Varnell is a historic railroad town between Georgia and Tennessee
Varnell is a small rural community of around 1,500 right by 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 it easier to travel between Chattanooga and Dalton. Today, residents continue to enjoy easy commutes between both cities while looking forward to new housing developments coming to the area. “The city’s really been growing in the last several years,” says administrator Mike Brown, who’s worked with the city for over a decade. “It just seems like we’re getting one subdivision after another one coming in.” With recreational amenities, an elementary school and a diverse housing stock, Varnell is a country suburb that’s proud of its history and heritage.
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. “We’re kind of spread out,” Brown says. “Lots are bigger out here, and people have more room, land and acreage than the city of Dalton.” 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 the Whitfield County Schools system, which earns a B-plus on Niche. Kindergarten through fifth-grade schoolchildren start their education at either Varnell, New Hope or Cohutta Elementary School, all of which earn B-pluses. From there, students will advance to either the B-plus-rated North Whitfield Middle School or the A-minus-rated New Hope Middle School. Most will graduate from Coahulla Creek High School, while a few outliers south of Prater Mill Road will go to Northwest Whitfield County High School instead. Both schools also have B-plus ratings.
Two highways between Dalton and 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. The city also finished construction on a new dog park and a 5,000-square-foot pavilion in 2025. Brown says they’re also looking to add new tennis, pickleball and basketball courts in the near future.
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 that has a Food Lion and Family Dollar, and there are many fast food restaurants and Dollar Generals around the area as well.
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.
