County Seat: Lawrenceville
Population: 606,112
Average Income: $63,999
Average List Price, 2003 $203,231
Average Sale Price, 2003 $199,210
Median 2-Bdr. Apt. Rental: $843
Sales Tax: 6%
Property Tax: $32.16/ per $1000 of assessed value (unincorporated)
Travel Time: Hartsfield Intl. Airport: 50 minutes
Downtown Atlanta: 30 minutes
Cities/Geographic Areas: Auburn, Berkeley Lake, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Grayson,
Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Loganville, Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Snellville,
Sugar Hill, Suwanee
Web Site:
www.gwinnettchamber.org
Gwinnett County was chartered by the state in 1818 and was named for Button Gwinnett, the third signer of the Declaration of Independence. Gwinnett who was killed in a duel shortly after signing the Declaration, drafted the first state constitution and served as governor of Georgia until his untimely death. This once rural county has experienced phenomenal growth since the late 60's and in 1984 became the fastest growing county in the United States. It is still in the top ten for continued growth. One of the reasons for this growth may be the outstanding employment opportunities. Since 1980 more than 2000 industrial companies and 700 manufacturing firms have moved to Gwinnett. The county has become a high-tech center with more than 375 high tech firms located in the Peachtree Corners and Technology Park areas, and over 250 international firms have operations in the county.
Education is another good reason to consider moving to Gwinnett. The public school system ranks among the top in the country and the county has continued to build new schools to keep pace with growth. Gwinnett Tech is the largest community college in the state. Gwinnett has homes in all price ranges from moderate to lavish, Lake Lanier for recreation, two of the largest regional malls in the state, and a new Civic and Cultural center, making it a great place to live, work, and raise a family. This county of beautiful countryside, lakes, and rivers also has easy access to downtown and other metro areas via I-85 and I-285.
SCHOOLS
School Information
Board of Education (770) 963-8651
Private Schools (K-12)
Greater Atlanta Christian (770) 243-2000
Killian Hill Christian (770) 921-3224
Northeast Atlanta Christian School (770) 962-5423
Providence Christian Academy (770) 279-7200
Colleges and Technical Schools
Gwinnett Technical Institute (770) 962-7580
Gwinnett Center, University System of Georgia (770) 995-2196
TAG AND LICENSE
Gwinnett County Tag Office (770) 822-8801
Georgia State Patrol (770) 995-6896
UTILITIES
Electricity
City of Buford (770) 945-6761
City of Lawrenceville (770) 963-2414
City of Norcross (770) 448-2122
Georgia Power (404) 325-4001
Jackson EMC (770) 963-6166
Sawnee EMC (770) 887-2363
Walton EMC (770) 972-2917
Gas
Choose A Supplier (877) GASCHOICE
Buford Gas Company (770) 945-6761
Lawrenceville Gas Company (770) 963-2414
Telephone
BellSouth (770) 780-2355 or (800) 356-3094
Water
Gwinnett County Water and Sewer (770) 822-8811
Buford (770) 945-6761
Dacula (770) 963-7451
Lawrenceville (770) 963-2414
Norcross (770) 448-2122
Sugar Hill (770) 945-6716
RECREATION
Gwinnett has the Chattahoochee River on the western boundary and Lake Lanier in the northwest corner to provide a wide variety of water sports and activities. Stone Mountain Park is just to the south and offers golfing and a variety of outdoor family activities including miniature golf, picnicking, swimming, tennis, boating, and camping. Public tennis courts and parks are scattered throughout the county and there are several public and private golf courses. Gwinnett also has the Yellow River Wildlife Game Ranch in Lilburn which is a 24 acre petting zoo of free roaming deer and other native wildlife popular with children. Gwinnett also has a Fine Art Center and the Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center which is home to galleries and a sculpture garden, showing art from a permanent collection as well as touring exhibits.
