Nelson is a city located primarily in Pickens County, Georgia and partly (about 40%) in Cherokee County, Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 626.

According to the USGS GNIS, it is named for John Nelson, early landowner, farmer, and rifle maker. It is served through its downtown by the Georgia Northeastern Railroad, and by the former route of Georgia state highway 5 along its main street. South on 5 is Ball Ground, north is Tate. The north end of Interstate 575 and south end of Georgia state highway 515 is at the county line just to the southwest of Nelson.

Geography

Nelson is located at 34°22'54" North, 84°22'17" West (34.381562, -84.371303)GR1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²). 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there are 626 people, 254 households, and 188 families residing in the city. The population density is 268.6/km² (695.0/mi²). There are 275 housing units at an average density of 118.0/km² (305.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 89.94% White, 9.42% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.32% from two or more races. 0.16% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 254 households out of which 27.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.2% are married couples living together, 8.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% are non-families. 22.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.46 and the average family size is 2.88.

In the city the population is spread out with 19.3% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $44,250, and the median income for a family is $51,806. Males have a median income of $35,066 versus $30,450 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,604. 3.7% of the population and 1.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.1% of those under the age of 18 and 8.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.