Georgia
5 Georgia small towns make Most Charming Towns in America to Move To
Photo by Joyce Lupiani/FOX 5 Digital
ATLANTA – Five small towns in Georgia have made the list of the Most Charming Towns in America to Move To.
According to the latest Census Bureau data, Americans continue to leave big cities in droves. This trend has been attributed to the allure of small-town life, which offers a lower cost of living, better quality of life, a sense of community, access to nature, lower crime rates, and a higher sense of safety.
High 5 Casino sought to find the most charming U.S. towns and cities to live in. They evaluated 161 small towns and cities across the country, ranking them based on 22 key metrics grouped into four categories: Essentials (cost of living, safety, employment), Lifestyle (entertainment venues, amenities, access to nature, climate), Housing (affordability, home appreciation rates, housing demand), and Community (population density, educational facilities, healthcare, average age of residents).
After ranking all the towns, they compiled a list of the 100 most charming small towns in the U.S. Five small towns in Georgia made the list, with one ranking in the top 5:
- No. 4 – Madison (52.05 out of 100)
- No. 21 – Adairsville (44.83 out of 100)
- No. 47 – Jekyll Island (42.81 out of 100)
- No. 53 – Dahlonega (42.57 out of 100)
- No. 96 – Helen (39.99 out of 100)
Madison is known for its well-preserved antebellum architecture, scenic beauty with tree-lined streets and lush gardens, and rich cultural heritage showcased in museums and cultural centers. Its quaint downtown area features charming shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Madison’s historical significance, particularly its preservation during General Sherman’s March to the Sea, adds to its allure. The town’s unemployment rate is 3%, and the median home price is $455,000. Madison has a crime rate that is noticeably lower than average.
Adairsville boasts a well-preserved historic downtown area with 19th-century buildings, quaint shops, and local eateries. Home to Barnsley Resort and various community events and festivals, it is located near the Appalachian Mountains, offering easy access to outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and camping. The median home price in Adairsville is $439,375, and the current unemployment rate is 0.2%. The crime rate is Adairsville is 13.3% lower than national average.
Jekyll Island is famous for its picturesque coastal beauty and rich history, including well-preserved Gilded Age mansions. Residents and visitors can enjoy activities such as biking, golfing, and exploring nature trails. The median home price on Jekyll Island is $660,000, an increase of 53.5% over last year, with an unemployment rate of 3.2%. Crime risk is moderate in Jekyll Island.
Dahlonega, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, is renowned for its history and landscapes. As the site of the first major U.S. gold rush in 1828, Dahlonega features a historic downtown with preserved 19th-century architecture, quaint shops, and cozy cafes. Surrounded by scenic vineyards, the town offers outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and exploring Amicalola Falls. Dahlonega’s vibrant arts scene, friendly community, and annual festivals add to its charm. The median home price is $368,166, with an unemployment rate of 2.8%. The crime rate is considered low in Dahlonega.
Helen is a unique town known for its Bavarian-inspired architecture and alpine village aesthetic. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Helen offers stunning natural beauty and outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and tubing along the Chattahoochee River. The town’s vibrant cultural scene includes numerous festivals, artisan shops, and local wineries. Helen’s charm, welcoming community, and scenic surroundings make it a delightful place to live, with a median home price of $461,000 and an unemployment rate of 2.6%. Helen’s crime rate is higher than the national average.
Other Georgia ranking stories
The other small towns/cities in the top 5 are Homer, Alaska; Petoskey, Michigan; Oxford, Mississippi; and Marietta, Ohio.
Homer is known for its fishing, museums, art galleries, educational facilities, and below-average property prices.
Petoskey scored high for affordable housing, a low unemployment rate, a low crime rate, and easy access to some of Michigan’s most picturesque and affluent waterfront communities.
Oxford has an average age well below the list average (27.7 vs. 45) and is a haven for foodies. It is also home to numerous creatives, musicians, and artists.
Marietta is widely regarded as one of the prettiest cities in the Midwest with its brick streets, hardwood trees, and neoclassical Victorian houses. The average property price is just $264,900, making it quite affordable.
