| Gwinnett County, Georgia | |
 Location in the state of Georgia |
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 Georgia's location in the U.S. |
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| Seat | Lawrenceville |
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| Largest city | Lawrenceville |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
437 sq mi (1,131 km²) 433 sq mi (1,121 km²) 4 sq mi (10 km²), 0.91% |
| PopulationEst. - (2009) - Density |
800,080 1,360/sq mi (525/km²) |
| Founded | 1818 |
| Named for | Button Gwinnett |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
 Gwinnett County courthouse in Lawrenceville, Georgia
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| Website | www.co.gwinnett.ga.us |
Gwinnett County is a suburban county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 15, 1818. As of the 2000 census, the population was 588,448. The 2009 Census Estimate placed the population at 800,080, the second most populous county in Georgia.[1] It is estimated to be the 9th fastest growing county in the country in terms of numeral increase. The county seat is Lawrenceville.[2]
The county was named for Button Gwinnett, one of the delegates who signed the United States Declaration of Independence on behalf of Georgia.
This county is within the five-county core part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area). It contains many suburbs of Atlanta, many of whose residents commute using the major highway, Interstate 85. Despite recent efforts of forming a public bus system, the average commute time in Gwinnett County is 30.8 minutes, ranking it the highest in metropolitan Atlanta and 18th highest nationwide (2003 census).
Gwinnett County's population is approximately 18.3 percent of the total Atlanta region population and has captured 26% of the region's growth since 2000[2], growing faster numerically than any other county in the region for the past 25 years running. It was the third-largest county on the list of 100 fastest-growing counties in the nation from 2000–2004.[3]
Gwinnett County Public Schools is the largest school system in Georgia and the fastest-growing in the Southeastern United States,[3] with 113 total school facilities and a projected 2007–2008 enrollment of 159,258 students.
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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 437 square miles (1,131 km²), of which, 433 square miles (1,121 km²) of it is land and 4 square miles (10 km²) of it (0.91%) is water.
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Forsyth County | Hall County and Jackson County | |
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| Fulton County |  |
Barrow County | ||
 Gwinnett County, Georgia  |
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| DeKalb County | Rockdale County | Walton County |
Interstate 85
Interstate 985
U.S. Route 23
U.S. Route 29
U.S. Route 78
State Route 8
State Route 10
State Route 13
State Route 20
State Route 84
State Route 120
State Route 124
State Route 140
State Route 141
State Route 264
State Route 316
State Route 317
State Route 324
State Route 347
State Route 365
State Route 378
State Route 403
State Route 419| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 25,585 |
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| 1910 | 28,824 | 12.7% | |
| 1920 | 30,327 | 5.2% | |
| 1930 | 27,853 | −8.2% | |
| 1940 | 29,087 | 4.4% | |
| 1950 | 32,320 | 11.1% | |
| 1960 | 43,541 | 34.7% | |
| 1970 | 72,349 | 66.2% | |
| 1980 | 166,903 | 130.7% | |
| 1990 | 352,910 | 111.4% | |
| 2000 | 588,448 | 66.7% | |
| Est. 2009 | 800,080 | 36.0% | |
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 588,448 people, 202,317 households, and 152,344 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,360 people per square mile (525/km²). There were 209,682 housing units at an average density of 485 per square mile (187/km²). The racial makeup of the county is currently 52.2% White non-Hispanic, 19.8% Black, 0.2% Native American, 9.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.32% from other races, and 2.15% from two or more races. 17.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Gwinnett County has the largest Latino and Asian populations in the state of Georgia.
There were 202,317 households out of which 42.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.20% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.70% were non-families. 18.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.28.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.20% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 37.50% from 25 to 44, 20.30% from 45 to 64, and 5.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 101.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $60,537, and the median income for a family was $66,693. Males had a median income of $42,343 versus $31,772 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,006. About 3.80% of families and 5.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.90% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.
In the mid 1990s and 2000s Gwinnett County experienced explosive growth and what could be hailed as a cultural and economic revolution. It is one of the most diverse and developed regions in suburban Atlanta and both the population of African Americans, Latinos, and Asians has increased in recent years. In 2008, the county recorded 789,499 people, which is a population growth of over 34% since the 2000 census. It is hailed as one of the fastest growing counties in the country. In 2008, 50.3% the population was made up of White non-Hispanic, 22.0% Black, and 18% Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2007, the median income for a household in the county was $64,005. 27% of the businesses in Gwinnett County are minority owned.
