In Gainesville, a city of more than 42,000 people in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills, poultry farming is at the top of the pecking order. Thanks to local entrepreneur Jesse Jewell, known as the Poultry King for his visionary business practices and domination of the industry, the chicken business has boomed in the city and the greater north Georgia region since the late 1930s. By the end of World War II, the city was known as the Poultry Capital of the World. Four of the top 20 employers in Gainesville-Hall County are in poultry processing. The city even passed a 1961 ordinance declaring it illegal to eat fried chicken with anything other than one’s hands — the Southern staple being too sacred to tarnish with a knife and fork. That ordinance is not enforced today.
Gainesville does not have all its eggs in the poultry processing basket: its location and amenities, like Lake Sidney Lanier, also draw interest. “After COVID caused a lot of jobs to become remote, I’ve been seeing a lot of folks from Atlanta reconsidering where they want to live, and it’s no wonder why they’re choosing Gainesville,” says Billy Johnson, a real estate agent with Lantern Real Estate Group. “It’s right on Lake Lanier, it’s got a great downtown and it’s still in the metro area.”
Georgia Poultry Park stands as a monument to Gainesville, proudly recognized as the poultry capital of the world.
Gainesville is a rapidly expanding town nestled at the base of the picturesque North Georgia foothills, surrounded by lush greenery and scenic landscapes.
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Waterfront estates and downtown ranch-style homes
Homes in Gainesville have a median price of $405,000, which is below the national median, and stay on the market for an average of 44 days. Houses are more expensive in the Lake District, which has recently built townhomes and waterfront estates on Lake Lanier. The Central Core neighborhood is part of the city’s downtown and has less expensive ranch-style homes and townhomes.
Tucked in NE Gainesville, Lake District is a tranquil residential area touching Lake Lanier.
You will find rows of beautiful nelwy constructed townhomes a short walk away from Downtown Gainesville.
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Lake Lanier draws millions of visitors
Lake Lanier is the largest lake in the state and gets more than 10 million annual visitors. The lake is the region’s hub of fishing, boating and jet skiing each summer. Lake Lanier Olympic Park has a public beach and picnic areas. The city also has 25 miles of bike trails. Nearly 30% of city residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, lower than the urban U.S. median of 55%. The Gainesville 2030 Comprehensive Plan details the city's ambition to expand its trail system and enhance connectivity.
Riverside South residents can fish at the nearby Longwood Park.
Browns Bridge is conveniently situated near Lake Lanier, where residents can swim, boat, fish, and more.
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Lakeview Academy and Riverside Preparatory Academy get ace grades
Students are served by Gainesville City Schools, which holds a B-minus grade from Niche, and Hall County Schools, which earns a B-plus grade. The city’s Mount Vernon Elementary School holds an individual B-plus grade. Private schools Lakeview Academy and Riverside Preparatory Academy earn A-plus grades.
Gainesville City Schools is a highly rated school system serving the children of the Gainesville area.
Riverside Preparatory Academy is a prestigious all-boys boarding school nestled in the vibrant city of Gainesville.
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The Quinlan Visual Arts Center adds to the city's culture
The city has several museums that promote the arts, including the Quinlan Visual Arts Center, which hosts several large-scale exhibitions each year. The Northeast Georgia History Center hosts educational classes on regional, state and national history.
Festivals and other annual events are where the city comes alive. The Gainesville Chicken Festival features a chicken cook-off where more than 7,000 pounds of meat gets barbecued. During Christmas on Green Street, a float parade waltzes down the historic street while performers entertain the crowd.
The Quinlan Visual Arts Center is one of several local museums found in the Gainesville area.
Some choose to bring picnic blankets for a more relaxing time at the Blue Skies Concert Series.
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WeGo service gets residents around the city
Interstate 985 runs through the eastern part of the city and can take drivers south toward Atlanta, about 55 miles away. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has direct flights to many domestic and international destinations. Residents can use a rideshare service called WeGo to get around Gainesville. The Northeast Georgia Medical Center is a 613-bed hospital.
Local bars and restaurants on Athens Street
The city’s Downtown Dining District is an open container area. The district is full of local bars and restaurants with American and international cuisine. Athens Street in particular is popular with residents. “The shops and bars on it make it feel like Gainesville has its own Atlanta Beltline,” Johnson says. To complement its restaurant scene, the city holds Food Truck Friday events throughout the spring and summer. Downtown Gainesville has retail boutiques while Lakeshore Mall has brand-name stores.
Downtown Gainesville is home to several loc al bars with regular live music and entertainment.
Local residents can find unique items in the stores around Downtown Gainesville.
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Long summers and short winters
According to state and FBI data, property crime rates in Gainesville have slightly risen in recent years and are above the national average, while violent crime rates have slightly fallen and are below the national average. The city experiences four seasons, with long, humid summers and short, cold winters. Hall County is at a relatively high risk of tornadoes and lightning compared to the rest of the country.
On average, homes in Gainesville, GA sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Gainesville, GA over the last 12 months is $410,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
