How do I know the Gainesville, GA area is a good place to invest?

[Lindsay West]

Hello BP! I am brand new to real estate investing and to Bigger Pockets, so I've been focusing on reading and educating myself. I have read a lot on how to analyze a property, but very little on how to analyze an area. I am in northeast Georgia and have focused on the town of Gainesville. I like it because I think the local economy is pretty stable. Gainesville is the poultry capital of the world (yes, world). There is a huge chicken processing industry here. Along with that, there is a university, a big hospital and the local government. However, the schools are not great. Despite that, I think it could be a good area to invest. Is my instinct right here, and is there any statistical data I should be looking at to judge an potential investment area?