THE FLATS – Georgia Tech baseball has been named an official NCAA Regional host site for the 2026 NCAA Baseball Tournament, it was announced on Sunday night. The ACC regular season and ACC Tournament Champion Yellow Jackets (48-9) will make their 37th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and host the regional round at Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium for the 13th time, first since 2019.
The Jackets are 72-62 in Regional play over program history and are 26-15 (.634) when playing Regional games at home.
2026 will go down as the greatest regular season in Georgia Tech baseball’s storied history, earning its second consecutive regular season ACC Championship while winning the ACC Tournament title in the same season for just the fourth time in program history and set records in offensive output, victories, attendance and revenue generated with a chance to add on even more accolades in the postseason.
Georgia Tech Athletics set a goal to create more seats and a better gameday experience for fans at Mac Nease Baseball Park this season and Tech fans responded, setting a program record with a total attendance of 98,297 over 34 games. A 90% increase in ticket sales from the 2025 season and a 105% increase from 2025 in revenue from home games.
That 98,297 total included crowds of over 2,000 for all 34 home games for the first time in program history and 15 crowds of at least 3,000 fans, also a program record. Tech fans have averaged a sell-out crowd over the final 16 games of the regular season (since March 31) averaging 3,354 fans per game with a capacity of 3,194. That ground swell led to an average home attendance of 2,891 – the largest in the state of Georgia, with an average 90.5% capacity crowd, the best in the ACC, 11th best in the nation and 5th best in Power 4.
Added Strike Zone seating and first base row, along with an expanded concourse and more concessions options have played a significant part in improving the game day experience at Mac Nease Baseball Park, as alumni, students and baseball fans in Atlanta have flocked to witness the greatest offense in the BBCOR era deliver time and time again. Tech fans sold out Mac Nease Baseball park nine times over the course of the season, with GT winning all nine games by a combined score of 100-34.
On the field, the Yellow Jackets have produced the best regular season record in 106 years, going 48-9 while tying the ACC record with 25 conference wins and becoming just the 14th team in conference history to sweep both the ACC regular season and tournament championships Tech went 15-3 against Top 25 opponents, the best winning percentage (.833) against ranked opponents in school history with seven of those 15 wins coming by at least 10 runs.
The Yellow Jackets tied a 26-year old school record with five first team all-conference selections while head coach James Ramsey was named ACC Coach of the Year, marking the first time in conference history that a coach was named Coach of the Year in his first season as a coach.
Georgia Tech will now await the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, May 25 to find out its seeding and what three teams will join it at Mac Nease Baseball Park. The Selection Show is scheduled for noon and will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
Full Steam Ahead
Full Steam Ahead is a $500 million fundraising initiative to achieve Georgia Tech athletics’ goal of competing for championships at the highest level in the next era of intercollegiate athletics. The initiative will fund transformative projects for Tech athletics, including renovations of Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field (the historic home of Georgia Tech football), the Zelnak Basketball Center (the practice and training facility for Tech basketball) and O’Keefe Gymnasium (the venerable home of Yellow Jackets volleyball), as well as additional projects and initiatives to further advance Georgia Tech athletics through program wide-operational support. All members of the Georgia Tech community are invited to visit atfund.org/FullSteamAhead for full details and renderings of the renovation projects, as well as to learn about opportunities to contribute online.
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech baseball team, follow us on X (@GTBaseball), Facebook, Instagram (@gt_baseball) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com.
The Georgia Bulldogs have one of the greatest running back histories of any college football program. Year in and year out the University of Georgia has a talented stable of running backs. The 2026 season is expected be no different with Georgia’s roster featuring Nate Frazier, Chauncey Bowens, Dwight Phillips and more.
Nate Frazier has the most career rushing yards (at Georgia) of any returning Georgia running back, but he’ll need a strong season to crack Georgia’s all-time leading rushers list. Entering the 2026 campaign, Frazier has 1,618 career rushing yards. Frazier needs 1,028 rushing yards or more to make it inside Georgia’s top-10 all-time leading rushers. The Bulldogs haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2019, so Frazier would snap a long streak if he’s able to have a big season.
