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About Oconee County

Formed in 1875 from a section of Clarke County, Oconee County was named for the river flowing along part of its eastern border. Comprised of 186 square miles, Oconee County includes the incorporated towns of Watkinsville (the county seat), as well as Bishop (est. 1890), Bogart (est. 1869), and North High Shoals (est. 1933).

What you will find in Oconee County is an inviting business and family-friendly environment. Businesses of all sizes call Oconee County home whether they are large manufacturing facilities such at Caterpillar with over 1,500 employees, or small home-based businesses with just 1 employee. In 2019, niche.com ranked Oconee County in the top 10 in the state of Georgia in the following categories:

#2 of 151 in Best Counties for Families to Live in Georgia
#2 of 151 in Best Counties to Buy a House in Georgia
#2 of 151 in Best Counties to Live in Georgia
#2 of 151 in Counties with the Best Public Schools in Georgia 
#4 in the nation in Counties with the Best Public Schools in America 
#4 of 151 in Best Counties for Retirees in Georgia
#7 of 151 in Healthiest Counties in Georgia

In 2019, countyhealthrankings.org ranked Oconee County as the #1 county in Georgia based on health factors. 

Oconee County also boasts one of the top educational systems in the state of Georgia. With an enrollment of nearly 8,000 students, some of the system-wide accolades include:

#1 School District in Georgia (SchoolDigger)
#1 County School District in Georgia (Niche)
​#1 School District for Financial Efficiency in Georgia
#2 SAT and #3 ACT scores in Georgia
Both high schools ranked in the top 2% nationwide: U.S. News and World Report
4 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence and 2 STEM Certified Schools
96.3% Graduation Rate (highest in OCS history)

Oconee County is also home to the University of North Georgia (Oconee Campus) which was ranked in 2019 by the U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges Rankings as a top regional university in the south in the following categories: 

Best Colleges for Veterans
Best Undergraduate Teaching
Best Value Schools
Most Innovative Schools
Top Public Schools

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