Milton, Georgia | |
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 Milton Public Library | |
 Flag  Seal  Logo | |
| Motto: "Named best quality of life in Georgia" | |
 Show Milton Show Fulton County Show Georgia Show the United States | |
| Coordinates:34°07′56″N84°18′02″W / 34.1321631°N 84.3006660°W /34.1321631; -84.3006660 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | Fulton |
| Incorporated | December 1, 2006 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Peyton Jamison[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 39.11 sq mi (101.29 km2) |
| • Land | 38.50 sq mi (99.72 km2) |
| • Water | 0.60 sq mi (1.56 km2) 1.6% |
| Elevation | 942 ft (287 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 41,296 |
| • Density | 1,073/sq mi (414.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 30004, 30009 |
| Area codes | 770, 678 |
| FIPS code | 13-51670 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2404269[3] |
| Website | miltonga |
Milton is a city inFulton County, Georgia, United States, located about 30 miles (48 km) north of downtownAtlanta. Incorporated on December 1, 2006, the population was 41,296 as of the 2020 census. Milton is one of the wealthiest cities in the state of Georgia[4] and is known for its high quality of life, excellent schools, and affluent community.
The city is named after Revolutionary War heroJohn Milton, who is also the namesake of the formerMilton County that included modern-day Milton between 1857 and 1931. With over 39 square miles of land, much of it agriculturally zoned, Milton is characterized by its rural and equestrian heritage, spacious residential lots, and a small-town feel combined with the amenities of a metropolitan area.[5] It is bordered by Cherokee and Forsyth counties, as well as the cities of Roswell and Alpharetta.
The lands of what is now Milton, Georgia, were once the domain of theCherokee Nation, whose presence in Georgia dates back over 10,000 years. This indigenous group, speaking anIroquoian language, cultivated a society with a strong kinship system, with their social life revolving around village structures,ceremonial mounds, and agricultural practices, notably corn farming. The arrival of European settlers from coastal Georgia, the Carolinas, and beyond brought new dynamics to the region. These early settlers engaged intrade with the Cherokee and, at times, intermarried, creating a blended frontier society. However, the relationship between the two groups became increasingly strained due to escalating demands for land by state and federal governments, a situation exacerbated by thediscovery of gold in nearbyDahlonega in 1828. The subsequent desire for land acquisition led to the tragicTrail of Tears in 1832, mandated by PresidentAndrew Jackson, which forcibly removed the Cherokee from Georgia to designated territories in present-day Oklahoma.[6]
Following theCherokee removal, the State of Georgia implemented aland lottery system, with the final lottery in 1832 involving the territory that would become Milton. Settlers drawn by the prospect of land ownership began to populate the area, converting the dense forests into farmland and pastures. The agricultural landscape was dotted with smallsubsistence farms and a few larger plantations, withcotton emerging as a significantcash crop alongside the production of fruits, vegetables, and livestock. The community's roots deepened with the establishment ofMilton County in 1857, named afterJohn Milton, anAmerican Revolutionary War hero and politician. Despite the county's initial opposition tosecession, the broader state sentiment led Georgia into theCivil War, profoundly affecting the local population.[6]
At the turn of the 20th century, the area remained mostly forested and agricultural – the exception being small villages and crossroads with general stores and trading posts, mills and gins, churches, a few schools, and inns at the intersections of horse and carriage routes. While fruits and vegetables were grown, and cattle and pig farms existed, many people continued to raise cotton as a cash crop. The advent of theautomobile and the establishment ofHighway 9 in the 1920s began to bridge the distance between Milton and the expanding world beyond its borders. Despite these connections, the county faced insurmountable financial pressures from theGreat Depression, theboll weevil infestation, and a prolonged drought. These challenges led to the dissolution of Milton County in 1932, with its territory being absorbed into Fulton County.[6]
The area retained its rural character for decades, even as the rest ofNorth Georgia, particularly Atlanta, experienced explosive growth. People in the area tended to keep the same types of jobs, agriculture, and daily schedules as they had before the counties merged. Homes tended to be few and far between,racial segregation remained a reality, and the community revolved largely around churches, schools, and gathering spots like general stores and baseball diamonds.[6]
However, as Atlanta's population tripled between 1910 and 1960 and more roads were built and paved, people began settling further from Georgia's capital city. The construction ofState Route 400 and other infrastructure projects gradually brought more residents and development to the region, yet Milton managed to preserve its pastoral identity, in part due tozoning that favored larger,septic-dependent lots conducive to horse farms and rural living.[6]
