Chatsworth, Georgia and Eton, Georgia
Murray County Census Information
1995 estimates for Murray County is 30,362 with the projection to over55,000 by the year 2015. There are a number of factors which contributeto the expection of continued rapid population growth in Murray County.There factors are:
Murray County, although abundant with manufacturing and other relatedindustries, has been the county of choice for housing the many commutersemployed outside the county. Land is more plentiful and less expensive inMurray County providing more affordable housing opportunities than may beavailable elsewhere in the region. Employment projections for neighboringWhitfield County indicate that employment is expected to grow by more than50 per cent between 1990 and 2010 increasing from 49,411 to 74,682. Thelocal economy of Murray County is likewise expected to continue to expand.
The Chatsworth-Dalton four-lane highway provides excellant access betweenMurray and Interstate 75 as well as a connection to Whitfield Countyfacilitating easy commuting to the large employment base in WhitfieldCounty and other areas. The preference of many residents for the quality of life in this beautiful mountainous setting in Murray Countyis expected to continue.
Manufacturing is by far the dominate sector representing 64 per cent of alljobs in Murray County as compared to the state where manufacturing accountsfor approximately 19 per cent of all jobs. Most jobs are in carpet and carpet related industries although other manufacturers are located here.Projections show Murray County's employment increasing 81.5 per cent by2015 due to not only the expected expansion of the carpet industry, butadditional and diversified business and industry moving into MurrayCounty.
Employment in Murray County is expected to reach 17,799 by the year 2015considering past rates of growth. However, over 50 per cent of the county'sworkers presently commute outside Murray County. By attracting newindustry and business to Murray County, employment projections willincrease due to drawing from the commuting residents.
Opportunities abound in Murray County for retail business and new industry.Given the expected growth and workers outside our area choosing this Countyfor their residence, opportunities in retail and the service business exist.New industry will have an excellent employment base from which to draw.
Murray County is a setting where many special and unique economicopportunities flourish. The County holds many special events that notonly highlight local arts and crafts, but highlight internationalcompetition. The County has a rich Native American heritage which notonly provides a sense of history and foundation but provides touristdollars to Cities and County. Murray County is also very prosperous innatural resources, containing 3,220 acres of lakes, a state park with 1,920acres and a wilderness area that is made up of 34,102 acres. The naturalresources in the County provide recreational activities as well asvacation opportunities for many travelers.
Existing special events include: The Red and Gold Leaf Festival, MurrayCounty Spring Festival, Appalachian Wagon Train, and Village BlackberryFestival. The County is host to the Pan American EquestrianChampionships which is a three-day international event held atBouchaert Farm and hosts world class competitors from North, Centraland South America. The County is also host to the Georgia State andRed Carpet Championship Mule-Draft Horse Frolic Show which crownsa state champion each year at Murray County Saddle Club and highlightsa wagon show, parade and mule pulling.
Murray County is home to the Chattahoochee National Forest and twoWildlife Management Areas ( The Cohutta Wilderness Area and the CoosawatteeWildlife Management Area). The National Forest is owned and operatedby the U.S. Forest Service which provides outdoor recreation facilitiesin the form of campgrounds, boat ramps, hiking and camping. WildlifeManagement Areas are managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resourcesand are open to the public for hunting and fishing during permittedseasons. These undeveloped areas have become ideal destinations forcounty residents and visitors to participate in various kinds of outdooractivities such as hiking, camping, biking, boating, canoeing, rafting,fishing and hunting. Murray County is part of the Ocoee Region whichwill host the 1996 White Water Slalom/Kayak Venue.
The Cohutta Wilderness Area contains 34,102 acres and is the southernend of the Appalachian Mountain Chain. The elevations within the area rangefrom 950 feet to 4,200 feet. Black bear, wild boar, wild turkey, deer and otherwildlife roam in its interior. The mountain streams also provide excellanttrout fishing. Throughout this wilderness area are hiking and biking trailsproviding the outdoor enthusiast with an abundance of activities from whichto chose. Mountain biking has grown in popularity in the past few years.This wilderness area is known as one of the best areas for recreationalbiking and competition.
Carter's Lake is located on the boundary of Murray County. Completedin 1977 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it is reported that this lake hasthe largest earth made dam in the eastern United States. This facility hassixty-two miles of shoreline that wraps around 3,500 acrea of water whichprovides excellant recreation for Murray County residents and visitorsfrom other areas.
The Murray County Public School System consist of one high school, twomiddle schools and five elementary schools. As of the beginning of the 1995school year, the Murray County School System employed over 400 teachers andhad over 6,200 students enrolled. Murray County Schools subscribe to thephilosophy of "creating a life-long yearning for learning" as evidencedby the three Pre-Kindergarten programs, K-12 curricular offerings and anactive General Equivalent Degree (GED) program. Expansion plans are underwayto accommodate projected growth.
College students will have a 15 minute commute time to Dalton College whichis part of the University of Georgia Educational System.
Owned by Columbia HCA, the Murray County Medical Center provides avariety of services. It operates Murray County Memorial Hospital whichis a 42 bed facility with seven local physicians on staff as well as anemergency room physician, 2 registered nurse practitioners, 19registered nurses and 32 Licensed practical nurses. The hospital plansfor 2 Labor Delivery Recovery units in the future. These hospitalplans include recruiting an obstetrician and pediatrician and theappropriate personnel. The Hospital operates First Med, Murray County'swalk-in outpatient clinic.
