Always wanted to live in a quiet city with friendly neighbors and Southern charm? You’ll love living in Palmetto, GA. Palmetto is a small city in northern Georgia, providing scenic beauty and affordable living. Named after the Palmetto Regiment from the Mexican-American War, the community was officially incorporated as a town in 1854. Palmetto is known for being a peaceful suburb of Atlanta offering residents low crime and a high quality of life. Today, Palmetto, GA is a good place to live for families and young professionals who work in Atlanta. Here is everything you should know before moving to Palmetto.
Where Is Palmetto?
Palmetto is mostly in Fulton County, Georgia, although parts are in Coweta County. It’s on the outskirts of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta metropolitan area, with downtown accessible via I-85, which runs directly adjacent to the city. Palmetto is bordered by nearby communities like Tyrone, Fairburn, Chattahoochee Hills, and Madras.
It’s about 99 miles or a 2-hour drive from Palmetto, GA, to Athens, GA, while downtown Atlanta is about 27.3 miles or a 36-minute drive.
Palmetto Population and Demographics
The population of Palmetto is 5,071, according to the 2020 census. An increasing number of residents are drawn to the area due to the high quality of life it offers, and the population has increased by 12.1% since 2010. However, it still has a very calm, rural ambiance with a population density of 408.5 residents per square mile.
There are significantly more women than men in Palmetto, as 61% of residents are female and only 39% male. It’s also a very young community, and 57% of residents are under 40. However, there are still plenty of families living in Palmetto, and about 55% of households are married couples.
Other Palmetto Demographics
- The median age is 37.8 years old.
- The median household income is $48,266, which is about 25% lower than the rest of the state.
- The racial and ethnic breakdown is 25% White (23.7% non-Hispanic), 60% Black or African-American, 6% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 4% two or more races.
- 82.5% of residents have a high school diploma or higher, while only 19.8% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- The foreign-born population is 9.3%.
Moving to Palmetto is very safe. The total crime rate is 1,534 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 36.3% lower than the statewide average and 34.6% lower than the country. The violent crime rate is also 49% lower than the state and 47.4% lower than the country, while the property crime rate is 33.8% lower than the rest of Georgia and 32.1% lower than the rest of the US.
The Palmetto Police Department controls crime in the city with the help of 14 sworn officers and three civilian employees.
Cost of Living in Palmetto, GA
The cost of living in Palmetto, GA is very affordable compared to the rest of the US. A good way to analyze how much it costs to live in a particular place is to use the cost of living index, which compares the affordability of an area to the national average, which is represented by 100. The COLI for the Palmetto area is 90.6, which indicates it’s 9.4% less expensive than the rest of the United States.
The Family Budget Calculator created by the Economic Policy Institute says that a family of four would need to earn $86,398 to afford to live in Fulton County.
Additional Palmetto living expenses
- Loaf of bread: $3.90
- A gallon of milk: $2.44
- Carton of eggs: $2.26
- Bunch of bananas: $3.38
- Hamburger: $5.16
- A gallon of gas: $1.13
- Average Palmetto Utilities: $241
Source: Payscale
The Palmetto real estate market is also remarkably affordable for its high quality of life and proximity to a major metro area. Redfin states that the median listing price for homes for sale in Palmetto is $301,000, which is 34% below the national average. The median price per square foot of Palmetto GA real estate is $146.
Palmetto also has plenty to offer renters, and about 46% of housing is occupied by tenants. The median rent in Palmetto is $1,206 per month. RentCafe says that prices start around $950 for a studio and go up to $2,695 for a 3-bedroom.
Palmetto Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Palmetto
Moving to Palmetto offers many amazing neighborhoods with spacious homes and well-manicured lawns. The most sought-after communities tend to be in the southwest, while the most affordable are in the northern part of the city. Here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Palmetto.
Asbury Park | A Picturesque Palmetto Neighborhood with Affordable Homes
Asbury Park is a gorgeous residential neighborhood in east Palmetto with new homes in the $200,000 to $300,000 range and quiet tree-lined streets.
Palmetto Cove | A Centrally-Located Community of Modern Townhomes
Palmetto Cove is a gorgeous community of townhomes in the northern part of the city developed by acclaimed builder Starlight Homes that offers spacious properties with modern fixtures and an easy commute to Atlanta.
Kingsbrook | A Quiet, Family-Friendly Palmetto Neighborhood
Kingsbrook is a peaceful residential community in southwest Palmetto, offering excellent schools and spacious estates in a range of architectural styles.
Palmetto Climate and Weather
According to the Koppen climate classification system, the Palmetto climate is subtropical, with hot, muggy summers and cold, short winters. The temperature usually ranges from about 34°F to 89°F but can get as low as 21°F in the winter and as hot as 95°F in the summer. So, the best time to visit Palmetto is May through June or late August through October.
