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Demorest, Georgia
Location in Habersham County and the state of Georgia
Location in Habersham County and the state of Georgia
Country United States
State Georgia
County Habersham
Founded November 13, 1889
Government
 • Type Council - Manager
Area
 • Total 2.27 sq mi (5.88 km2)
 • Land 2.24 sq mi (5.81 km2)
 • Water 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Elevation
1,312 ft (400 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,022
 • Density 901.47/sq mi (348.05/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
30535, 30544
Area code(s) 706
FIPS code 13-22304
GNIS feature ID 2404215

Demorest (pronounced DEM-ə-rist) is a city located in Habersham County, Georgia, in the United States. It is a smaller city, with a population of 2,022 people recorded in the 2020 census. This number has grown over the years, showing that more people are choosing to live in Demorest. The city is also home to Piedmont University, an important educational center.

Exploring Demorest's Location and Size

Demorest is found in the southern-central part of Habersham County. A main road, U.S. Route 441 Business, runs right through the middle of the city. This road is also known as Central Avenue. It connects Demorest to nearby towns. If you go north on this road for about 4 miles, you'll reach Clarkesville, which is the county seat. Going south for 4 miles will take you to Cornelia.

How Big is Demorest?

The city of Demorest covers a total area of about 5.9 square kilometers (or 2.27 square miles). Most of this area is land, measuring about 5.8 square kilometers (2.24 square miles). A small part, about 0.1 square kilometers (0.03 square miles), is water.

Demorest's Growing Population Over Time

Demorest has seen its population increase steadily over the years. This shows that the city has been a welcoming place for many families and individuals.

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 208
1900 560 169.2%
1910 760 35.7%
1920 686 −9.7%
1930 730 6.4%
1940 820 12.3%
1950 1,166 42.2%
1960 1,029 −11.7%
1970 1,070 4.0%
1980 1,130 5.6%
1990 1,088 −3.7%
2000 1,465 34.7%
2010 1,823 24.4%
2020 2,022 10.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2020, the city had 2,022 residents. There were 664 households and 395 families living in Demorest at that time.

The Story of Demorest: A Look at its History

Demorest-Auction-Land-Plat-1890-restore
Map of land plat and property lines for an auction of land in Demorest, Georgia in Habersham County. This map shows the location of the former Lake Demorest, the Blue Ridge and Atlantic Rail Road, and Hazel Creek.

The land where Demorest stands today was first given to W. Stripling in 1829 by the State of Georgia. He mostly used it as a family farm. Later, in 1840, the land went to Dr. Paul Rossignol. He built a summer house near a place called Lake Demorest. This house became very important to the city's history. It was even one of the first buildings used by Piedmont College, which is now Piedmont University, when it started in 1897.

Demorest was planned out in 1890 as a "temperance town." This means it was a place where people supported avoiding alcohol. The city was named after William Jennings Demorest, who was a strong supporter of this idea. The Georgia General Assembly officially made Demorest a city in 1889.

Discovering Demorest's Special Places

Demorest has several interesting places that are important to its community and history. These landmarks help tell the story of the city.

Parks and Historic Buildings

  • Demorest Springs Park is a lovely spot for relaxation.
  • The Old Demorest Train Depot reminds us of the city's past when trains were a main way to travel.
  • The Demorest Women's Club is another historic building in downtown Demorest.
  • The former Lake Demorest was once a significant feature of the area.
Demorest Woman's Club
The Demorest Women's Club in downtown next to the pedestrian footbridge

The Johnny Mize Athletic Center and Museum

One of the most popular places in Demorest is the Johnny Mize Athletic Center and Museum. This museum is part of Piedmont University. It is named after Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Mize, who was born in Demorest. Mize also played baseball at Piedmont. The museum displays many items from his time at Piedmont and from his amazing professional baseball career. He played for famous teams like the St. Louis Cardinals, the New York Giants, and the New York Yankees. Johnny Mize's childhood home in Demorest is also a Georgia Historical site, though it is privately owned.

The Modern Pedestrian Bridge

Demorest Footbridge
The new pedestrian footbridge has a ramp on one side and an elevator and stairs on the other.

A newer landmark in Demorest is the pedestrian bridge. It crosses over Historic U.S. 441 right in front of the Piedmont University campus. This bridge makes it safer for people to cross the busy road. It was built off-site and then carefully lowered into place. The design of the bridge was inspired by a similar one at Vanderbilt University. Building this bridge was a team effort between the Georgia Department of Transportation, Piedmont University, and the city of Demorest.

See also

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