Helen, Georgia
| Helen | |
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| — City — | |
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| Coordinates: 34°42′9″N 83°43′39″W / 34.7025°N 83.7275°WCoordinates: 34°42′9″N 83°43′39″W / 34.7025°N 83.7275°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | White |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.1 sq mi (5.5 km2) |
| • Land | 2.1 sq mi (5.5 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,447 ft (441 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 430 |
| • Density | 204.8/sq mi (78.2/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 30545 |
| Area code(s) | 706 |
| FIPS code | 13-37788[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0331948[2] |
Helen is a city located on the Chattahoochee River in White County in the north of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the city's population was 420.
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[edit] History
Formerly a logging town that was in decline, the city resurrected itself by becoming a replica of a Bavarian alpine town, in the Appalachians instead of the Alps. This design is mandated through zoning first adopted in 1969, so that the classic south-German style is present on every building, even for the small number of national franchisees present (such as Huddle House). Because of this, tourism is the main industry in Helen, catering mostly to weekend visitors from the Atlanta area. Helen is extremely crowded in late October, when autumn leaves typically peak. It also hosts its own Oktoberfest during September, October and November. There are many events and festivals throughout the year. One of the most well-known is the annual hot-air balloon race, which is held the first weekend in June each year.
The main road through town is north/south Georgia 75. The Helen stream gauge (HELG1) is located on its bridge over the Chattahoochee in the middle of downtown. A parallel route to the west is labeled Georgia 75 Alt to identify it as a bypass route around the town, and its massive traffic jams in the autumn and on some other weekends. The Unicoi State Park and Lodge is located immediately northeast of Helen on Georgia 356. Access to Anna Ruby Falls, part of the Chattahoochee National Forest, is through the park.
In 2005, significant damage occurred in parts of Helen on August 30 when Hurricane Katrina spawned a tornado in the area. The northward-moving tornado went through the edge of town, but did strike the EconoLodge motel, and brushed the Unicoi Lodge (behind building B) at the park.
[edit] Geography
Helen is located at 34°42′9″N 83°43′39″W / 34.7025°N 83.7275°W (34.702396, -83.727508)[3].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2), all of it land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 430 people, 208 households, and 112 families residing in the city. The population density was 203.8 people per square mile (78.7/km²). There were 319 housing units at an average density of 151.2 per square mile (58.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.56% White, 5.12% African American, 0.23% Native American, 10.93% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.02% of the population.
There were 208 households out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.7% were non-families. 42.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.5% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,917, and the median income for a family was $40,781. Males had a median income of $39,107 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,281. About 6.7% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Gallery
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Dancing at Oktoberfest in Helen, 1975
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Another view of Helen
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Various stores in Helen
[edit] References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Helen, Georgia |
- Helen city government official website
- Helen Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Helen to the Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race & Festival
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