Georgia’s Cherokee County is part of the vast Atlanta metropolitan area. It is tucked away in the northwest of the state and bordered by the counties of Fulton, Forsyth, Dawson, Pickens, Bartow, and Cobb. Its major city, Canton, is home to about 281,000 people according to the 2020 census, and it serves as the government seat.
Cherokee County, named for the Cherokee people who lived here before being forcibly removed in the 1830s, is renowned for its blend of rural and suburban landscapes, historical and cultural sites, and its close proximity to Atlanta. However, it is not without social and economic inequalities, as seen by differences in neighborhood-level educational attainment, poverty rates, and unemployment.
Exploring five of Cherokee County’s most economically disadvantaged communities, this article makes use of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017–2021 American Community Survey (ACS). The following metrics are employed to determine the degree of poverty:
1. Canton
Situated in the heart of Cherokee County, Canton is surrounded by Woodstock and Holly Springs. With about 30,000 residents, it has a varied population that includes White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American groups. Nonetheless, the ACS data indicates that it faces considerable socioeconomic obstacles:
$58,000 is the median household income, which is 35% less than the national median and 40% less than the county median.
16% of the population is poor, which is 1.5 times more than the national average and more than double the county rate.
7% unemployment rate, higher than the national and county norms.
With an educational attainment rate of 85%, almost four out of five adults have a high school diploma or above.
2. Ball Field
Approximately 2,000 people live in Ball Ground, a rural community in northern Cherokee County near Nelson and Waleska. The majority of the population is White, with little representation from Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American cultures. Even with its charming surroundings, it has serious financial difficulties:
$60,000 is the median household income, which is 33% less than the national median and 38% less than the county median.
15% of people are poor, which is 1.5 times more than the national average and more than double the county rate.
6% unemployment rate, which is greater than the national and county norms.
With an 82% educational attainment rate, over four out of every five adults have completed high school or more.
3. Waleska
Another rural area in northern Cherokee County, Waleska is near Ball Ground and Fairmount. It is mostly populated by White people, with lesser populations of Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American people, totaling approximately a thousand. It also confronts tremendous economical obstacles:
$61,000 is the median household income, which is 32% less than the national median and 37% less than the county median.
14% poverty rate, which is 1.5 times the national rate and more than twice the county rate.
Five percent unemployment is higher than the national and county norms.
With an 87% educational attainment rate, about four out of five adults have completed high school or more.
4. Holly Springs
Approximately 12,000 people live in Holly Springs, a suburban community in central Cherokee County that is close to Canton and Woodstock. The population is varied, consisting of Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans. However, it faces significant socioeconomic difficulties:
$62,000 is the median household income, which is 31% and 36% less than the national and county median, respectively.
13% of the population is poor, which is 1.5 times more than the national average and more than double the county rate.
Five percent unemployment is greater than the county and national norms.
88% of adults have at least a high school diploma, which is around four-fifths of the adult population.
5. The Woodstock
With 33,000 residents, Woodstock is a diverse suburban region in southern Cherokee County that is close to Holly Springs and Roswell. It is home to communities of White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American people. Even with its vastness and energy, it faces formidable economic obstacles:
$64,000 is the median household income, which is 29% less than the national median and 34% less than the county median.
12% of people live in poverty, which is 1.5 times higher than the national average and more than double the county rate.
Four percent unemployment is higher than the national and county norms.
With an 89% educational attainment rate, about four out of five adults have completed high school or more.
In summary:
A diversified population characterizes Cherokee County, Georgia, which is a component of the Atlanta metropolitan area and offers a mix of suburban and rural living. Nonetheless, it faces significant economic divides within its communities.
Canton, Ball Ground, Waleska, Holly Springs, and Woodstock are a few of the communities dealing with a variety of issues, such as high unemployment, low educational attainment, high rates of poverty, low income, and limited access to social services and healthcare.
In order to improve the well-being and standard of living for the people who live in these communities, addressing these concerns will require coordinated efforts from multiple stakeholders.