Vacation market comparison
Ellijay vs Coosawattee River Resort market report
The town and the gated river resort five miles outside it. Same county, same apple country, different way to own.
FMLS closed sales November 2025 to October 2026 (data as of 2026-11-03). Live inventory as of November 3, 2026. Aggregates only.
Ellijay vs Coosawattee River Resort: the short answer
- Price per foot: Ellijay is less expensive at $236 per square foot versus $252 (-6.5%).
- Typical price: Ellijay's median sale was $461,373 and Coosawattee River Resort's was $434,578. The median reflects home size and mix as much as value.
- Speed: homes in Ellijay sold faster (49 versus 56 median days on market).
- Negotiating room: Ellijay closed at 97.0% of list with 71% below list; Coosawattee River Resort at 96.5% with 73% below list.
- Choice: Ellijay had more sales to compare (299 versus 71 in 12 months).
- Supply: Ellijay has about 12.1 months of supply (strongly buyer-leaning) and Coosawattee River Resort about 12.7 (strongly buyer-leaning).
- Trend: Ellijay $/SF -2.0% and Coosawattee River Resort +6.7% versus the prior 12 months.
- Drive: Ellijay is about 95 minutes from downtown Atlanta and Coosawattee River Resort about 85. They are about 4 miles apart in a straight line.
Ellijay vs Coosawattee River Resort market numbers, 12 months through October 2026
| Metric | Ellijay | Coosawattee River Resort |
|---|---|---|
| 12-month closings | 299 | 71 |
| Prior 12-month closings | 319 | 77 |
| Median sale price | $461,373 | $434,578 |
| Median price YoY | -2.5% | +0.8% |
| Median $/SF | $236 | $252 |
| $/SF YoY | -2.0% | +6.7% |
| Est. 2,500 sq ft at median $/SF | $589,423 | $630,153 |
| Median days on market | 49 | 56 |
| Sale to list | 97.0% | 96.5% |
| Sold below list | 71% | 73% |
| Had a price reduction | 51% | 54% |
| Active listings now | 301 | 75 |
| Under contract or pending | 27 | 8 |
| Months of supply (12-mo pace) | 12.1 | 12.7 |
| Median asking price (active) | $540,000 | $459,000 |
| Data confidence | High | Moderate |
Quarter by quarter: Ellijay and Coosawattee River Resort
| Quarter | Ellijay sales | Ellijay $/SF | Ellijay median | Coosawattee River Resort sales | Coosawattee River Resort $/SF | Coosawattee River Resort median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q3 | 79 | $233 | $466K | 10 | $247 | $448K |
| 2026 Q2 | 80 | $232 | $473K | 20 | $218 | $432K |
| 2026 Q1 | 62 | $232 | $478K | 19 | $252 | $478K |
| 2025 Q4 | 78 | $246 | $432K | 22 | $286 | $394K |
| 2025 Q3 | 79 | $225 | $473K | 19 | $222 | $432K |
| 2025 Q2 | 88 | $243 | $498K | 16 | $251 | $458K |
| 2025 Q1 | 81 | $244 | $454K | 16 | $266 | $434K |
| 2024 Q4 | 71 | $251 | $464K | 26 | $219 | $412K |
Lifestyle, amenities and drive times
| Ellijay | Coosawattee River Resort | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mountain town | Gated river resort community |
| Location | Gilmer County | Ellijay, Gilmer County |
| Gated | No | Yes |
| Golf | Nearby courses | No (18-hole mini golf) |
| Lake or river | Carters Lake nearby; Cartecay and Coosawattee rivers | Coosawattee River runs through it; Carters Lake is downstream |
| Walkable downtown | Yes, historic downtown square | No. Downtown Ellijay is about 5 miles away |
| Equestrian | No | No |
| From downtown Atlanta | 95 min, 78 mi | 85 min, 74 mi |
| From Alpharetta | 80 min, 55 mi | 70 min, 51 mi |
| Best for | Buyers who want a real mountain town with orchards, rivers, and a downtown, at a lower price per foot than Blue Ridge. | Buyers who want a cabin-style getaway on or near a river, with pools and a rec center, a few minutes from Ellijay. |
Why people buy in Ellijay
Ellijay is the Gilmer County seat and Georgia's Apple Capital, with a historic downtown, orchards, wineries, and two rivers. It is a little closer to Atlanta than Blue Ridge and has been priced below it per square foot.
