[6] The city was established along the route of the Unicoi Turnpike, a 1,000-year-old Native American trail.

In the early 18th century, deerskins and furs were transported along the route from Tennessee to Savannah and Charleston for shipping to Europe.

[5] As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 1,911 people, 709 households, and 402 families residing in the city.

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,248 people, 580 households, and 335 families residing in the city.

39.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

[17] North Georgia Technical College is located in Clarkesville.