The Asian population increased 77% to 81,289 since 2000 and now makes up 14% of the population.[5] The Latino population increased from 64,137 in 2000 to 132,123 in 2007 — a 106 percent increase. The county ranks 25th in the nation in total Hispanic population increase. In 2000, Latinos comprised 11 percent of the county’s population. In 2007, it was 17 percent.[6]
American Megatrends is headquartered in Building 200 at 5555 Oakbrook Parkway in unincorporated Gwinnett County, near the city of Norcross.[7] NCR Corporation has its headquarters in unincorporated Gwinnett County, near Duluth.[8] Primerica Financial Services is headquartered in an unincorporated area.[9] Waffle House is headquartered in unincorporated Gwinnett County,[10] near Norcross.[11]
At one time Marble Slab Creamery had its headquarters in unincorporated Gwinnett County.[12]
By 2009 many Mexican drug cartels established operations in Gwinnett County. The cartels settled in Gwinnett because the members could blend into the largest Latino population in Georgia and because the county had a large number of rental houses.[13]
The Consulate-General of Honduras in Atlanta is located in unincorporated Gwinnett County.[14]
Gwinnett County is accessible by major interstates as well as several US Highways. Interstate 85 runs through Gwinnett from DeKalb County at its southwestern entry point, and Barrow County in the northeast. Interstate 985 branches off Interstate 85 at Exit 113 near Suwanee.
Several U.S. Highways run through Gwinnett County as well. US Route 23 runs through Duluth and Suwanee. US Route 29 runs through Central Gwinnett through Lawrenceville. US Route 78 runs through the Southern portion of Gwinnett County. All of the U.S. Highways are east-west throughout Gwinnett County (although U.S. Routes 23 and 29 run north-south throughout most of its route).
Gwinnett County is served by several Georgia State Routes. State Route 316 branches off Interstate 85 at Exit 106 after the Pleasant Hill Exit 104. This highway connects metropolitan Atlanta with Athens, where the University of Georgia is located. A second route is State Route 124, also known as Scenic Highway. This serves as the main route between Lawrenceville and Snellville. A third highly used route is State Route 120, which runs from Tallapoosa (west of Atlanta) to Lawrenceville. A fourth major route is State Route 20, which runs Northwest to Southeast in Gwinnett County through Grayson, Lawrenceville, Buford, Sugar Hill, and Cumming (in Forsyth County). And a fifth major route is State Route 8, which parallels State Route 316, connects East to West between Auburn, Dacula, Lawrenceville (where it merges with US Route 29) and continues through Lilburn and eventually into Atlanta and Austell.
Gwinnett County Transit is the County's bus public transit system.
Gwinnett County is primarily reached through Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The county also has its own airport, the Gwinnett County Briscoe Field. This is Gwinnett's municipal airport near Lawrenceville, accessible by GA Route 316.
Under Georgia's "home rule" provision, county governments have free rein to legislate on all matters within the county, provided that such legislation does not conflict with state or federal law, or the state or federal Constitutions.
Gwinnett County is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, which has both legislative and executive authority within the county. The chairman of the Board is elected county-wide and serves in a full-time position. The other four Commissioners are elected from single-member districts and serve in part-time positions. The Board hires a County Administrator who oversees day-to-day operations of the county's 11 executive departments. Gwinnett County also has a separate police department under the authority of the Board of Commissioners.
In addition to the Board of Commissioners, county residents also elect a Sheriff, District Attorney, Probate Court Judge, Clerk of State/Superior Court,Tax Commissioner, State Court Solicitor, Chief Magistrate Judge (who then appoints other Magistrate Court judges), Chief Superior Court Judge and Superior Court Judges, and a Chief State Court Judge and State Court Judges.
