A Newcomer’s Guide to Oconee County, GA
Created by a legislative act in 1875, Oconee County has 186 square miles and around 27,000 people (CENSUS 2000). Oconee County households have a median income of $67,000 and the average house goes for $261,000. Its tree is the redbud. If you are looking to relocate, or have just recently moved to Oconee, then this is a simple guide to where things are and what to expect.
If you are newly relocated to Oconee County, GA the first thing you will need to realize is that the county has no hospital. It does have other medical facilities. There are plenty of healthcare personnel despite having no actual hospital; those needing hospitalization go to neighboring counties. There are three healthcare facilities in Oconee County; Regional First Care, Women’s Resource Center, and Oconee County Health Department.
Regional First Care: Address-1960 Experiment Station Road, Watkinsville
Hours- Monday thru Friday 8 am – 8 pm
Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 6 pm
Phone (770) 769-0000
Women’s Resource Center: Address- Windridge Professional Park
1586 Mars Hill Road, Watkinsville
Hours- Monday 10:30 am – 6 pm
Tuesday thru Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Phone (770) 769-3700
Oconee County Health Department: Address -1060 Experiment Station Road, Watkinsville
Hours – Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30 am – 5 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am – 7 pm
Friday 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Phone (770) 769-3983
There are four incorporated towns in Oconee County, GA; Bishop, Bogart, North High Shoals, and Watkinsville.
Bishop: Incorporated 1890, Population 146
Bogart: Incorporated 1905, Population 1,049
North High Shoals: Incorporated 1968, Population 439
Watkinsville: Incorporated 1806, Population 2,097
Oconee County has five post offices that are in addition to the various drop boxes located in stores and supermarkets. The post offices are in Bishop, Bogart, Farmington, North High Shoals, and in Watkinsville.
Bishop: Address – 4861 Macon Highway
Hours – Monday thru Friday 7:30 am – 12:30 pm ; 1:30 pm – 4 pm
Saturday 7:30 am – 11:30 am
Phone (770) 769-5323
Bogart: Address – 1551 Atlanta Highway
Hours – Monday thru Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday 8:30 am – 11:30 am
Phone (770) 725-7171
Farmington: Address – 1011 Salem Road
Hours – Monday thru Friday 7:30 – noon; 1 pm – 4 pm
Saturday 8 am – 11:30 am
Phone (770) 769-6307
North High Shoals: Address – 103 Jefferson Road
Hours – Monday thru Friday 8 am – 11:30 am. 1 pm -4:30 pm
Saturday 8 am – 11:30 pm
Phone (770) 769-7500
Watkinsville: Address – 1090 Experiment Station Road
Hours – Monday thru Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm
Saturday 7:30 am – 11:30 am
Phone (770) 769-6980
Educationally, Oconee County has one of the best school systems, boasting a 2003 combined SAT average of 1043. There are 13 schools in Oconee County not including approximately 70 families that homeschool, incorporating 139 students.
Oconee County has 51 churches, with the majority being of the Baptist affiliation. Other religions included are Apostolic, Discipline of Christ, Church of Christ, Greek Orthodox, Holiness, Independent, Independent Christian, Interdenominational, Methodist, and Presbyterian.
If you came to Oconee County looking for the relaxation, then you’ve come to the right place. There are three private golf courses, two driving ranges, and numerous pools. There is also a range of country clubs and parks throughout the area. Most all sports have been sponsored by the Oconee County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Oconee County is a lovely small community to raise a family or get in tune with the slower side of life.