- Known as Georgia's Apple Capital. The Georgia Apple Festival runs two weekends each October.
- Apple houses, u-pick orchards, and wineries along GA-52 and the surrounding valleys.
- Cartecay and Coosawattee rivers for tubing and paddling, and Carters Lake for boating.
- Historic downtown with restaurants and shops.
Why people buy in Coosawattee River Resort
Coosawattee River Resort is a gated community of about 5,500 acres just outside Ellijay, with a six-mile stretch of the Coosawattee River running through it. Buyers come for cabins near the water, river tubing and fishing, and a short drive to downtown Ellijay.
- About 5,500 acres with more than 7,000 lots (homes, villas, and RV lots) and four controlled gates.
- A six-mile stretch of the Coosawattee River flows through the resort toward Carters Lake. Tubing, canoeing, and fishing from the river parks.
- Recreation Center with a heated indoor pool open year-round, fitness center, tennis, pickleball, and mini golf, plus outdoor pools in summer.
- River parks with camping, pavilions, and firepits, and a stocked catch-and-release fishing pond.
Owning in Ellijay
Outside gated communities, expect wells, septic, and private or gravel roads on many mountain parcels. Short-term rental rules come from the county and any subdivision covenants. Check both before you buy for rental income.
Owning in Coosawattee River Resort
The resort association (professionally managed) runs the gates, roads, and amenities, and every lot pays assessments. Combining lots can change the assessment. Ask for current assessments and rental rules in writing before you offer.
Ellijay vs Coosawattee River Resort FAQ
Is Ellijay or Coosawattee River Resort cheaper?
Per square foot, Ellijay was cheaper over the 12 months through October 2026: Ellijay $236 versus Coosawattee River Resort $252. Median sale prices were $461,373 and $434,578.
Which sells faster, Ellijay or Coosawattee River Resort?
Ellijay: Ellijay homes sold in a median 49 days and Coosawattee River Resort homes in 56 days.
Where do buyers have more negotiating room?
Ellijay: Buyers have some room: the typical sale closes at 97.0% of list and 71% of sales closed under 99% of list. Expect to negotiate on homes that have sat. Coosawattee River Resort: Buyers have real room: the typical sale closes at 96.5% of list and 73% of sales closed under 99% of list. Overpriced listings sit, and 54% of sold homes had a price cut first.
How far apart are Ellijay and Coosawattee River Resort?
About 4 miles in a straight line. From downtown Atlanta, Ellijay is about 95 minutes and Coosawattee River Resort about 85 minutes with no traffic.
Which is better for me?
Ellijay: Buyers who want a real mountain town with orchards, rivers, and a downtown, at a lower price per foot than Blue Ridge. Coosawattee River Resort: Buyers who want a cabin-style getaway on or near a river, with pools and a rec center, a few minutes from Ellijay.
Deciding between Ellijay and Coosawattee River Resort?
Jeff Crowe CRE is a local full-service brokerage in both. Get a shortlist that fits your budget and the sales that back it up.
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Methodology
Both columns use the same 12-month window of FMLS closed residential sales and the same definitions as the community reports. FMLS listings here are filed as "Coosawattee" or "Coosawattee River Resort". They are the same community and the filings do not overlap, so this report adds them. Combined and 12-month medians are closing-weighted averages of monthly medians; closings counts are exact. Aggregates only, not an appraisal.
Cite this comparison
Jeff Crowe CRE, "Ellijay vs Coosawattee River Resort market comparison," FMLS closed residential sales, 12 months through October 2026 (data as of 2026-11-03). https://www.jeffcrowecre.com/residential/market-reports/vacation/compare/ellijay-vs-coosawattee
Copyright 2026 JeffCroweCRE · Data sourced from FMLS · Copyright 2026 First MLS. Aggregates of closed and active residential listings. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.