Great Waters is a premier gated sub-community within Reynolds Lake Oconee — one of the Southeast's most prestigious private lake and golf destinations, located approximately one hour from Atlanta in Greene County, Georgia. The community is anchored by the Jack Nicklaus Signature Design Great Waters course, ranked #2 in Georgia by Golf Digest, featuring a stunning back nine stretch along Lake Oconee that is widely considered among the most visually dramatic in American residential golf. With over 400 homes built to date, Great Waters offers both full-time residents and second-home owners a quieter, more intimate setting within the larger Reynolds network — while still enjoying access to 117 total holes across six championship courses, multiple marinas, spa and wellness facilities, six dining venues, and a rich year-round social calendar.
Great Waters offers one of Lake Oconee's widest price ranges, from golf homesites starting around $340,000 to premier lakefront estates reaching $3.495 million or more.
Value in Great Waters is highly parcel-specific — lot position, water access, dock approvals, and shoreline configuration matter as much as interior finishes. Buyers should evaluate individual properties with that level of detail rather than relying on community-wide averages.
Great Waters is open to buyers of all ages and life stages — not age-restricted — making it equally appealing to families, retirees, and second-home buyers.
Great Waters is strategically positioned for both everyday convenience and regional connectivity.
Great Waters is a gated community within Reynolds Lake Oconee's private, 24-hour security-managed network. Professionally maintained roads, common areas, and community infrastructure reflect the resort standard Reynolds has upheld since founding. Northside Hospital Oconee provides local hospital services, with specialist access available in Athens and Atlanta for more complex medical needs.
Residents enjoy one of Georgia's most complete private resort recreational packages — the Great Waters Clubhouse with pool, tennis, driving range, and marina alongside the full Reynolds network of six championship courses, multiple Lake Oconee marinas, spa, fitness, dining, and a year-round social calendar anchored by the Linger Longer Living Cultural Series and events like the September Lakeside Live concert on the Great Waters event lawn.
What types of homes are available in Great Waters?
Golf homesites, cottage and course-view homes, lake-view residences, and lakefront estates — ranging from approximately $340,000 to $3.495 million or more depending on position, water access, and home quality.
Is Great Waters a gated community?
Yes. Great Waters is gated within the broader Reynolds Lake Oconee private network, with controlled access and 24-hour security.
What does Reynolds membership include?
Six championship courses, multiple Lake Oconee marinas, spa and wellness at The National Resort, six dining venues, pools, tennis and pickleball, fitness facilities, and a full programming calendar. Confirm current membership structure and fees directly with Reynolds Lake Oconee.
What should lakefront buyers know about Georgia Power's shoreline rules?
Georgia Power governs all Lake Oconee shoreline improvements — docks, boathouses, dredging, and landscaping. A lakefront lot does not automatically convey dock rights. Buyers should review specific Georgia Power shoreline approvals for any parcel before purchasing.
Is Great Waters a good place to retire?
Yes. Championship golf, Lake Oconee access, resort amenities, a rich social calendar, growing local healthcare, and one-hour Atlanta proximity combine to make Great Waters one of the Southeast's most compelling private retirement and second-home destinations.
Can owners use Great Waters as a short-term rental?
Greene County requires short-term rentals under 31 days to be within a designated Short-Term Rental Overlay District and owners to hold a current business license. Verify specific parcel eligibility before purchasing with rental income as a primary motivation.
21,638 people live in Great Waters, where the median age is 46.6 and the average individual income is $41,820. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Median Age
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Average individual Income
There's plenty to do around Great Waters, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including S & S Big Chick, Eastside Package Store, and Dollar General.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 0.9 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 0.92 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 0.93 miles | 2 reviews | 1.5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 0.96 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining · $ | 0.97 miles | 19 reviews | 1.8/5 stars | |
| Dining | 0.98 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.06 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.06 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.06 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.1 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 1.06 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 1.09 miles | 5 reviews | 4/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.55 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.94 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.97 miles | 4 reviews | 4/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.01 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.02 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.06 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.09 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.09 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.09 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.09 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
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Great Waters has 9,630 households, with an average household size of 2.23. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Great Waters do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 21,638 people call Great Waters home. The population density is 67 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Median Age
Men vs Women
Population by Age Group
0-9 Years
10-17 Years
18-24 Years
25-64 Years
65-74 Years
75+ Years
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Total Households
Average Household Size
Average individual Income
Households with Children
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Blue vs White Collar Workers
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