The most notable Georgia running back, Herschel Walker, had one of greatest careers in college football history. He won the 1982 Heisman and won the 1980 national championship. Walker is Georgia’s all-time leading rusher and has a very tough career total to top.
Over the years, Georgia fans have been spoiled with the elite running back play, especially over in recent history. In the 2010s, Kirby Smart and Mark Richt helped UGA produce four of the top 10 all-time leading rushers in school history.
All of Georgia’s all-time leading rushers come from the past 50 years. The Bulldogs have had so much talent come through the running backs room that a Super Bowl MVP (Terrell Davis) and a Heisman Trophy winner (Frank Sinkwich) are not among Georgia’s top 10 all-time leading rushers.
10. Thomas Brown – (2,646 rushing yards)
Brown never produced a 1,000 yard season at Georgia, but he was productive when healthy and was part of an impressive running back duo with Knowshon Moreno in 2007. The Atlanta Falcons drafted Brown in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft.
Years: 2004-2007
9. Rodney Hampton (2,668 rushing yards)
Hampton was a consistent producer in three seasons at UGA. He accumulated at least 700 rushing yards and six total touchdowns every year at Georgia. The New York Giants selected Hampton in the first round of the 1990 NFL draft.
Years: 1987-1989
8. Knowshon Moreno (2,734 rushing yards)
Knowshon Moreno had a breakout season in 2007 after redshirting in 2006. He produced at least 1,300 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in both 2007 and 2008 before he entered the NFL draft.
Years: 2006-2008
7. D’Andre Swift (2,885 rushing yards)
The Detroit Lions drafted D’Andre Swift in the second-round of the 2020 NFL draft. Swift came to Athens as a five-star recruit and lived up to the billing. Swift is one of the most elusive backs in Georgia history and is the last Georgia back to post a 1,000-yard season.
Years: 2017-2019
6. Lars Tate (3,017 rushing yards)
Only Herschel Walker and Nick Chubb carried the ball more in their UGA career than Lars Tate. Tate’s 36 career rushing touchdowns are also tied for third in school history.
Years: 1984-1987
5. Garrison Hearst (3,232 rushing yards)
Hearst was Georgia’s most productive running back of the 1990s. He went on to the No. 3 pick in the first round of the 1993 NFL draft and ran for 7,966 yards and 30 touchdowns in his NFL career.
Years: 1990-1992
4. Todd Gurley (3,285 rushing yards)
Todd Gurley was extremely productive starting with his first career college football game against Buffalo in 2012. Gurley put on an outstanding performance in Georgia’s 2012 SEC championship loss to Alabama and went on to be a first-round NFL draft pick. He missed some time due to injury and only played three seasons at Georgia.
Years: 2012-2014
3. Sony Michel (3,613 rushing yards)
Sony Michel was part of the best running back duo in Georgia football history alongside Nick Chubb. The duo helped Georgia win an SEC title in 2017 and a Rose Bowl. Michel’s game-winning touchdown in overtime of the Rose Bowl will be a cherished memory for many Georgia fans. However, they lost in their final college game to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the national championship.
Years: 2014-2017
2. Nick Chubb (4,769 rushing yards)
Nick Chubb went on to have an outstanding NFL career primarily with the Cleveland Browns. He would’ve had a shot to break Herschel Walker’s school record if not for his unfortunate leg injury. Chubb turned down the NFL to return to Athens for a fourth season.
Years: 2014-2017
1. Herschel Walker (5,259 rushing yards)
It only took Herschel Walker three seasons to become Georgia’s top rusher of all-time. He won a Heisman, a national championship, and went on to have a solid NFL career. Walker is arguably the best player in college football history. Teams knew Georgia was handing the ball off to Walker, but they still couldn’t stop him.
Years: 1980-1982
HOOVER, Ala.– The Florida Gators baseball team on Saturday fell to Georgia, 8-7, in the SEC Tournament Semifinals despite leading 6-0 after the third inning.
Florida gave up four runs across the seventh and eighth innings and largely relied on relief pitching after starter Russell Sandefer exited the game in the second inning due to injury and fell victim to a rain delay, after which Georgia bounced back and took the lead.
