Located in both Gwinnett and Hall counties, Buford is an upper-middle class city best known as something of a middle ground between Charlotte and Atlanta. In fact, Buford was built to serve such a purpose. Initially founded in the late 1800s, Buford was built around a new development of railway, connecting the two aforementioned cities. The area was a hotspot for the leather industry, and that combined with its convenient position on the rail lines meant the population boomed in the early 1900s. With the rise of the car and the fall of leather demands, Buford is no longer quite the economic juggernaut it was during the early 20th century, and now remains as a mostly residential city, with diverse but small industries within city limits. Many notable people call Buford their home, including semi-retired professional wrestler Steve Lawler and Widespread Panic guitarist Jimmy Herring.
Buford, GA Population & Demographics
Buford has a population of 16,143 distributed over 17.5 miles at a population density of about 900 people per square mile. The median age here is 36.4, which is about the same as the Georgia average of 36.7. The median household income in Buford is $59,855, which is more or less the same as the average household income for the state of Georgia, being $58,700.
The racial demographics of Buford’s population are primarily Caucasian, with Whites making up 57% of Buford’s population. The second largest community is Hispanics, who make up 27% of Buford’s population. Buford’s gender ratio is skewed towards women, at 53%.
Buford’s zip codes include 30515, 30518, and 30519, while the area codes are 678 and 770. Buford is about a 40 mile distance away from Atlanta, and if you want to travel from Buford GA to Atlanta it will take about 40 minutes. Buford’s time zone is Eastern Daylight Time, and sits at an elevation of 1,184.
Thinking about moving to this community, but wondering if Buford is a safe place to live? According to Areavibes, Buford has a crime rate 2% lower than the Georgia average, with violent crime being 12% lower than the average for the entire country. However, property crime is slightly higher than average, though by no means out of control. Buford is a pretty safe place to live in GA and simple practices like making sure everything is securely locked will be the most you’ll need to avoid being the victim of a crime in Buford. Buford’s police department is the Gwinnett County Police Department, North Precinct.
Cost of Living in Buford, GA
Buford is upper-middle class, as previously stated, but despite this and its proximity to Atlanta, it’s actually very affordable, as shown with the cost of living here only being 7% lower than most places in the United States, according to Payscale. Homes in Buford will cost you around $239,100, which is around 1.4 times higher than the average Georgia home price of $176,000. If you choose to move to Buford, you’ll find that you’ll be paying less for things like transportation and utilities, but more for things like groceries. In terms of renting in Buford, renting is a break with Buford’s general trend of being affordable, with an average cost of $1,502 per month for all units.
Buford is a semi-affluent area that is simultaneously affordable, making the best of both worlds! If you want to get a lot of value out of your dollar, Buford is the place for you.
Best Neighborhoods in Buford, GA
Buford draws in people with excellent schools, beautiful properties at reasonable prices, and more. No matter where you choose to live in Buford, you’re sure to love it! However, there are plenty of choices to be made when tailoring a community specifically to you and your family. Check out some of your neighborhood options below:
Buford has a diverse array of properties at similarly diverse prices on offer, so there’s something for everyone! Neighborhoods like Brogdon Garrett Rowe represent the creme de la creme of Buford neighborhoods, with expansive properties that often sell in the millions. On the other side of the spectrum, neighborhoods like Bradford Farms have more modest, but still nice, properties that typically go for $200-300k.
If you want to make yourself a part of any of these communities, you should check out the latest listings for homes for sale in Buford, GA.
If you want to know where things are, check out this map of Buford.
Buford, GA Climate & Weather
Georgia’s a Southern state through and through, and it’ll hardly surprise you if you know anything about that area’s climate. Expect heat, humidity, lots of rain but little snow. You can expect lows of 30 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months, and highs of 87 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. Buford experiences more than the average amount of rainfall when compared with the rest of the United States, with 54 inches per year as compared to 38 inches. Meanwhile, Buford experiences much less snow than the national average, with only 2 inches as compared to 28. The best times to visit Buford, in terms of comfort rating, are May and September.
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Things to Do in Buford, GA
From great shopping to fun attractions suitable for the whole family, Buford has everything you need within city limits. Check out shopping centers nearby like the immensely popular Mall of Georgia or Marketplace at Millcreek for all your shopping needs! You should also check out some of the best things to do in Buford, GA below:
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
Margaritaville is a whole bunch of attractions rolled into one! With extensive pool facilities, a fairgrounds with rides, and a whole host of other things to do, this resort will entertain you indefinitely, and is a favorite amongst Buford locals.
7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford, GA 30518, (470) 323-3440
Paranoia Quest
Don’t worry — despite the scary name, we swear it’s fun! Paranoia Quest is one of many new escape room facilities, and a fine one at that! With a variety of rooms and situations to think your way out of, this is a fun activity with the whole family!
3333 Buford Dr, Buford, GA 30519, (678) 310-8756
Buford, GA Additional Attractions:
The city of Buford’s parks & rec department operates eight parks within city limits for residents to enjoy. See all of Buford’s parks at the Buford parks & recreation site.
Places to Eat in Buford, GA
Alongside its host of things to do, Buford is also home to plenty of great eats! Check out some below:
Provino’s
All good cities must have an equally good Italian place — it’s an unchangeable law of nature. Thankfully, Buford has just that! Provino’s is a local Georgia chain which serves excellent dishes from the old country, cooked by master chefs!
3420 Buford Dr #500, Buford, GA 30519, (770) 904-0242
Parma Tavern
If you’re not so much about the traditional sit-down fancy dinner, and more into karaoke and live music while you eat, Parma’s your place! This Buford local joint serves spins on all your favorite dishes while also having great drinks and great tunes to listen to.
3350 Buford Dr #200, Buford, GA 30519, (678) 541-0908
Buford, GA Schools & Colleges
Buford is served by its very own school district, the Gwinnett County School District. Schools are the reason many choose to move to Buford, with over half of this prestigious district’s schools being rated “Above Average” by Greatschools. Some highlights in terms of local schools include Ivy Creek Elementary, Buford Middle School, and Buford High. You can rest easy knowing your child will have some of the best education in the state during your stay in Buford!
Buford’s library needs are served by the Gwinnett County Public Library.
Jobs in Buford, GA
Those planning on making a living in Buford should know that wages have been going up and cost of living has been going down, according to Payscale. The most popular positions of employment are Operations Manager, Office Manager, and Human Resources Coordinator. Meanwhile, the largest employers in the area are the Theragenics Corporation, Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc., and Makita Usa, Inc.. The average salary for a worker in Buford is $60k a year, while the average hourly wage is $15.77.
If you’re living in Buford, you’ve got access to plenty of opportunities! Check out the latest listings for jobs in Buford, GA here.
Moving to Buford, GA Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Affluent, but also affordable
- Plenty of economic opportunity
- Safe communities
Cons:
- Humid and hot for much of the year
Ready to take that last step and start your journey to making Buford your new home? Give Wirks Moving a call at 404-635-6683! Our crew of highly-trained professional Buford movers will ensure your move is a stress-free process at affordable rates! Call now or fill out our online form for a free quote!
