As its name suggests, it is just east of Ellijay, Georgia, the site of a Cherokee settlement from which it is believed the name "Ellijay" originates.
East Ellijay was originally the location of Fort Hetzel, one of the Cherokee removal forts built in 1838 to house the Cherokee people before sending them on the "Trail of Tears".
Geography
East Ellijay is located at 34°41'5" North, 84°28'21" West (34.684668, -84.472434)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.1 km² (2.0 mi²). 5.1 km² (2.0 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
The town lies on the southern border of the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 707 people, 251 households, and 159 families residing in the city. The population density is 137.9/km² (357.6/mi²). There are 265 housing units at an average density of 51.7/km² (134.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 68.60% White, 0.00% African American, 2.26% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 2.97% Pacific Islander, 22.35% from other races, and 3.82% from two or more races. 33.38% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 251 households out of which 31.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% are married couples living together, 11.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% are non-families. 28.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.82 and the average family size is 3.18.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 16.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 30 years. For every 100 females there are 120.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 127.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $35,875, and the median income for a family is $38,594. Males have a median income of $20,341 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the city is $13,934. 19.5% of the population and 14.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 16.8% are under the age of 18 and 15.9% are 65 or older.