to Atlanta, and SR 515 leads north 26 miles (42 km) to Ellijay.
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 266 | — | |
| 1900 | 254 | −4.5% | |
| 1910 | 550 | 116.5% | |
| 1920 | 511 | −7.1% | |
| 1930 | 798 | 56.2% | |
| 1940 | 679 | −14.9% | |
| 1950 | 645 | −5.0% | |
| 1960 | 658 | 2.0% | |
| 1970 | 613 | −6.8% | |
| 1980 | 562 | −8.3% | |
| 1990 | 486 | −13.5% | |
| 2000 | 626 | 28.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,314 | 109.9% | |
| 2020 | 1,145 | −12.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] | |||
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 1,018 | 88.91% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 28 | 2.45% |
| Native American | 3 | 0.26% |
| Asian | 2 | 0.17% |
| Other/Mixed | 46 | 4.02% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 48 | 4.19% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,145 people, 523 households, and 383 families residing in the city.
Notable person
edit- Claude Akins, actor
References
edit- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Nelson, Georgia
- ^ Acts Passed by the General Assembly of Georgia. J. Johnston. 1892. p. 742.
- ^ "About Nelson - Welcome to Nelson, Georgia". www.nelsongeorgia.com. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
- ^ "GA. City Council Votes to Require Gun Ownership". AP. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Nelson city, Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2021.