Varnell is a historic railroad town between Georgia and Tennessee
Varnell is a rural community of about 1,500 near the Tennessee-Georgia state line. Originally part of the Cherokee Nation, Varnell grew rapidly in the mid-1850s when the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad was built through the town, making travel between Chattanooga and Dalton easier. Today, residents still enjoy easy commutes between the cities and they look forward to new housing development coming to the area. “It just seems like we’re getting one subdivision after another one coming in.”
Traditional and ranch-style homes with some Cape Cod architecture
Many subdivisions were built after 1970, some of which only recently finished construction in the 2020s. Lot sizes are generally bigger than in the city of Dalton, with many homes by the highways built on acreage. Traditional and ranch-style homes with brick, vinyl or wooden exteriors are very common, and many homes have covered porches and two-car garages. One-story homes range from $160,000 to $450,000, while two-story homes can cost $250,000 to $600,000. Some Cape Cod homes are $700,000 to $850,000 and can come with outdoor fire pits and gorgeous views of the rolling plains.
B-plus ratings for Whitfield County Schools
Varnell is zoned for Whitfield County Schools, which earns a B-plus on Niche and operates more than 20 campuses. Students can start at Varnell Elementary before moving on to North Whitfield Middle School. Both schools have a B-plus rating. Coahulla Creek High School also earns a B-plus and offers advanced placement courses along with career, technical and agricultural education programs.
Highways offer quick commutes to Dalton, Chattanooga
Georgia State Routes 2 and 71 are the main highways that intersect in Varnell and run throughout the rural area. Dalton is about 10 miles south, while Chattanooga and Cleveland are both around 30 miles north. Whitfield County Transit Service offers curb-to-curb transportation to Varnell residents for $4 per ride Monday through Friday. The Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton is open for 24 hours, while Chattanooga Airport is around 25 miles northwest.
Sports complexes, historical sites and a new performance pavilion
The 18-hole Nob North Golf Course is right next to Cleveland Highway and is open to the public. The historic Prater’s Mill dates back to 1855 and has hiking trails and fishing by Coahulla Creek. Edwards Park is a 109-acre sports complex with batting cages, soccer fields and an 18-hole disc golf course, and there are playgrounds by both Varnell Park and Varnell Elementary. In 2025, the city finished a new dog park and a 5,000-square-foot pavilion. Brown says they’re also looking to add new tennis, pickleball and basketball courts soon.
Local dining and dollar stores
Most restaurants are to the east by the main highway. Varnell Cafe is a family-style restaurant with country-fried steak and all-you-can-eat catfish, while The Butcher’s Market offers cuts of pork, beef and chicken along with take-home meals including meatloaf, chicken salad and bourbon-glazed barbecue burnt ends. The Coffee Boutique is an auto-themed cafe with boba, breakfast pastries and hot and iced beverages. Varnell Crossing is the nearest shopping center and has a Food Lion and a Family Dollar. There are also many fast food restaurants and Dollar Generals around the area.
A country fair and farmers’ market
Prater’s Mill hosts a fundraising fair every fall that showcases locally made goods, live music and southern treats such as fried pies and turkey legs. There are also plenty of kids’ activities that include pony rides, face painting and miniature train rides. A farmers’ market takes place four days a week at the pavilion on Main Street from June to September.
