Lavonia is a city in Franklin and Hart Counties, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,156 at the 2010 census, up from 1,827 at the 2000 census. Geography Lavonia is located in northeastern Franklin County at (34.436055, -83.106270). A small portion of the town extends southeast into Hart County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which , or 0.53%, is covered by water. The city lies along Interstate 85, southwest of Greenville, South Carolina, and northeast of Atlanta. History The Cherokee people were indigenous to the area in which Lavonia is located. A sophisticated tribe that typically dwelled in cabins by the 18th century, the Cherokee joined with the British during the American Revolution. When the American colonists prevailed, their land was issued as bounty land to those who had fought in the revolution. As a result, people of European ancestry began to move into the Lavonia area during the 1780s. The founding of the town of Lavonia came as the result of the expansion of the railroad in northeast Georgia. A railroad line known as the Elberton-Airline Railroad desired another station further to the north. In a move typical for the time, businessmen in the area determined to build a town around the new railroad station. Upon division of the area into town lots and completion of all necessary legal procedures, the town of Lavonia was incorporated in 1880. The community was named after Lavonia Hammond Jones, the wife of a railroad official. Transportation Major highways Interstate 85 State Route 17 State Route 59 State Route 77 Connector State Route 328 State Route 403 (unsigned designation for I-85) Airports Broad River Air Park(3GE3), a private airport community featuring a 3000ft runway parallel to Interstate 85. Demographics 2020 census As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 2,143 people, 1,029 households, and 676 families residing in the city. 2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 1,827 people, 777 households, and 519 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 882 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 69.24% White, 28.95% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.38% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race constituted 0.88% of the population. There were 777 households, out