Originally the city was Native American, and was called Sak-yi. Later, the name was used for the Soque River, originally called “So-Kee”. [6] The city was established along the route of the Unicoi Turnpike, a 1,000-year-old Native American trail. In the early 18th century, deerskins and furs were transported along the route from Tennessee to Savannah and Charleston for shipping to Europe.[7][8]
Clarkesville was founded in 1821 as the seat of Habersham County.[9] The community was named after John Clark.[10]
Geography
Clarkesville is located in central Habersham County on the south side of the Soquee River, a southwest-flowing tributary of the Chattahoochee River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.49 square miles (6.45 km2), of which 2.46 square miles (6.37 km2) are land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2), or 1.20%, are water.[5]
Climate
Climate data for Clarkesville, Georgia, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1990–present
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 1,911 people, 709 households, and 402 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,248 people, 580 households, and 335 families residing in the city. The population density was 670.6 inhabitants per square mile (258.9/km2). There were 639 housing units at an average density of 343.3 per square mile (132.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.06% White, 7.77% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.36% of the population.
There were 580 households, out of which 20.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.1% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 27.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,880, and the median income for a family was $39,148. Males had a median income of $26,316 versus $23,977 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,265. About 9.9% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.8% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The current mayor is Barrie Aycock, the second female mayor in Clarkesville's history.[15] In 2016 she replaced previous mayor, Terry Greene.
Education
The Habersham County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools.[16] The district has 367 full-time teachers and over 5,955 students.[17]North Georgia Technical College is located in Clarkesville.
Notable people
Linda Anderson, according to NPR considered "one of the foremost living memory painters".[18]
