The Town FilesCornelia, Georgia
City in Habersham County · population 4,503 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $231,900
- Household income
- $39,775
- Jan low / Jul high
- 30° / 86°
- Snow a year
- 1 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 22
- Median age
- 36.9
Cornelia is a city of 4,503 people in Habersham County, Georgia. The median home is worth $231,900, above the typical Georgia town ($202,650). It ranks better for first-time buyers than 78% of Georgia towns, more vibrant than 78% of Georgia towns.
How Cornelia ranks
Percentile among Georgia towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Georgia towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Cornelia is worth $231,900, above the typical Georgia town ($202,650). Homes cost about 5.8 times the median household income of $39,775, which is more affordable than 6% of Georgia towns. Median rent is $942 a month. 56.4% of households own their home.
| Housing | Cornelia | Typical Georgia town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $231,900 | $202,650 |
| Median rent | $942 | $1,000 |
| Median household income | $39,775 | $57,176 |
| Home value ÷ income | 5.8× | 3.4× |
| Homeownership | 56.4% | 60.5% |
| Median year built | 1983 | 1984 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 2.8% | — |
Who lives in Cornelia
| People | Cornelia | Typical Georgia town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.9 | 37.1 |
| Age 65 and over | 15.5% | 15.9% |
| Under 18 | 24.9% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.1% | 19.6% |
| Below the poverty line | 30.3% | 16.2% |
| Veterans | 3.6% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 14.9% | — |
| Work from home | 7.0% | 7.9% |
| Average commute | 27.2 min | 26.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 86.7% | 88.0% |
Weather in Cornelia
July highs average 85.6°F and January lows 30.4°F. About 58.9 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 0.6 inches of snow (typical Georgia town: 0.4 in). Expect about 17 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 62 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
22 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Cornelia since 1950, compared with 17 for the typical Georgia town. 5 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an F3, struck on November 15, 1989 about 8.1 miles from the town center. The most recent was on September 25, 2024.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 39 times; the largest was 1.75 inches on March 21, 2017.
Severe weather in Habersham County since 1996
Habersham County has been included in 21 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, tornado.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| January 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3642: Severe Winter Storm |
| September 30, 2024 | Hurricane | DR-4830: Hurricane Helene |
| September 26, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3616: Hurricane Helene |
| January 12, 2021 | Hurricane | DR-4579: Tropical Storm Zeta |
| March 29, 2020 | Biological | DR-4501: Covid-19 Pandemic |
Jobs and pay in Habersham County
Habersham County had 15,000 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $48,929 a year. Unemployment was 3.1% in 2023; in Cornelia itself the ACS puts it at 2.2%.
Public schools in Cornelia
3 public schools with 1,497 students, about 11.7 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level Grove Elementary School | PK-5 | 594 | 12.6 |
| Cornelia Elementary School | PK-5 | 465 | 11.3 |
| South Habersham Middle School | 6-8 | 438 | 11.0 |
Towns near Cornelia
- Baldwin, GA1.4 mi · 3,629 people · home $167,300
- Raoul, GA5.7 mi · 2,803 people · home $127,500
- Lula, GA11.1 mi · 2,822 people · home $239,400
- Toccoa, GA12.5 mi · 9,133 people · home $178,100
- Cleveland, GA14.2 mi · 3,514 people · home $334,000
- Commerce, GA21.1 mi · 7,387 people · home $239,900
- Gainesville, GA23.1 mi · 42,296 people · home $382,200
- Dahlonega, GA25.5 mi · 7,537 people · home $531,100
Cornelia questions
Is Cornelia, Georgia a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Cornelia scores better for retirees than 26% of Georgia towns and quieter than 26%. 15.5% of residents are 65 or older (median age 36.9).
How much does a house cost in Cornelia?
The median owner-occupied home in Cornelia is valued at $231,900 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $39,775, so homes cost about 5.8 times income. Median rent is $942 a month.
What is the weather like in Cornelia?
July highs average 85.6°F and January lows 30.4°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 58.9 inches of precipitation a year and 0.6 inches of snow.
Does Cornelia get tornadoes?
22 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Cornelia since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F3 on November 15, 1989. The typical Georgia town has had 17.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)