Homes Near Downtown Ellijay, GA: City vs County Buyer Guide

Cabins and Homes in Town: Ellijay and East Ellijay

The short answer

Gilmer County has two incorporated cities: Ellijay, the county seat, with 1,862 people at the 2020 Census, and East Ellijay with 650. A cabin or house inside either city puts the square, groceries and the courthouse close by. City parcels sit outside the county’s short-term rental chapter, and we found no published city rental rules, so call city hall before you plan on renting.

Last checked October 16, 2026

Two small cities in a big county

The numbers, from the Census

Of the 31,353 people the 2020 Census counted in Gilmer County, 1,862 lived in Ellijay city and 650 in East Ellijay city. The remaining 28,841, about 92 percent, lived outside the two cities. U.S. Census Bureau, checked 2026-10-16
East Ellijay is a separate incorporated city in Gilmer County. The 2020 Census counted 650 residents there. U.S. Census Bureau, checked 2026-10-16
Ellijay is the seat of Gilmer County. The New Georgia Encyclopedia says it became the county seat in 1834. New Georgia Encyclopedia, checked 2026-10-16

Nine in ten county residents live outside the two cities, which is why most of this guide is about county rules. Inside a city limit, a different set of offices applies.

A curving brick crosswalk leading to the tree-planted roundabout on the town square, with a street clock, red-brick buildings and the white-columned courthouse behind. — The courthouse square in downtown Ellijay Photo: Thomsonmg2000, CC0 1.0

What changes inside a city limit

Rental rules. Gilmer County’s short-term rental chapter covers only unincorporated land. Ask the City of Ellijay or the City of East Ellijay about rentals before you count on that income.
Lodging tax. The state’s rate report lists a different hotel-motel tax rate on file for each jurisdiction.
Utilities. Ask whether the parcel is on city water and sewer or on a well and septic. Do not assume.
Parcel record. The qPublic parcel record shows the tax district, which tells you which city, if any, the parcel sits in.

In the Georgia Department of Community Affairs' hotel/motel tax report (updated August 8, 2025), Gilmer County's rate on file is 6%, East Ellijay City's is 5%, and Ellijay City shows no rate on file. (Georgia DCA, checked 2026-10-16)

A little history

The New Georgia Encyclopedia says the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad (later the L&N) reached Ellijay in 1884. (New Georgia Encyclopedia, checked 2026-10-16)

Not sure if a listing is inside a city? Our journal post City or county? Which rules apply to your Ellijay cabin shows how to check.

Questions buyers ask

Do the county rental rules apply inside Ellijay or East Ellijay?

No. Chapter 45 covers unincorporated Gilmer County only. We found no published city rental rules online, so call the city hall for a parcel inside either city.

Source: Gilmer County

Rules and fees change. Every rule on this page links to the office that sets it; confirm with that office before you rely on it.

Talk to a North Georgia agent before you write the offer.

Gold Peach Realty is the brokerage behind this guide. An agent can pull the septic records, read the association rules and drive the road with you before your due-diligence clock runs out, and show you what is actually for sale in Ellijay and the rest of Gilmer County.