This area along the Nottely River was part of the large Cherokee territory and the leader Goingsnake was born here in 1758.

After American settlers moved into this area, in 1835 the Georgia General Assembly designated Blairsville as the Union County seat.

[9] This area of northern Georgia was still rural and isolated before World War II.

During the Great Depression, under the President Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, the Nottely River was selected as part of the Tennessee Valley Authority projects.

[10] United Community Banks, Inc., one of the largest financial institutions in the Southeast U.S., was founded in Blairsville in 1949.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2), all land.

Blairsville has a humid subtropical climate, yet due to its elevation of 1,883 feet (574 m), typically records far lower temperatures at night than what is encountered in much of the Southeastern U.S., and has slightly higher precipitation totals (56 inches or 1,420 millimetres annually) than most locations in the state; the average diurnal temperature variation exceeds 25 °F (14 °C) in each of the spring and autumn months.

In addition to helping generate hydroelectric power, the lake serves as a local recreational resource.

It was created by damming the Nottely River as part of a regional, large-scale project for rural electrification and development.

The Appalachian Trail in Georgia has elevations that vary from about 2500 to 4,500 feet (1,400 m), with many steep climbs.

Encompassing nearly two-thirds of the county, the Chattahoochee National Forest has a series of winding trails.

The peak may be reached by bus or by walking from a point halfway to the top, beyond which private vehicles are not allowed.

[22] The Union County School District conducts classes for pre-school to grade twelve.

[27][28] There are some private schools nearby as well: U.S. Route 76 and Zell Miller Mountain Parkway (GA 515) are the main highways that run through Blairsville.

Blairsville Airport (ICAO: KDZJ[31], FAA LID: DZJ formerly 46A) is located in the city.

The North Georgia News is the primary newspaper and legal organ for the area.

[33] A member of the Georgia Press Association, the NGN is Blairsville's only accredited media outlet.