Although it’s rare, it occasionally snows in Palmetto, and the city averages about 2 inches of snowfall per year. Rain is much more frequent, and the city averages about 52 inches of rain per year. So bring an umbrella if you plan on moving to Palmetto.
Things to Do in Palmetto
Even though Palmetto is mostly a small residential community, residents will still find many attractions and activities nearby. A few shops are scattered around State Route 14 and I-85, although you’ll need to head into Atlanta for brand-name retailers. Lenox Square Mall, Ponce City Market, and Atlantic Station are all local shopping centers that are relatively close. Along with shopping, here are a few other fun things to do in Palmetto, GA.
Wilkerson Mill-Farris Park
Wilkerson Mill-Farris Park is an excellent neighborhood park in Palmetto with many amenities, including picnic shelters, playgrounds, sports fields, and outdoor exercise equipment.
8095 Wilkerson Mill Rd, Palmetto, GA 30268 (770) 463-6300
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Serenbe Trail Riding
Serenbe Trail Riding is a local equestrian center near the famous Inn at Serenbe that offers visitors the opportunity to ride a rescue horse along one of the lush rolling Hills of Fulton County.
10950 Hutchesons Ferry Rd, Palmetto, GA 30268 (770) 463-2610
The Georgia Renaissance Festival
Located just north of Palmetto in Fairburn is the site of the Georgia Renaissance Festival, a seasonal attraction with Renaissance-themed entertainment, artisan shops, games and rides, concessions, and more, making it one of the best things to do in Palmetto, GA, with kids.
6905 Virlyn B Smith Rd, Fairburn, GA 30213 (770) 964-8575
Additional Palmetto Attractions
If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Palmetto, the city of Palmetto Parks and Recreation Department maintains the public green spaces in the community, as well as local facilities like the Train Depot and history museum.
Palmetto Restaurants
Residents will also find many excellent restaurants in Palmetto, GA, serving everything from Greek to Soul Food. Here are a few of the top places to check out.
Frank’s Family Restaurant
Frank’s is a family-owned restaurant offering Greek, Italian, and American food with classic menu items like surf and turf specials, chicken gyros, lasagna, and more.
1188 Collinsworth Rd, Palmetto, GA 30268 (770) 463-5678
Supermercado La Bendición
Supermercado La Bendicion is another one of the top Palmetto GA restaurants for those who like authentic Mexican with tacos, quesadillas, and burritos crafted with handmade tortillas.
544 Main St, Palmetto, GA 30268 (678) 961-7633
King’s Soul Food
King’s Soul Food is one of Palmetto’s best-kept secrets, serving mouthwatering entrees like ribs, catfish, and lamb chops in a no-frills setting.
400 Carlton Rd, Palmetto, GA 30268 (404) 819-3317.
Jobs in Palmetto
Moving to Palmetto also offers many employment opportunities and a stable economy. The largest industries in Palmetto are retail, manufacturing, and hospitality, and most Palmetto Ga jobs are in sales, management, office and administration, and production occupations. Although you’ll find some jobs in Palmetto, GA, commuting to Atlanta offers a wider range of possibilities.
The largest employers in Fulton County are:
- Northside Hospital
- Piedmont Healthcare
- Marriott International
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- Cox Enterprises
According to Payscale, the average rate for an hourly worker in Palmetto is $16 per hour. The average wage for typical Palmetto jobs includes:
- Accounts receivable: $13
- Computer-aided design (CAD) Designer: $17
- Nanny: $14
- Tractor operator: $17
The city of Palmetto also employs many residents and has job openings in occupations ranging from police officer to EMT.
Palmetto Schools
The primary Palmetto school district is Fulton County Schools, the fourth largest district in the state, with 109 schools and over 90,000 students enrolled. However, some parts of the city are zoned for the Coweta County School System.
Palmetto Elementary School is the only public school located in the city. It’s a Title I Distinguished School and ranks within the top 500 Georgia Elementary schools according to US News and World Report. High schools serving Palmetto include the top-rated Northgate High School, Creek Side High School, and Independence High School.
There are no private schools in the city, but a few in the surrounding areas serve students living in Palmetto, including the Landmark Christian School, The Bedford School, and Crossroads Christian Academy.
Students can also stop by the Palmetto Branch of the Fulton County Library to take out books and other media.
Palmetto Statistics & Information
- Palmetto County: Fulton and Coweta County
- Palmetto Area: 12.04 square miles
- Palmetto GA zip code: 30268
- Area code: 770
- Elevation: 1,020 feet
- Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (GMT-5)
- Closest airport: The Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is 20 miles away.
Palmetto, GA Map
Explore more fun things to do, attractions, and restaurants in Palmetto with this map.
Ready to experience living in Palmetto for yourself? Count on our Palmetto movers to make your upcoming relocation simple and stress-free. Call 404-635-6683 today for a free, personalized estimate.
