For pre-formatted natality & mortality data please see Vital Statistics Reports (VSR).

For other health data resources please see the Health Data & Info section.

Health Care
Gilmer County had 5.4 licensed nursing home beds per 100 persons in 1999, compared with the state average of 5.5 per 100 persons. In 1999, the number of physicians in the county per 10,000 persons was 9.1, compared to the state average of 19.3. For more community indicators, please go to OASIS .

History*

Gilmer County was created in 1832 from part of Cherokee County. Georgia's 84th county was named for George Rockingham Gilmer, a state legislator, member of Congress, and Georgia governor.

The county seat of Gilmer County is Ellijay. The county has one additional incorporated community, East Ellijay. Ellijay was the site of an Indian village and bears an Indian name meaning "earth green there." Cherokee Indians lived in this area until their removal to Oklahoma in 1838 via the "Trail of Tears."

Nearly half the territory of Gilmer County is within the Chattahoochee National Forest and is protected from development by the Federal Government.