Hayesville, North Carolina

 town, county seat

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Hayesville, NC is the county seat of Clay County and is located in the Southwestern corner of North Carolina just north of Georgia. The town of Hayesville is located on a knoll overlooking the Hiawassee River and has a view of the Tusquittee Mountains. Lying in the southern Appalachian Mountains, Clay County offers breathtaking scenery with rolling farmlands, beautiful Lake Chatuge, inviting mountains and a charming downtown square Cultural opportunities abound with community theater, concerts, and the John C. Campbell Folk school where you can attend free Friday-night concerts. The crafts shop at this internationally known folk school features the juried work of more than 300 local and regional artists.

With a population of 8,775 (according to the 2000 census),Clay county is among the five least populated counties in the state and offers one of the lowest property tax rates in North Carolina. With elevations ranging from 1,200 feet up to 5,498 there are plenty of lofty vistas to take in the view.

There are many townships including Brasstown, Warne, Fires Creek, Shooting Creek, Elf, and Tusquittee, but there is only one 'town' in Clay County - Hayesville.

Clay County was formed in 1861 from Cherokee County and was named for Henry Clay, Kentucky's famed statesman. About 3,700 acres of the 7000 acre sapphire-blue waters of Lake Chatuge are in Clay county. With a 132 miles of shoreline, this pristine lake is ideal for swimming, boating, camping and fishing.