County Seat: Marietta
Population: 657,583
Median Income: $66,148
Average List Price, 2003 $269,049
Average Sale Price, 2003 $262,662
Median 2-Bdr. Apt. Rental: $835
Sales Tax: 5%
Property Tax: $27.37/ per $1000 of assessed value* (unincorporated)
Travel Time: Hartsfield Intl. Airport: 30 minutes
Downtown Atlanta 25 minutes
Cities/Geographic Areas: Acworth, Austell, East Cobb, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder
Springs, Smyrna, Vinings, West Cobb
Web Site:
www.cobbchamber.com
Cobb County lying just to the northwest of Atlanta across the scenic Chattahoochee River is a very desirable place to live, work, and play, offering one of the highest standards of living in the country. Cobb County is one of the states most prosperous counties, and one of the metro’s fastest growing counties, with new businesses arriving all the time. Lockheed-Martin Aeronautical and over 250 other international firms have made their headquarters here. The county has outstanding public (one of the top high schools in the country is located in East Cobb) and private schools, Kennesaw Mountain, the Chattahoochee River, Six Flags Over Georgia, art museums, theaters, historic sites, two major malls, and both large and small office and industrial parks. There is something for almost any lifestyle with six incorporated cities, and both suburban and rural unincorporated areas and neighborhoods.
Once a part of the Cherokee Nation, settlers began arriving in the early 1800s when the state distributed land through a lottery. The county was founded in 1832. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park affords visitors a glimpse of our nation’s history and one of the most significant battles of the Civil War during General Sherman’s March on Atlanta.
SCHOOLS
School Information
Board of Education (770) 426-3300
Private Schools (K-12)
Cobb County Christian (770) 434-1320
Cumberland Christian Academy (770) 434-5487
Covenant Christian (770) 435-1596
The Walker School (770) 427-2689
Mt. Paran Christian School (770) 578-0182
Shiloh Hills Christian (770) 926-7729
Youth Christian School (770) 934-1394
St. Joseph Catholic (770) 428-3328
Colleges and Technical Schools
Kennesaw State University (770) 423-6000
Southern College of Technology (770) 528-7267
Life College (770) 424-0554
Chattahoochee Technical Institute (770) 528-4500
North Metro Technical Institute (770) 975-4000
TAG AND LICENSE
County Tag Office (770) 528-4020
Georgia State Patrol (770) 528-3251
UTILITIES
Electricity
Cobb EMC (SCANA GAS) (770) 429-2100
Georgia Power (770) 325-4001
Marietta Power (Columbia Gas) (770) 528-0606
City of Acworth (770) 974-5233
Gas
Georgia Natural Gas (800) 427-5463
Austell Gas System (770) 948-1841
Telephone
BellSouth (770) 780-3255 or (800) 356-3094
Water
Cobb County Water System (770) 423-1000 ext. 6208
Marietta (770) 528-0606
Kennesaw (770) 424-8274
Smyrna (770) 434-6600
Powder Springs (770) 943-1666
Austell (770) 944-4300
RECREATION
The Cobb County Parks and Recreation Department operates over 35 parks throughout the county and residents enjoy swimming, tennis, softball, hiking, jogging, and boating. There are public and private golf courses, many miles of hiking trails and great picnic spots at Kennesaw Mountain, boating, fishing, and swimming at lakes Allatoona and Acworth, hiking, jogging, and fishing along the Chattahoochee River. There is also White Water, a family water park, and Six Flags Over Georgia, the region’s premier amusement park.
MARIETTA, population 50,000+ - this beautifully preserved and lovingly maintained city is rich in history and proud of its heritage. The city, centered by a popular old-fashioned town square is the county seat of Cobb County. The Square in Marietta has been charmingly landscaped and is now the setting for an old-fashioned gazebo, fountain, and children’s play area complete with a miniature General, the famous train engine used in the Civil War. Around the square are located judicial and government offices, as well as quaint antique and specialty shops, a live theater, and restaurants. From spring through fall the Square is a major draw as it is host to many festivals and both day and evening concerts.
Marietta has one of the finest public golf courses in the metro area at the Marietta City Club. Today fine columned antebellum mansions stand alongside large Victorian gingerbread homes creating picturesque streets that are a window to the past. Home styles are mostly traditional and range from historic homes to new subdivisions with swim-tennis amenities. Prices (excluding the antebellum homes) range from $150,000 to over $1 Million.
EAST COBB, Beginning in the 1970’s this area east of Marietta’s city limits outward to the Fulton County line experienced an explosion of growth as people moved out to the suburbs. A vibrant and very desirable family oriented area of lovely homes, convenient shopping, and some of the finest schools, many of which have won state and national awards of excellence. Neighborhoods are usually defined by well-planned subdivisions with active community associations. Many communities have their own pool and tennis facilities. Though there is not much more room to grow, small enclaves of new homes continue to be built, and there is usually a good selection of new and resale homes available in all styles and prices. This area has some of the most lavish homes in Cobb County and prices vary from the low 100’s to over $800,000, with many wonderful new and existing homes available in the $250,000 to $550,000 range.
NORTH COBB, This area of gently rolling terrain is still largely wooded and has been popular for larger lots and lower home prices than closer-in areas, continues to attract more families every day. The area has been experiencing steady growth for several years since the construction of I-575 made this beautiful section of the county accessible. New subdivisions continue to be developed which is driving the development of new shopping and retail centers. There is usually a good selection of new and resale homes in all styles, and prices range from about $140,000 to $500,000+. Despite all the recent progress, the area still exudes a warm country atmosphere and the people are very friendly.
WEST COBB, Essentially everything west of I-75 is considered West Cobb. What was once predominantly country is now one of the most rapidly growing areas in metro Atlanta, and the rolling, wooded terrain lends itself beautifully to residential developments. Most homes in West Cobb are traditional, and are available in all ages and prices range from $140,000 to over $700,000. There are also several golf communities. Harrison High and McEachern High School are two of the finest in the county and homes in these school districts are much sought after.
SMYRNA, population 34,000+ - originally a Methodist campground Smyrna has no historic town center. Known as the Jonquil City, this is a community that takes pride in improvement. The city has new public buildings and a new community center. Located in the midst of a commercial building boom at the intersection of I-285 and I-75 with Cumberland Mall and the Galleria complex, which includes a mall, a hotel, the Cobb Convention Center, and several office towers, the city still retains its quality as residential community. Due to the commercial expansion there are few properties left for residential construction, so most available homes are resale, however there is some new upscale residential development going on. Traditional ranch homes are very popular and in demand due to the convenient location of this area to I-75 and I-285, the perimeter highway. There are also townhomes, cluster homes, and condominiums. Neighborhoods are very stable as residents enjoy the location so much they seldom move. Like many areas near the perimeter (I-285), home prices have escalated in the last few years with prices ranging from $175,000 to $400,000+.
VININGS, population 6800+ - A picturesque historic village on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Vinings has its own upscale shopping area and fine restaurants, as well as its own skyline of gleaming office towers. This charming and close-in area is very near Buckhead, major medical centers, the Galleria office and shopping complex, and in close proximity to fine private schools, and has become the choice of many affluent families. Taxes and land acquisition costs are lower than in northwest Atlanta, making home purchase dollars go farther. Homes are on large lots and the most popular are Williamsburg traditional and country rustic, with some Tudor and contemporary. There are some townhomes, cluster homes and condominiums. Small enclaves of upscale ($400-$700,000) new homes are being developed to satisfy demand for this excellent location as builders are able to acquire any small tract of land. Prices in general are high, beginning at $200,000+.