Dawson County At-A-Glance

Population: 20,000 (2005 estimate, up from 15,999 in 2000)

Unemployment: 3.9 percent (Sept. 2005, compared to 5.3 percent for the state)

Top Employers: North Georgia Premium Outlets, 1,000-1,200 (varies seasonally); Dawson County Board of Education, 415; Nordson Corporation, 233; Dawson County Government, 200; Gold Creek Foods, 200; Kroger, 116; World Wide Manufacturing, 107; Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge (Georgia Department of Natural Resources), 99; Home Depot, 90; Ingles, 90