Gwinnett County has the largest public school system in the State of Georgia.
| Senators | Name | Party | First Elected | Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senate Class 2 | Saxby Chambliss | Republican | 2002 | Senior Senator | |
| Senate Class 3 | Johnny Isakson | Republican | 2004 | Junior Senator | |
| Representatives | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Gwinnett County Represented | |
| District 4 | Hank Johnson | Democratic | 2006 | Lilburn, Norcross | |
| District 7 | John Linder | Republican | 1992 | Rest of county | |
| District | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Gwinnett County Represented | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Curt Thompson | Democratic | 2004 | Norcross, Lilburn, Tucker | |
| 9 | Don Balfour | Republican | 1992 | Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Loganville, Mountain Park, Snellville | |
| 41 | Steve Henson | Democratic | 2002 | Lilburn, Tucker | |
| 45 | Renee Unterman | Republican | 2002 | Buford, Dacula, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Loganville, Sugar Hill, Suwanee | |
| 48 | David Shafer | Republican | 2001 | Berkeley Lake, Duluth, Peachtree Corners | |
| 55 | Gloria Butler | Democratic | 1999 | Centerville, Stone Mountain | |
| District | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Gwinnett County Represented | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Tom Rice | Republican | 1996 | Berkeley Lake and Peachtree Corners | |
| 95 | Toney Collins | Democratic | 2008 | Centerville and Stone Mountain | |
| 96 | Pedro Marin | Democratic | 2002 | Norcross | |
| 97 | Brooks Coleman | Republican | 1992 | Duluth | |
| 98 | Bobby Reese | Republican | 2004 | Buford, Rest Haven, Sugar Hill, Suwanee | |
| 99 | Hugh Floyd | Democratic | 2002 | Lilburn and Norcross | |
| 100 | Brian Thomas | Democratic | 2004 | Duluth, Lawrenceville, Lilburn | |
| 101 | Mike Coan | Republican | 1996 | Lawrenceville | |
| 102 | Clay Cox | Republican | 2004 | Lilburn, Mountain Park, Tucker | |
| 103 | David Casas | Republican | 2002 | Five Forks, Lawrenceville, Lilburn | |
| 104 | John Heard | Republican | 2002 | Lawrenceville | |
| 105 | Donna Sheldon | Republican | 2002 | Braselton, Dacula, Hamilton Mill, Hog Mountain | |
| 106 | Melvin Everson | Republican | 2005 | Five Forks, Lilburn, Snellville | |
| 107 | Len Walker | Republican | 1994 | Snellville and Loganville | |
Gwinnett County is home to three hospitals: Gwinnett Medical Center (Lawrenceville), Gwinnett Medical Center - Duluth and Emory Eastside Medical Center.
GMC (which also operates Gwinnett Medical Center - Duluth) is the largest healthcare provider in the county. It is a non-profit, 500-bed healthcare network located in Gwinnett County, Georgia. GMC consists of two hospitals, plus several supporting medical facilities, with more than 4,300 employees and more than 800 affiliated physicians. GMC provided care to more than 400,000 patients in 2007. [4]
Gwinnett County Public Schools operates public schools.
The Gwinnett County Public Library system has 14 branch locations spread throughout Gwinnett County. The newest branch library opened October 28, 2006, in Grayson, Georgia. Construction started on the Hamilton Mill branch in Dacula, Georgia in the fall of 2008; this branch is scheduled to open in the winter of 2010 and will be the fifteenth branch location. The library system was named Library of the Year in 2000 by Library Journal magazine.
Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation (GCPR) manages 39 parks and facilities. In all, the park system comprises more than 8,000 acres. As of fall 2008, eight parks are under construction, and the county is planning several others for future development.
One reason GCPR can aggressively pursue and purchase park property is the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). Gwinnett county voters approved the $0.01 sales tax in 1996 (extending it in 2000, 2004, and 2008). The county uses the sales tax proceeds for park purchases, transportation improvements, library construction, and public safety expenses.
On May 2008, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) announced that GCPR was a finalist for the Gold Medal award, recognizing "Excellence in Park and Recreation Management" (Class 1 category, pop. 250,000+). GCPR went on to win this award on October 15, 2008, beating out three other finalists. The NRPA Gold Medal is widely considered the most prestigious award of its kind.
The minor-league affiliates of the NHL Atlanta Thrashers and the MLB Atlanta Braves all play home games in the area, which has created a cost-saving move, since the parent clubs' scouts can observe the players' home games nearby. Furthermore, call-ups to the top league are much cheaper for the teams.
| Club | Sport | League | Venue |
| Gwinnett Gladiators | Hockey | ECHL | Arena at Gwinnett Center |
| Gwinnett Braves | Baseball | International League | Gwinnett County Ballpark |
| Atlanta Vision | Basketball | American Basketball Association | Suwanee Sports Academy |
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