Here’s everything head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said, via a transcript from ASAP Sports, after the loss. Florida now turns its attention to the NCAA Tournament, where the Gators have locked up a hosting bid for regional play but will have to see if they did enough to earn a top-eight seed.
Opening Statement
KEVIN O’SULLIVAN: Well, first of all, congrats to Georgia. They obviously played really, really well today. That’s what they do. They just chipped away. I thought our pitching was good today. It was unfortunate that Russ got hit with that line drive. But fortunately enough for us it’s not broken. That’s probably the best his stuff has looked all year long.
Yeah, although it’s disappointing, I’m really proud of the way our team played this week. I think we maybe opened up some eyes to other people around the country that may not have seen us play. And we’ve come such a long way. I think this weekend kind of puts us in a position for our team to be ready for the postseason.
Q. The importance of playing in the SEC tournament, some teams come in here and they don’t play their best guys, but to you, how does this tournament help you prepare for the rest of the tournament?
KEVIN O’SULLIVAN: I think it goes back to, like, the ninth and tenth weeks of the year. Everybody’s playing for something, whether it be a top 8 national seed, be one of the top 16 seeds to host. Some teams are playing just to get into the tournament. We have never taken this tournament lightly. We’ve always stayed with our rotation. The only time I think we may have done that is if we had to play on a Tuesday and we couldn’t bring back our No. 1.
But, no, we try to come here to win it. Every game’s important. Like I said, it was unfortunate today with Russ because that’s about as good of stuff as he’s had all year long. I’m looking at the board and he’s throwing 96, 97, and he’s throwing his fastball to both sides of the plate. That was the best he’s looked. So lucky enough for us immediately they got him an X-ray and they came in and, I said, You already got one? That’s awesome. It came back negative, so he’ll be ready to go next week.
We got three good starters. Our bullpen’s healthy for the very first time. We’ve got our lineup pretty much set now, and we’ll see what happens with the draw. I know a lot of people asked if we should be a top 8 national seed. My answer every year is the same thing. It’s out of my hands. It’s in the committee’s hands. I do think that we are one of the top 8 teams in the country, but it’s not my decision to make.
Q. I know you talked about this before as far as Georgia goes, but speak to the length of their lineup and what that ability gives them with that offensive game they got.
KEVIN O’SULLIVAN: Yeah, it’s almost like no matter how many runs you score you almost feel like it’s not enough. I thought that, you know, after the rain delay, there was a couple tough hops there at third, and they got things rolling there. I didn’t think Josh pitched poorly at all. I think he just left some balls out over the plate. We didn’t give it to ’em. It’s not like we walked a few guys and gave up a three-run homer or stuff. They just put some really good at-bats against one of the best arms in the country. I’m really pleased with how we played this weekend, or this week for that matter. I think it definitely prepares us for next weekend.
Q. Was there any thought to putting Jackson on in the 8th inning when he ends up getting the sac fly that gives ’em the lead?
KEVIN O’SULLIVAN: No. You pick your poison. It’s like – and for me, the thought did cross my mind, but those are the opportunities — like, Josh needs to face Jackson in that spot. Like, if he comes out successful, boy, does he feel really good about himself. So those are the type of battles within the game that you go you know what? Let’s go mano-a-mano. Let’s go head-to-head and see what happens. And I think that’s important for players to go through that, and pitchers for that matter.
Q. Every team you have is different in some way, shape, or form. What has been different about this Florida team that maybe people don’t see, don’t read about that kind of sets themselves apart, in your mind?
KEVIN O’SULLIVAN: I think our resiliency. We got swept at Alabama, we turned it around. I’m really proud of the way we have improved offensively, how we improved pitching-wise, and defensively we’ve come a long way. And they have worked awfully hard. It’s a tight-knit group, and yeah, they’re disappointed that they lost. I flat-out told ’em in the dugout, “I’m proud of the way you guys played this week; we don’t need to hang our heads.” We’ll get back home, give ’em a day off tomorrow, practice early on Monday, get ready to watch the selection show, give ’em the rest of Monday off and then get ready for the regional.
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