South Fulton, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
City of South Fulton, Georgia
Renaissance, Georgia
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Location in Fulton County and the state of Georgia
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 City of South Fulton, Georgia
Location in Metro Atlanta
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| Country | United States | ||||
| State | Georgia | ||||
| County | Fulton | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • Total | 86.25 sq mi (223.40 km2) | ||||
| • Land | 85.22 sq mi (220.71 km2) | ||||
| • Water | 1.04 sq mi (2.69 km2) | ||||
| Elevation | 797 ft (243 m) | ||||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 107,436 | ||||
| • Rank | 293rd in the United States 8th in Georgia |
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| • Density | 1,260.75/sq mi (486.78/km2) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||||
| FIPS code | 13-72122 | ||||
| GNIS feature ID | 2786574 | ||||
South Fulton is a city in Fulton County, Georgia, United States in the Atlanta metropolitan area. It was incorporated in 2017 from parts of southwest Fulton County and includes the communities of Red Oak, Cooks Crossing, Stonewall, Fife, Ben Hill, Sandtown, Cliftondale, Ono, Cedar Grove, Boat Rock/Dry Pond, Maude, Lester, Enon, Welcome All, Peters Woods, and part of Campbellton. As of 2020, it had a population of 107,436, making it the state's eighth-largest city in population. As of 2020, South Fulton has the highest African American percentage of any U.S. city over 100,000, surpassing highly African American cities such as Detroit and Jackson.
Contents
History
The 2016 Georgia General Assembly passed bill HB514 to incorporate South Fulton. Governor Nathan Deal signed the bill into law on April 29, 2016. On November 8, 59% of the citizens of what would become South Fulton voted to charter the city. This referendum was part of a “cityhood movement” in the Atlanta metropolitan area that began in 2005 with the incorporation of Sandy Springs on the north side of Atlanta. Several other communities in Fulton voted to incorporate in 2007.
With the passage of the South Fulton referendum in 2016, Fulton County became the first county in Georgia with no unincorporated residential areas. As a result, in 2017 Fulton County also became the first county in Georgia to cease providing municipal services such as fire, police, zoning, and code enforcement. Many former Fulton County personnel and facilities were transferred to the City of South Fulton.
On March 21, 2017, South Fulton held elections for mayor and city council, followed by runoff elections before incorporation took effect on May 1.
The first mayor of South Fulton was Bill Edwards, who previously served on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners from 2000 to 2014. His term expired on December 31, 2021.
In November 2017, after a one-year waiting period mandated by state law, the city council selected Renaissance as the new name for the city after allowing residents to suggest names. More than 200 names were submitted, and the list was pared to 20, including Campbellton (a historical town now partly within the city), Atlanta Heights, Wolf Creek and retaining South Fulton. Following a three-week public notice period and two regular public meetings, which are required to amend the city charter, the city council approved the name change in December 2017. However, Mayor Edwards vetoed the name change on December 18, citing several reasons, including contracts and some public opposition.
In its first eight months, South Fulton created its infrastructure, navigated financial challenges and began a transition from Fulton County services.
In 2023, it was announced that approximately 700 acres along Old National Highway, one of the primary commercial corridors in the city, is set for major revitalization. The revitalization project is scheduled to be completed by 2028.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 107,436 | — | |
| 2021 (est.) | 108,575 | ||
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 |
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| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2020 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 3,402 | 3.17% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 96,463 | 89.79% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 148 | 0.14% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 459 | 0.43% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 33 | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 729 | 0.68% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 2,674 | 2.49% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3,528 | 3.28% |
| Total | 107,436 | 100.00% |
South Fulton was first listed in the 2020 U.S. census. As of the 2020 census, its population was 107,436.
According to the 2020 census, South Fulton had a racial and ethnic composition which is approximately 90% Black or African American. Non-Hispanic whites made up 3.17% of the population, followed by 2.49% multiracial Americans, 0.68% some other race, 0.43% Asian American, 0.14 Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, and 3.28% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
Fulton County Public Schools serve the city. The majority of students in the city are under the Westlake Cluster.
Westlake Cluster
- Westlake High School
- Camp Creek Middle School
- Seaborn Lee Elementary School
- Frank D. McClarin Success Academy
- A. Philip Randolph Elementary School
- Sandtown Middle School
- Stonewall Tell Elementary School
Parks and recreation
South Fulton has over 10 parks. The city also offers recreation centers, tennis courts, aquatic centers, hiking trails, biking trails, and various fitness programs.
Public libraries
Atlanta–Fulton Public Library System operates in South Fulton.
