Camilla is a small Southwest Georgia city known for its Gnat Festival
Camilla is a small city tucked within southwest Georgia’s peanut fields, about 30 miles south of Albany. As the seat of Mitchell County, it serves as a hub for surrounding rural communities like Adelaide and Petty. Home to just 5,000 residents, Camilla is best known for its Gnat Days Festival, an annual tradition that dates to the 1980s. “They’re a tiny, tiny town, but they’re trying to make a difference,” says Lisa Davis, a real estate professional with 30 years of local experience and owner of The Brokerage Real Estate Company. “They’re doing some renovations, building a new recreation area. And people go there for the Gnat Days Festival.”
Homes date to the late 20th century and occupy spacious lots
Most homes in Camilla were built between 1950 and 1990 on spacious lots. Some properties outside the town center include several acres of land. Residential streets are narrow, and sidewalks are rare outside the central section of town, making it difficult to get around on foot. Fields, forests and farmland stretch out for miles alongside the highways outside the town center. Fixer-uppers and investment properties start around $50,000 to $100,000, while small ranch-style homes cost $125,000 to $250,000. Larger well-maintained builds are typically priced from $250,000 to $400,000.
Mitchell County Parks and Recreation maintains outdoor spaces
Camilla offers residents plenty of opportunities to get outside and move around. The Mitchell County Tennis Center is a nine-court facility that hosts youth and adult leagues. The county’s parks and recreation department maintains baseball, softball and soccer fields, a football stadium and a walking track. Guests at the CoveyRise Plantation can embark on guided quail hunting trips on the banks of the Flint River. The City of Camilla Resource Center held its ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening in February 2025. Originally designed as the permanent home for the Boys & Girls Club of Mitchell County, the facility also functions as a community space for older residents.
Gnat Days Festival descends on Camilla in May
Camilla’s roster of seasonal events includes a chili cook-off in October, a Christmas parade and April’s Camilla Pro Invitational Tennis Tournament, nicknamed “The Thrilla in Camilla.” But the crown jewel of the social calendar is the Gnat Days Festival, typically held on the first weekend in May. The two-day tribute to the pesky insect kicks off with a 5K competition and continues with bike races, pet shows and live entertainment. Though clouds of gnats descend on Camilla in spring and summer, the situation could be worse, as Davis points out. “We have a lot of gnats, for sure, but at least the gnats don’t bite. They just don’t go away,” says the lifelong Georgia resident.
Career, Technical and Agricultural Education at Mitchell County High
Students start at Mitchell County Primary School before moving to Mitchell County Elementary School for grades 3 to 5. The primary school receives a C from Niche, while the elementary school receives a C-minus. Mitchell County Middle School is rated C, and Mitchell County High School is rated B-minus. High school students can prepare for their next steps by participating in the Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program. Camilla is also home to Westwood Schools, a private Christian school that receives an A-minus from Niche. Degrees in biblical studies, practical study, and theology are available from Andersonville Theological Seminary.
Trading posts, restaurants and groceries in downtown Camilla
Crepe myrtles accent the sidewalks and brick buildings in downtown Camilla, where residents find a handful of shops, trading posts and locally owned restaurants. Hendricks & Hays IGA is a convenient grocery option steps away from the downtown area. Along U.S. Highway 19 on the eastern side of town, fast-food chains, diners and dollar stores flank Walmart Supercenter and Marvin’s hardware store.
Highways connect Camilla to the rest of Mitchell County
Several highways intersect in Camilla, including Georgia State Routes 112 and 37 and Highway 19, which leads 30 miles north to Albany. Here, travelers can hop on Delta flights to Atlanta from Southern Georgia Regional Airport. Residents might also commute to Albany for work, but Camilla is home to Archbold Mitchell County Hospital, which contributes heavily to the local economy. Agriculture, specifically cotton and peanut farming, is another major industry.
The risk of tornadoes is moderate in Camilla
A couple of disastrous tornadoes struck Camilla in the early 2000s, but according to FEMA, the overall risk is relatively moderate. Homeowners’ insurance policies can help recoup losses from storm damage if twisters touch down in the area again.
