Living in Young Harris, Georgia: A Buyers Guide
Young Harris is a small college town in Towns County, tucked into the far north Georgia mountains near the North Carolina line. Built around Young Harris College, a four-year liberal arts college founded in 1886, the town blends a walkable campus feel with mountain scenery — Brasstown Bald and Lake Chatuge are both close by, and neighboring Hiawassee is just minutes away for everyday errands.
Housing & Communities
Homes in the Young Harris area currently range from roughly $160,000 to $1,300,000, with a median sale price generally between $390,000 and $475,000. The market here moves more slowly than the national average, with homes typically taking around 100 days to sell — a reflection of the area’s smaller, more deliberate buyer pool. Inventory includes in-town and near-campus homes, cabins, and mountain acreage throughout Towns County.
Young Harris College & Town Character
Young Harris College sits at the heart of the town and gives it a character unlike any other stop on this list — a small liberal arts campus with just under a couple thousand students, complete with its own planetarium (the Rollins Planetarium, which hosts Friday night star shows). The college and town were both renamed in 1895 in honor of benefactor Young L. G. Harris, after starting out in 1886 as the McTyeire Institute. The result is a walkable small town with a college-town rhythm that’s rare in the North Georgia mountains.
Outdoor Recreation
Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest point, is a short drive from town. Lake Chatuge, shared with neighboring Hiawassee, offers boating, fishing, and lake living just down the road. The Brasstown Valley Resort, located in Young Harris, adds an equestrian center, golf course, spa, and hiking trails to the mix — amenities usually associated with much larger destinations.
Getting Around & Nearby Essentials
- Grocery: Ingles in neighboring Hiawassee is the closest full-size grocery store
- Hospital: Chatuge Regional Hospital in Hiawassee, with Union General Hospital in nearby Blairsville as a larger regional option
- Atlanta: about 110 miles, roughly a 2-hour, 20-minute drive
Who Lives in Young Harris
Young Harris draws a distinctive mix for a town this size: college faculty, staff, and students tied to Young Harris College, retirees drawn to the quiet mountain and lake setting, and second-home owners pulled in by Lake Chatuge and Brasstown Valley Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Young Harris a college town? Yes — Young Harris is built around Young Harris College, a four-year liberal arts college that gives the town a walkable, campus-centered character. What’s the price range for homes in the Young Harris area? Homes currently range from roughly $160,000 to $1,300,000, with a median sale price generally between $390,000 and $475,000. Homes here also move more slowly than the national average — typically around 100 days to sell — reflecting the area’s smaller, more deliberate buyer pool. How far is Young Harris from Atlanta? About 110 miles, roughly a 2-hour, 20-minute drive. Is Young Harris only a college town, or does it draw other buyers too? Beyond the Young Harris College community — faculty, staff, and students — the town also draws retirees looking for a quiet mountain and lake setting, and second-home owners pulled in by Lake Chatuge and the amenities at Brasstown Valley Resort. Ready to explore homes in the Young Harris area?
Nearby Areas
Exploring more of North Georgia? Take a look at our guides to Hiawassee, Blairsville, and Clayton.
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Prefer email? rick@rabbottgroup.com
Rick Abbott · eXp Realty · GA License #454451 · Big Canoe, Georgia