Quick Glance - Guide to Rome Georgia

You or your group are invited to meet in Georgia's Rome and enjoy our "Southern Hospitality". You'll find our city in the northwestern region of Georgia, near the borders of Alabama and Tennessee. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains, our community lies within a valley encircled by hills and crossed by three rivers, the Etowah, Oostanaula and Coosa, which meander their way into the heart of the city. The community's earliest residents, the Cherokee Indians, called this place "The Enchanted Land". Easily accessible by interstate or air, Rome is a convenient 65 miles northwest of Atlanta and Hartsfield International Airport. Rome is only a one hour drive from Chattanooga, TN and two hours from Birmingham, AL. Expect to be pleasantly surprised when you visit Georgia's Rome. The community offers a perfect blend of small town charm and metropolitan amenities. Rome is known as "The Capital of Northwest Georgia", drawing residents from throughout the region for medical, education, recreational and cultural services. The community continues to carefully preserve its rich historical and natural resources.

Location: Long recognized, as the heart of Northwest Georgia, Rome is located at center of a triangle formed by the cities of Atlanta, Chattanooga and Birmingham. Situated in Northwest Georgia at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains, Floyd County's altitude ranges from 650 to 1,500 feet above sea level. The Oostanaula and Etowah Rivers converge in downtown Rome to form the Coosa River.

Land Area: Floyd County consists of 519 square miles. Rome's incorporated city limits cover 22 square miles.

Population: 84,009 people live in Floyd County; population within the city limits of Rome is 30,891. (Population figures are updated from 1990 US Census)

Climate: A moderate climate with seasonal changes is conducive to outdoor activity most of the year.

Government: Floyd County is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, elected every four years. A nine-member Board of Commissioners governs the City of Rome. The affairs of the city and county are administered by full-time managers. Police and fire protection are maintained in the city and county for the protection of all residents an Visitors.

Communications: A daily newspaper, seven radio stations, local cable stations and local Internet sites keep residents informed and entertained.

Education: Educational institutions in Rome and Floyd County: three colleges, a regional vocational-technical school, city and county elementary and secondary systems, three private schools, and the Georgia School for the Deaf.

Economy: Floyd County is ranked 11th in economic strength among Georgia's 159 counties. The community's labor force of more than 117,000 workers is drawn from a six-county area. Approximately one third of jobs in the county are in manufacturing, with the balance of the local workforce employed in the service, retail and public sectors.

Transportation: Major trucking lines and the Norfolk Southern Railway System link Rome with points in all directions. Four-lane US Highways 53, 27, 411 and 20 link Rome to the north, south, east and west. I-75 is a short four-lane trip; I-20 is 40 miles away; I59 is 50 miles. 6,000-foot, 4,000-foot and 4,500-foot runways are provided for private aircraft at Floyd County's Richard Russell Airport, which features a newly constructed terminal and hangar space for corporate aircraft; along with the newly installed instrument landing system. Shuttle service is available to the Atlanta Airport. Greyhound provides bus service and the City of Rome maintains a public transportation system.

Utilities: An abundance of water is available with a system pumping up to 30 million gallons treatment plant which can process 18 million gallons per day. Electricity is provided at competitive rates by Georgia Power Company (steam generating plants; Plant Bowen, 30 miles south in Cartersville and Plant Hammond in Rome). Oglethorpe Power's hydro generating site in northern Floyd County provide this area with an abundance of electrical power; natural gas by Atlanta Gas Light Company; Bell South provides a first-rate telecommunications system with fiber optic routes and digital switching.

Healthcare: Greater Rome's two full-service regional hospitals offer every medical specialty in addition, there are large multi-specialty clinics, a state operated psychiatric hospital, new psychiatric hospital, immediate care facilities, full-care facilities for seniors and a wide array of professionals in the medical community specializing in every medical field.

Convention Services: From full-service convention site hotels to the new Forum complex, Rome offers a complete range of meeting and event facilities. Rome has several major hotels and Bed and Breakfast Inns. A full range of amenities can be found to accommodate any type of convention or meeting from a group of five to 5,000. The Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB) Convention Services Team will assist group travel and meeting planners in making arrangements for everything from caterers and entertainers to spouse tours and convention facilities.