2017 Atlanta CommunityProfiles

Fulton County
fultoncountyga.gov (404) 730-4000
Strategically located at the heart of metro Atlanta, Fulton County is the
state’s largest county and its most popular and populous. The city of
Atlanta, the county seat and state capital, has undergone unprecedented
growth for the last quarter century, contributing to its rise as the economic,
legal, and communications center of Georgia and the Southeast. Living in
Fulton County offers the best of arts and culture, sports and entertainment,
shopping and dining.
Fulton County, created from Dekalb County in 1853, spread out in its
strange, elongated shape by absorbing the cities of Milton (to the north)
and Campbell (to the south) during the Great Depression. It is named for
Robert Fulton, inventor of the steam-driven boat. Atlanta had flourished as
the terminal point on an early railroad; fittingly, residents initially called the
city Terminus. Later, residents changed the city’s name to Marthasville as a
compliment to Governor Wilson Lumpkin’s daughter.
North Fulton County provides high-quality living experiences with a more
suburban feel, with a wide range of single and multifamily residence
options. Recreation choices are abundant, with hundreds of acres of parks
and green space. The area maintains world-class golf courses and tennis
facilities.
Alpharetta • alpharetta.ga.us (678) 297-6000 • Pop. 62,000
Alpharetta is a city in north Fulton County and is considered one of the more
affluent communities in the Atlanta area. According to the 2012 census,
Alpharetta covers an area of 23 square miles. The city was recognized by
Forbes Magazine as the 2009 best city to relocate to and one of the 2013
top 10 friendliest towns. Its historic town square features antique, gift, and
flower shops as well as numerous restaurants. Alpharetta’s North Point
Mall has over 1.3 million square feet of retail, dining, and entertainment
experiences. The Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre offers residents of
Alpharetta and its surrounding communities entertainment of all sorts. The
amphitheatre has been awarded best new major concert venue and the
best major outdoor concert venue. The new Avalon development is an 86-
acre development with more than 500,000 square feet of retail, a 12-screen
all premium theater, a full-service hotel coming Class A office, single-family
residences and luxury rental homes.
College Park • collegeparkga.com (404) 767-1537 • Pop.20,000
College Park is known as one of the “sister suburbs” along with East Point
and is approximately 9 square miles. The area has been referred to as “one
of the best places to call home” and has one of the largest urban historic
districts in Georgia. Many colleges and universities are in the area, as well
as the largest independent school in the nation: Woodward Academy. The
city’s proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport makes it
popular with those connected to the expanding aviation complex, as well as
with Atlanta commuters who prefer a small hometown feel with easy access
to big-city amenities. Originally known as Manchester and incorporated in
1895, College Park is also home to Cox College and more than 850 properties
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town’s avenues and
streets take their names from Ivy League colleges and influential College
Park residents. Notable onetime College Park residents include rapper
Ludacris, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton, and Atlanta
Hawks’ ballplayer Josh Smith.
County Population: 977,773
County Seat: Atlanta
Median Household Income: $57,582 Median Home Price: $250,300
Square Miles: 526.64 Millage Rate: 10.281
Municipalities: Alpharetta, Atlanta, College Park, East Point, Fairburn, Hapeville
Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Palmetto, Roswell, Sandy Springs
and Union City
Office headquarters is in East Point. East Point has the only velodrome in
the world that has a green space and a creek running through the infield.
Football players Reggie Rutland and Jonas Jennings have also called East
Point home.
Fairburn • fairburn.com (770) 964-2244 • Pop. 14,000
Fairburn’s slogan, “History Lives Here,” is evident in the historic downtown
area. With many buildings on the National Register of Historic Places,
Fairburn has a rich culture enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
Fairburn covers 7.3 square miles. The downtown Commercial District,
which has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places, offers
various commercial buildings and two historic train depots. The center
of the community provides original shopping, entertainment, and dining
surrounded by housing and business opportunities. Fairburn continues to
grow exponentially while retaining its small-town atmosphere. The annual
Fairburn Festival, the Georgia Renaissance Festival, and the Southside
Theatre attract many residents and visitors to Fairburn. This county offers
both the benefits of being in the country and a fast-paced city life.
Hapeville • hapeville.org 404-669-2120 • Pop. 6,500
Hapeville is located six miles south of Atlanta and is adjacent to Hartsfield-
Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It is headquarters for Delta Airlines
and Korean Air Cargo, and Porsche will locate its $100-million U.S.
headquarters there in 2014. The city is also home to the original Chickfil-A
Dwarf House and many hotels serving business travelers. Hapeville
offers many attractions, including the new Academy Theatre. Residential
neighborhoods feature a wide variety of homes, from bungalows to Chicagostyle
townhouses to lofts and condominiums. Business will benefit from
their commercial Opportunity Zone offering the maximum tax advantages
allowable by the state. The city government is focused on planning and has
experienced significant revitalization.
Hapeville is a designated Main Street City and has an historic downtown
including a Historical Society Depot Museum, the Historic Christ Church and
Carriage House, the Hoyt Smith Conference Center, and many downtown
storefronts. The city features a downtown park and a unique public arts
program, including murals and a flurry of painted butterflies. Hapeville’s
Development Authority develops and promotes trade, commerce, industry,
and employment opportunities.
Johns Creek • johnscreekga.gov (678) 512-3200 • Pop. 82,000
Johns Creek occupies 32.5 square miles and employs 200 people. Sixtyfour
percent of the adults have a college degree or better, and the median
household income in Johns Creek exceeds $150,000. It is the tenth largest
city in Georgia. The city was originally a “sacred place” for tribal meetings
between the rival Cherokee and Creek tribes. State-of-the-art public
schools are located in Johns Creek, and some of them have won awards
such as the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence that was awarded
to Chattahoochee High School. The Ciba Vision world headquarters, State
Farm Insurance regional headquarters, and Macy’s Technology Systems
and Saia, Inc. national headquarters are all located in Johns Creek. The
Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center offers 46 acres of Georgia
woodlands in addition to the beautiful three city parks in the area. Johns
Creek is bordered by the Chattahoochee River, which provides recreational
opportunities such as canoeing, kayaking, and trout fishing. The Johns Creek
Symphony Orchestra is a major cultural attraction, as well as the Johns
Creek Arts Center.
East Point • eastpointcity.org (404) 765-1014 • Pop. 35,000
East Point is known as one of the “sister suburbs” along with College Park.
East Point is approximately 13.8 square miles. The city has experienced a
great revival in the past few years and is now populated with new residences
and businesses. Many homes from World War II have been refurbished, and
they provide an historic atmosphere for the area. Camp Creek Marketplace
Milton • cityofmiltonga.us (678) 242-2500 • Pop. 35,000
was recently built on the western side of the city, and it offers great shopping
The city of Milton became incorporated in 2006 and adopted Fulton County
opportunities. The Fulton County School System has its headquarters
ordinances. The city covers over 23,000 acres. The city’s vision statement is
in East Point, and the school system operates all of the public schools in
to maintain a distinctive community embracing small-town life and heritage
the area. Chartered in 1890, East Point grew rapidly in its early years, its
while preserving and enhancing a rural character. The average household
proximity to the railroad and industry buoying its development. Today, the
area continues to grow. The Federal Bureau of Prisons Southeast Region
CommunityProfiles >> 2017 41