Blairsville's elevation averages 1,900 feet above mean sea level. Union County ranges from a low elevation of 1,600 ft., as the Nottely River enters into North Carolina, to a high of 4,784 at Brasstown Bald Mountain, Georgia's highest point. Lake Nottely is at full pool at 1,779 ft. elevation.

Union County's location high in the Appalachian Mountains on beautiful lakes, yet within two hours driving time to Atlanta, Chattanooga and Asheville, makes it an attractive location for weekend homes.  Many Floridians have summer homes in the Blairsville area because of the cool mountain summer breezes.

Union County has an average annual rainfall of 65 inches, compared with 50 inches in Atlanta.

Blairsville annually has about 170 consecutive frost-free days.

Union County is near Georgia's average county size in land area and contains a total area of 323.0 square miles, ranking it 89 of Georgia's 159 counties in size. The county's greatest north-south distance is 26 miles while its greatest east-west distance is 19 miles. The Chattahoochee National Forest takes up over 50% of the land area of the county.  Tennessee Valley Authority holdings brings that Federal land total over 51%

Blairsville is served by the "Appalachian Developmental Highway" (GA 515), a 4-lane divided highway re-named "The Zell Miller Highway" in honor of Georgia's former Governor and U.S. Senator, a native of Union County and a resident of nearby Young Harris, built to near-interstate highway specs. This super highway serves as a high-speed freeway to Atlanta, 114 miles south-southwest. GA 515 connects to I-575 below Jasper and into I-75 near Marietta. Highways serving Union County include: US 19, 76, and 129, GA 2, 11, 60, 180, 325, 348, and 515. Roads in the area are excellent and provide easy access for commuting.