Pyle-Davis House · National Register of Historic Places
Demorest’s story
137 years in pictures
The archive holds 6 old photos and papers going back to 1890.
3 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1889Demorest is settled
Pyle-Davis House · Photo: Melsner4 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Population
2,262
2025 Census estimate · +4.5% since 2020
Typical home
$315K
+1.7% in a year
Household income
$78K
median
Median age
25.3
years
Jobs based here
972
Balanced
Is Demorest a good place to live?
Demorest’s best subject grades are an A+ for safety and an A− for schools. On safety, just 7 of Georgia’s 152 towns do better. Demorest is more walkable than 71% of U.S. towns. On hazard risk, just 29 of Georgia’s 374 towns do better. Demorest is home to Piedmont University. Demorest's civic life (library use, community groups, volunteering) trails 95% of U.S. towns. Demorest has 3 places on the National Register of Historic Places, among them Demorest Commercial Historic District and Demorest Women's Club. Demorest has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade.
What makes Demorest stand out
Where Demorest beats most towns.
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Demorest0.5
Georgia3
U.S.3.3
SafetyA+
83% less violent crime than GA
FBI data, 2025. Crimes reported to police.
Natural hazardsA
Very low risk of storm and flood damage
FEMA National Risk Index.
Habersham County schools
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Demorest Elementary School | PK–5 | 548 |
| Hilliard A. Wilbanks Middle School | 6–8 | 566 |
SchoolsA−
On state tests and graduation
NCES · EDFacts.
College town
26% of Demorest is in college
College Scorecard · IPEDS
How Demorest grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Georgia), ordered by how far Demorest is from typical.
SafetyA+Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 14% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listAOpen →SchoolsA−Open →HealthNortheast Georgia Medical Center Habersham 2 miles awayA−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 8.5 of 20; 6.7% of households have no car; 2.4% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB+Open →Jobs & income$78K median household incomeC+Open →Cost of livingC+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors0 miles of trails; 0% conserved landC−Open →History3 places on the National Register; 3 notable people born hereBOpen →Civic life2.3 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsDOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateMild winters, 87° summer afternoons–Open →Housing market–Open →Who lives here28% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Demorest: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Demorest, and how to reach them.
PowerGeorgia Power16.3¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterDemorest water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers97% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpFrom the town’s siteTrash and recycling rulesTown site
Register to voteOnlineIn Georgia you can register online until 29 days before Election Day, in person until 29 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 29 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereHabersham County Elections & RegistrationHabersham County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Nov 2025
ZIP code3053530535 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Demorest.
SafetyA+
Less crime per resident in Demorest than in 95% of U.S. towns
Demorest’s property crime rate is 0.9 per 1,000 residents, below both Georgia’s towns (14.5) and U.S. towns (9.9). The violent crime rate in Demorest is 0.5 per 1,000 residents.
95%of U.S. towns report more crimeA+Safety Grade
| Demorest | Georgia towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 0.9 per 1,000 residents | 14.5 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 0.5 per 1,000 residents | 2.2 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Demorest0.5
Georgia3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Demorest0.9
Georgia14.1
U.S.15.5
95th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
1
violent crimes reported in 2025
2
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
SchoolsA−
Demorest’s public schools outperform 83% of Georgia districts
Its public schools are run by the Habersham County school district. One of its 2 schools is below, with why it’s listed.
83%of GA districts it outscoresA−School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilliard A. Wilbanks Middle SchoolLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 566 | B |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within GA on state tests and graduation
Who lives here
The median age in Demorest is lower than in most of Georgia or the rest of the country
Demorest’s median age is 25.3 years, against 36.5 years in Georgia’s towns and 40.5 years across U.S. towns. 18% of residents are under 18 in Demorest. Demorest has grown 4.5% since 2020, to 2,262 residents in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate.
25.3median age · GA 37.6
| Demorest | Georgia towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 25.3 years | 36.5 years | 40.5 years |
| Under 18 | 18% | 24% | 22% |
| Aged 65 or older | 13% | 15% | 18% |
DemorestGeorgiaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
32%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma7%
High school40%
Some college18%
Associate’s7%
Bachelor’s14%
Graduate15%
Women and men · all residents
50% women, 50% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±1.9 points. Across Georgia, 51.2% of residents are women. Among residents 35 to 44, 72% are men (GA 49%).
| Demorest | GA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 9.1% | 12.1% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 8.4% | 11.1% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 32.2% | 9.5% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 8.9% | 13.8% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 10.7% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 7.4% | 12.8% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 10.3% | 12.3% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 6.6% | 9.1% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 6.4% | 5.8% | 7% |
| No diploma | 6.7% | 10.8% | 10.4% |
| High school | 39.8% | 26.6% | 26% |
| Some college | 18.1% | 19.2% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 7.1% | 8.4% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 13.8% | 21.1% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 14.5% | 13.9% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 2,300, single groups can be off by several points
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A
Demorest faces a very low natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 86% of U.S. communities.
14risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingCold wavesTornadoes
3
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
HealthA−
On CDC estimates, Demorest is healthier than 76% of U.S. towns
Demorest beats the Georgia average on 11 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 3. 28% of Demorest adults have high blood pressure. Among 262 Georgia towns, just 4 have a higher share of adults who have been diagnosed with depression than Demorest.
76%healthier than U.S. townsA−Health Grade
| Demorest | Georgia towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 28% | 38% | 35% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 28% | 38% | 35% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 8.7% | 14% | 12% |
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 40% | 39% | 33% |
32 measures vs. Georgia
11 better18 too close to call3 worse
| What stands out | Demorest | GA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 6.1% | 9.6% |
| Fewer adults with diabetes | 8.7% | 13.3% |
| More adults with depression | 23.5% | 19% |
Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham
2 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Climate
Demorest has mild winters and pleasant summers
Demorest has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. Only 5 of the 265 Georgia towns we compare have a lower July high than Demorest.
87°summer high
Typical low → high °F
Winter33–53°
Spring47–71°
Summer65–86°
Fall49–71°
Nov 6
typical first frost
Mar 30
typical last frost
+0.6°
vs. the 20th-century average
87°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Work & commuteJobs & income grade C+
Demorest has 1.3 jobs for every working resident, and 946 people commute in
Most working residents leave Demorest for work: only 3% work in town. Demorest’s average trip to work is 20 minutes. Jobs based in Demorest grew to 972 in 2023, 363 more than in 2013.
3%work in town
| Demorest | Georgia towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 20 minutes | 26 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Working residents who work in town | 3.4% | 9.1% | 8% |
| Below the poverty line | 11% | 15% | 9.6% |
| Median household income | $78,000 | $63,000 | $80,000 |
Where working residents work
In Demorest3%
Cornelia10%
Gainesville9%
Clarkesville4%
Atlanta3%
24 mi
median commute distance
972
jobs based in Demorest
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
B+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 71% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
HousingCost of living grade C+
Demorest’s typical home value is about $315K
The typical Demorest home is worth about $315,000, up 1.7% in a year, close to the Georgia typical home.
$315KZillow home value
| Demorest | Georgia towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 54% | 58% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,302 a month | $1,154 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Demorest$315K
Georgia$329K
+1.7%
value change, 1 year
2
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
0.2%conserved
| Demorest | Georgia towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.1 miles per square mile | 0.3 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 0.2% | 2.3% | 4.3% |
0.2%
conserved · 3 of 1,419 acres
0.1 mi
of trails · 0 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Demorest Springs Park | — | 3 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Nearby attractions
All 35 attractions →Lake Lanier and 8 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Demorest. Close and well known come first.
Big draw32 mi LakeLake Lanier
10 mi MountainCurrahee Mountain
26 mi MountainBrasstown Bald15 mi WaterfallTallulah Gorge
35 mi National forestChattahoochee–Oconee National Forest
17 mi WaterfallAnna Ruby FallsSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Lake Lanier: http://www.terraprints.com, CC BY 2.5 · Currahee Mountain: Wikilackey (talk), Public domain · Brasstown Bald: Unknown, Public domain · Chattahoochee–Oconee National Forest: Thomson200, CC0 · Anna Ruby Falls: Jsfouche, CC BY-SA 3.0
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Demorest
20pages on Demorest
The big questions
SchoolsA−Beat 83% of GA districts · 2 schoolsSafetyA+0.5 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthA−Better than GA on 11 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC+$315K typical home · up 1.7% in a yearWork & commuteC+$78K median household income · 972 jobs hereNatural hazardsAFEMA risk higher than 14% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
4 within 15 miles of the center of Demorest
Piedmont UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · DemorestIn town$31,700 tuitionNorth Georgia Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · Clarkesville5.3 mi$3,330 in-state tuitionToccoa Falls CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Toccoa Falls10.7 mi$23,950 tuition
College town 26 of every 100 Demorest residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Georgia.
A growing town
Demorest has grown 16% since 2010
1,823 counted in 2010 and 2,022 in 2020; an estimated 2,262 in 2025.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
Landmarks
3 places in Demorest on the National Register of Historic Places.
Famous people from Demorest
3 notable people were born in Demorest.
About Demorest
City in Georgia, United States
Demorest ( DEM-ə-rist) is a city in Habersham County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,022 at the 2020 census, up from 1,823 at the 2010 census, and 1,465 at the 2000 census. It is the home of Piedmont University.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 2.3 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,348 ft
- ZIP code
- 30535
- Area code
- 706
Questions about Demorest
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Demorest, GA expensive?
That is 4.7 years of the area's median household income ($67,309 across the Cornelia, GA area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C+.
What is Demorest, GA known for?
3 notable people were born here, including Johnny Mize and John King.