Pickens County is a county in Georgia, United States, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains about 60 miles north of Atlanta. It had a population of 33,216 at the 2020 census and covers 232 square miles (600 km2) centred near 34°28′N 84°28′W.
Jasper is the county seat, and its postal code is 30143. Pickens County has two incorporated cities (Jasper and Nelson, the latter shared with neighboring Cherokee County), one town (Talking Rock), and about twenty unincorporated communities. The county lies in the Eastern time zone.
Towns & Villages in Pickens County
Pickens County’s 23 named places break down as two cities, one town, and roughly twenty unincorporated communities and subdivisions. Unincorporated places (marked “Unincorp.” below) have no municipal government of their own and are served by the county.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper | City · seat | — | 30143 |
| Nelson | City | — | 30151 |
| Talking Rock | Town | — | 30175 |
| Tate | Unincorp. | — | 30177 |
| Marble Hill | Unincorp. | — | 30148 |
| Blaine | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Burnt Mountain Estates | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Cagle | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Carns Mill | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Clipper | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Daniels | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Grandview | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Hinton | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Holcomb | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Jerusalem | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Ludville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| McDaniel | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Ruden | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Scarecorn | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Sweden | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Talmadge | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Tate Mountain Estates | Unincorp. | — | — |
| West Brook | Unincorp. | — | — |
Nelson sits astride the Pickens–Cherokee county line, and only part of the city is inside Pickens County.
ZIP Codes
- 30143 — Jasper (also serves most of the county seat area)
- 30151 — Nelson
- 30175 — Talking Rock
- 30177 — Tate
- 30148 — Marble Hill
The smaller unincorporated communities share a ZIP with the nearest post-office town rather than carrying one of their own.
Geography
Pickens County sits in the Blue Ridge foothills, where the marble-bearing hills around Tate and Marble Hill give way south to the rolling piedmont near Jasper. The Long Swamp Creek and Cartecay River watersheds drain parts of the county, and Ludville and Talking Rock sit in narrower mountain valleys further north. Pickens County borders Gilmer County to the north, Dawson County to the east, Cherokee County to the south, Bartow County to the southwest, and Gordon County to the west. Neighboring county pages: Gilmer County, Dawson County, Cherokee County, Bartow County, and Gordon County.
Demographics
Pickens County had a population of 33,216 at the 2020 census, for a density of roughly 143 people per square mile. Jasper and Nelson are the county’s two largest incorporated communities. Median household income in Pickens County runs below the Georgia median of $74,632, reflecting the county’s mix of rural, small-town, and exurban Atlanta-commuter households.
Economy & Local Life
Marble quarrying has shaped the county’s economy for more than a century — the Georgia Marble Company operates near Tate and Marble Hill, and marble from these quarries was used in the Lincoln Memorial. Beyond marble, the county’s economy today mixes light manufacturing, retail and services along the Interstate 575 corridor near Jasper, and a growing share of residents who commute south into the Atlanta metro area. Tourism and second-home development around Bent Tree and Big Canoe, both near the county’s mountain terrain, also support local retail and construction.
History
Pickens County was created on December 5, 1853, from parts of Gilmer and Cherokee counties, and named for American Revolutionary War general Andrew Pickens. Marble deposits discovered around Tate and Marble Hill in the 19th century drew quarrying operations that still run today, and Pickens County marble has been used in landmark buildings including the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Getting There
Interstate 575 runs through the county past Jasper, connecting to Georgia State Routes 5, 53, 108, 136, and 372 for local travel.
- Atlanta — 60 miles south
- Canton — 20 miles south
- Ellijay — 20 miles north
- Dahlonega — 25 miles east
The nearest commercial airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pickens County?
It is in north Georgia, about 60 miles north of Atlanta, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
What is the population of Pickens County?
33,216 as of the 2020 census.
How big is Pickens County?
232 square miles (600 km2) of land and water.
What is the county seat of Pickens County?
Jasper is the county seat.
How many towns are in Pickens County?
Two cities (Jasper and Nelson), one town (Talking Rock), and about twenty unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Pickens County?
Main ZIP codes include 30143 (Jasper), 30151 (Nelson), 30175 (Talking Rock), 30177 (Tate), and 30148 (Marble Hill).
What is Pickens County known for?
Its marble quarries near Tate and Marble Hill, which supplied stone for the Lincoln Memorial.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Georgia.