BUFORD, population 9200+ - this fast growing small town once served as a train depot along the shores of Lake Lanier and got its name from railroad president A.J. Buford in 1871. Buford is the only city in the county with a separate school system. Buford which located in the northernmost part of the county along the shores of Lake Lanier, has experienced a significant part of the great Gwinnett building boom which has kept the county in the top ten in the US for continued growth. Homes consist of both existing traditional ranch and split level and newer open floor plan designs in swim/tennis communities with predominant prices being in the $150K- 275K range.
LAWRENCEVILLE, population 19,000+ - the county seat, Lawrenceville was named after War of 1812 navel hero, Captain John "Don't Give Up The Ship!" Lawrence. Lawrenceville has a quaint Victorian town square lined with shops and restaurants, but is also home to the ultra-modern Gwinnett Medical Center and a large modern administration complex just west of the square. Homes around town are mostly brick or frame traditionals on gently rolling land with mature trees and range in price from about $150K -500K+. There are newer swim/tennis communities with home prices in the $160K-300K range.
DULUTH, population 18,500+ - once named Howell's Cross Roads after the first white settler Evan Howell in 1821, the name was changed to Duluth in 1871 after its sister city of Duluth, Minnesota. Duluth was once the site of some very large cotton plantations, which after the Civil War were made into several smaller plantations. Today these plantations have given way to business and residential development. Located about 25 minutes from Atlanta, 25 minutes from Lake Lanier, and an hour south of the North Georgia Mountains, Duluth offers a great place to live for families. Some of the most affluent homes in the county are located here with prices up to $2 million. A wide variety of new and recent swim/tennis subdivisions exist priced from the $130's to the $300's, and a good selection of communities from the $300's to $600's.Gwinnett Place Mall, one of the larges in the southeast is located in Duluth, and four country clubs are located in the area.
LILBURN, population 10,800+ - incorporated in 1910, Lilburn is a product of the railroad which passes through town. A small town atmosphere with a casual lifestyle, Lilburn is close to Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park and only about 20 minutes from two regional malls, Northlake and Gwinnett Place. A variety of new and existing homes exist with prices from the low $100's to the $250's+.
NORCROSS, population 6400+ - the counties second oldest city dating back to 1817, is a city of contrasts. The lovingly restored downtown business district built from 1895 to 1920 and the older city residential areas dating to 1835 (both on the National Register of Historic Places) are situated close to many ultra modern high tech firms in nearby Peachtree Corners technology park. Norcross is a small friendly place to live with excellent schools, several city parks and an active community association. Homes vary in age, style, and price with older one story ranches around the low $100's, condo's from the low to mid $100's, and new and recent homes ranging from the mid $100's to $500. Most homes are priced from about $175,000 to $300,000.
SNELLVILLE, population 15,000+ - a bedroom community with a country flavor, Snellville founded in 1883 was originally called New London, and in 1885 was renamed after one of the founders, Thomas Snell. The city was incorporated in 1923. The city which is convenient to Atlanta, has many small shopping centers, a large park and several lighted tennis courts and the counties only private hospital, Humana Hospital Gwinnett. Homes vary in style with traditional being the most popular. Prices range from about $125K to $500K+, with many newer communities priced from about $130 to the mid $200's. Homes in the higher price range are usually on larger estate size lots or have acreage.
SUWANEE, population 5800+ - a small town known for hosting the Atlanta Falcons Training Camp each spring, is now a very popular residential area located just south of Buford and Lake Lanier. Suwanee, founded at the turn of the century as a result of railroads linking it to other towns, was named after a Cherokee Indian village once located nearby. The town was not incorporated until 1949. Once known as an excellent community for young families or those desiring more house for the money, today Suwanee is located in a very desirable area to live. This entire area along the Interstates 400, 985, and 85 north corridor is experiencing brisk residential development as it has become one of the hottest areas to live in metro Atlanta. Suwanee has beautiful new communities in a wide range of prices from the $140's to over $600,000+. The largest selection of new homes are priced from the $200,000's to $300,000+.
SUGAR HILL, population 9300+ - a small town not incorporated until 1939, and primarily a residential community, Sugar Hill is located just south of Lake Lanier and just west of Buford. Home prices range from around the $150's to $300+.