Ball Ground, Georgia

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Ball Ground is a city located in Cherokee County, Georgia. As of the 2004 census estimate, the city had a total population of 765.

Ball Ground is at the northernmost end of Georgia Interstate 575, north of Canton at exit 20 on I-575, and ending seven miles north at exit 27. The Cherokee County Airport is located between Ball Ground and Canton.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Ball Ground is located at 34°20'14" North, 84°22'42" West (34.337104, -84.378329)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city's business district encompasses a total area of 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²) of land. 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is land. Rarely is the small amout of land covered with water counted. The city's elevation averages around 1,100 feet above sea level, ranging from just over 1,000 feet in the valleys to around 1,200 feet on several hilltops within the city.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2004 there were 765 people, 298 households, and 207 registered families residing within the city limits. The population density is 227.3/km² (589.1/mi²), but this disregards the fact that most residents live in Ball Ground's agricultural district, where each household lives on a minimum of 5 acres. There are 298 housing units at an average density of 92.8/km² (240.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 99.32% White, 0.41% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.00% from two or more races. 0.55% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 298 households out of which 33.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% are married couples living together, 9.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% are non-families. 20.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.71 and the average family size is 3.14.

In the city the population is spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 108.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $45,875, and the median income for a family is $51,429. Males have a median income of $39,125 versus $27,361 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,147. 12.2% of the population and 6.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.2% of those under the age of 18 and 12.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

[edit] History

Some records indicate Ball Ground was originally named Battle Ground on early maps. The town is located near fields that the Cherokee Indians used to play stick ball, a rough game similar to modern lacrosse. Local legend, as well as the Georgia Government's website [1] indicate that Ball Ground derrives its name from the game player by the Cherokee Indians native to Cherokee County. The large fields and abundance of freshwater streams made Ball Ground an alluring place for the large gatherings of Native Americans because the ball game required large, flat fields, and there were plenty of natural resources to support large groups of people. When settlers entered the area, the streams and fields attracted farmers, who dammed up creeks to create numerous manmade ponds and lakes. Most ponds and lakes still exist today, and Ball Ground still has a predominantly agriculturally based economy.

Ball Ground, in the northern part of Cherokee County, Georgia, is a lively community of almost 1,000 residents. Two and one-half miles to the east of the town, near the confluence of Long-Swamp Creek and the Etowah River, is the traditional site of Taliwa, the most decisive battle of the war between Cherokee and Creek Indians in the 1700's. Cherokee history tells that the conflict over territory was determined by a stickball game here. Before the railroad came through in 1882, the city was almost purely agricultural, consisting of two country stores and a few dwellings. After the railroad, the town grew as a result of the marble-working industry. Today, Ball Ground is growing as businesses and homeowners are pushing into the North Georgia mountains along the I-575 corridor. It boasts a number of new subdivisions and light industry.