The U.S. Census Bureau reports the population of Georgia has increased by more than 2.9% between 2020 and 2023, with over 11 million people in the state. That’s on top of the 10.6% population increase the state experienced from 2010 to 2020. Georgia ranks as the 8th most populous state in the country.
For Georgia real estate agents, this growth is a huge opportunity. And that brings up the question: Which are the fastest-growing cities in Georgia? Our research shows that right now it’s a great time to work in smaller areas around major cities.
Here are the 10 fastest-growing cities in Georgia in 2024 with a population of at least 25,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
1. Chamblee
Population in 2022: 29,830
Population in 2023: 31,841
Population Percentage Change: 6.74%
Chamblee’s convenient location just 14 miles from downtown Atlanta makes it ideal for workers commuting into the city. Two nearby interstate highways (I-285 and I-85) give drivers easy access to the metro Atlanta region. Chamblee is also known for its vintage architecture and a renovated downtown district that includes townhomes and lofts.
Real estate facts: As of August 2024, the median listing home price in Chamblee was $551,000.
2. McDonough
Population in 2022: 30,346
Population in 2023: 32,138
Population Percentage Change: 5.91%
Named after a military hero from the War of 1812, McDonough is a historic city in Henry County that has recently experienced rapid growth. The city is 30 miles south of Atlanta and boasts a central town square surrounded by many shopping and dining options. The influx of new residents has helped transform McDonough from a rural town to a suburban hub known for its festivals and cultural events.
Real estate facts: As of August 2024, the median listing home price in McDonough was $323,400.
3. Gainesville
Population in 2022: 45,327
Population in 2023: 47,265
Population Percentage Change: 4.28%
Don’t mistake this Georgia city with the larger one in Florida. The “Poultry Capital of the World” is the ideal spot for people who want a lake lifestyle removed from the activity of Atlanta. The area is known for its water recreation on Lake Lanier, which surrounds the city on three sides.
Real estate facts: As of August 2024, the median listing home price in Gainesville was $542,500.
4. Kennesaw
Population in 2022: 33,547
Population in 2023: 34,683
Population Percentage Change: 3.39%
Kennesaw touts itself as having small-town charm with big-city amenities. Over the years, it’s become a relocation destination for families and businesses looking to be close to the Atlanta metro area. Known as a “kid-friendly” city, the area is rich in outdoor attractions, including the Kennesaw Mountain National Park and the Smith-Gilbert Gardens.
Real estate facts: As of August 2024, the median listing home price in Kennesaw was $430,000.
5. Canton
Population in 2022: 35,771
Population in 2023: 36,857
Population Percentage Change: 3.06%
Further north in Cherokee County sits Canton. The city is nothing like it was two decades ago when just 7,700 people called it home. This sleepy little town has attracted Georgians who want beautiful foothill views and easy access to the Blue Ridge Mountains while still being about an hour from Atlanta.
Real estate facts: As of August 2024, the median listing home price in Canton was $624,900.
6. Woodstock
Population in 2022: 37,349
Population in 2023: 38,473
Population Percentage Change: 3.01%
Woodstock is a prime example of how the Atlanta metro is sprawling further outward. The city, 30 miles from Atlanta, is part of Cherokee County and has been one of the fastest-growing areas for well over a decade. Recently, Money Magazine named Woodstock one of the best places to live in the U.S. based on economic, diversity, and safety factors.
Real estate facts: As of August 2024, the median listing home price in Woodstock was $523,200.
7. Douglasville
Population in 2022: 37,948
Population in 2023: 39,049
Population Percentage Change: 2.90%
Established in 1875, Douglasville was originally named “Skint Chestnut” after a tree used by Native Americans as a landmark. The downtown area has many fine examples of Victorian and Queen Anne architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Conveniently located 20 miles west of Atlanta, the city’s scenic trails, historical ruins, and unique architecture have been filming locations for the popular series Stranger Things.
Real estate facts: As of August 2024, the median listing home price in Douglasville was $360,000.
8. Warner Robins
Population in 2022: 82,182
Population in 2023: 84,537
Population Percentage Change: 2.87%
Warner Robins started as a small agricultural town named Wellston. Big changes came to the area during World War II when the U.S. military built Robins Air Force Base just outside the city limits. Wellston was renamed Warner Robins after a U.S. military general. Since then, the area has grown rapidly. Robins Air Force Base is one of Georgia’s biggest employers and a source of economic stability for the local community.
Real estate facts: As of August 2024, the median listing home price in Warner Robins was $265,000.
9. Pooler
Population in 2022: 28,740
Population in 2023: 29,544
Population Percentage Change: 2.80%
Pooler is a historic city in Chatham County that has experienced amazing growth in the last 20 years. It’s firmly planted in the thriving Savannah metro area. Gulfstream Aerospace and other large manufacturers are located nearby, fueling the area’s economic activity. Pooler highlights include the Mighty Eighth Airforce Museum and Tom Triplett Community Park.
Real estate facts: As of August 2024, the median listing home price in Pooler was $394,700.
10. Atlanta
Population in 2022: 498,771
Population in 2023: 510,823
Population Percentage Change: 2.42%
The metro Atlanta area is the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States with a population of about 6.1 million people. Population growth in the area is expected to continue at a rapid pace. The Atlanta Regional Commission projects an additional 1.8 million new residents will move to the area by the year 2050. To accommodate such tremendous growth, developers and government officials anticipate large investments in housing and infrastructure in the coming decades.
Real estate facts: As of August 2024, the median listing home price in Atlanta was $415,000.
10 Fastest-Growing Georgia Counties
Between 2021 and 2022, Georgia had two of the top 10 fastest-growing counties in the nation. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Dawson County and Lumpkin County both experienced an annual growth rate of 5.8%.
Between 2022 and 2023, Lumpkin County’s growth rate slowed to 1.59%, while Dawson County came in at 5.11%. Here are the 10 fastest-growing counties by percentage growth in Georgia with a population of at least 25,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau:
Jackson County, 5.48%
Dawson County, 5.11%
Barrow County, 3.97%
Monroe County, 3.92%
Effingham County, 3.63%
Walton County, 3.53%
Pickens County, 3.28%
Bryan County, 3.15%
Union County, 2.78%
Habersham County, 2.72%
The Fastest-Growing Metro in Georgia
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Georgia’s fastest-growing metro area is the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro area. Between 2022 and 2023, the region had 6,307,261 people, a year-over-year increase of about 69,000 new residents.
Updated 9/5/24