After the turn of the 21st century, a movement forlocal governance emerged, driven by the belief that the needs of the northernmost part ofFulton County were not adequately prioritized by distant county officials. The legislative process to establish a city began in earnest when Georgia State RepresentativeJan Jones introduced the bill for the city of Milton in January 2005 with the intent of moving the bill forward in January 2006. This gave residents one full year to consider all the ramifications of cityhood before the bill could become law. A City of Milton Citizens' Committee helped coordinate information and research.[6]
On March 9, 2006, the bill establishing the new city of Milton (HB 1470) resoundingly passed both in theGeorgia House of Representatives (127–21) and in theGeorgia State Senate (49–0). At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28,GovernorSonny Perdue signed the bill into law. Aballot referendum was approved by 85 percent of voters on July 18 to create the city of Milton.[6]
On August 4, Governor Perdue appointed a five-person commission to serve as the interim government of Milton (composed of Ron Wallace,Brandon Beach, Gregory Mishkin, Dan Phalan and Cecil Pruitt).[7] The city's first general election for Mayor and City Council was held on Tuesday, November 7, 2006. Joe Lockwood won the first mayoral election. The city of Milton was officially incorporated and adopted Fulton County's existing ordinances on December 1, 2006.[8]
Working initially out of converted commercial office spaces, city leaders began forging Milton's unique identity as it transitioned to local governance. Plans were set in motion to launch Milton's ownpolice services on May 1, 2007, andfire department 16 days later. At the same time, city officials created the city code, developed community programs, conducted community events, and moved into city-owned properties, including a newly builtcity hall (opened 2017) and its Public Safety Complex (opened 2020).[6]
Joe Lockwood served as mayor for Milton's first 15 years, succeeded by Peyton Jamison. Milton is also led by city managers who oversee all municipal operations as well as the effective, efficient execution and enforcement of city laws and ordinances.[6]
While Milton's government evolved, the city's population grew. TheU.S. Census measured Milton's population at 32,661 in 2010; ten years later, the Census counted 41,296 residents – a more than 26% increase.[9]
Milton occupies the northern tip of Fulton County—bounded on the south by the cities ofRoswell andAlpharetta, on the east byForsyth County and Alpharetta, and on the north and west byCherokee County. The city's latest Comprehensive Plan[10] divides Milton into eight "character areas" that each have, to some degree, their own unique attributes; they are Arnold Mill, Bethany, Birmingham, Central Milton,Crabapple, Deerfield, Milton Lakes and Sweetapple.
The two major north–south roads that run through Milton areState Route 9 (in the city's southeast) andState Route 372 (more central), which is also known as Birmingham Highway.State Route 140 (Arnold Mill Road) is on the southwest part of Milton.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the city of Milton has a total area of 39.2 square miles (101.4 km2), of which 38.5 square miles (99.8 km2) is land and 0.62 square miles (1.6 km2), or 1.59%, is water.[11] The elevation ranges from 950 to 1,280 feet (290 to 390 m) abovesea level.
As of April 2007[update], theUS Postal Service recognizes Milton as a valid alias forZIP code 30004, which is served from the Alpharettapost office.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 32,661 | — | |
| 2020 | 41,296 | 26.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010[13] | Pop 2020[14] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 23,653 | 25,802 | 72.42% | 62.48% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 2,865 | 3,882 | 8.77% | 9.40% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 59 | 74 | 0.18% | 0.18% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 3,380 | 6,446 | 10.35% | 15.61% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | 9 | 10 | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 153 | 247 | 0.47% | 0.60% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 583 | 1,821 | 1.79% | 4.41% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,959 | 3,014 | 6.00% | 7.30% |
| Total | 32,661 | 41,296 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 41,296 people, 13,540 households, and 10,366 families residing in the city.
Milton is one of the wealthiest cities in the state of Georgia[4] with a median household income of $142,845[9] and $178,317 for families.[15] Between 2018 and 2022, 74% of people in Milton owned their home.[9] The median sold home price as of September 2024 is $1,179,000.[16] Approximately 3.8% of the population lives below thepoverty line.[9] The vast majority of Milton is part of the ZIP code 30004, which has a median household income of $136,124.[17]
The city is represented in theGeorgia House of Representatives byJan Jones of the 47th District andChuck Martin of the 49th District both Jones and Martin are Republicans. The city is represented inGeorgia State Senate byJason Dickerson of the 21st District a Republican and is represented in Fulton County Commission by Bob Ellis of District 2 a Republican.
The city is served byFulton County Schools.[18]
Municipalities and communities ofFulton County, Georgia,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
Authority control databases: Geographic |
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