Buford, Georgia
Seal of Georgia
Buford · Gwinnett County, Georgia
Population 17,611 (est. 2026: ~18,900)
Source: Census ACS 2023 · ACS 2023 + 2.19% annual growth projection

Buford, Georgia

Gwinnett County, Georgia · Population 17,144

Buford sits at the northern edge of Gwinnett County, about 35 miles northeast of Atlanta, where suburbia gives way to lake country. Lake Lanier's shoreline begins just north of town, and the proximity to one of Georgia's most-visited reservoirs shapes Buford's identity as much as anything. The city has grown fast — it is part of the broader Gwinnett expansion that has turned a once-rural county into Georgia's second-most-populous, with nearly 957,000 residents. Buford itself remains relatively small at 17,144 people, but its school system is notably large and well-regarded, drawing families from beyond city limits. The Mall of Georgia, just south in unincorporated Gwinnett, anchors the area's retail gravity. For Atlanta commuters who want more space, a lake nearby, and above-average schools, Buford is a calculated choice.

People & Demographics

Buford's 17,222 residents skew young, with a median age of 35.6. Children under 18 number 5,536 — nearly a third of the population — which explains the scale of the school system. Average household size is 3.39, well above what most suburban communities show, reflecting the concentration of family households: 3,779 of the city's 5,019 total households are family units.

The city is diverse. White residents make up 9,946, Black residents 2,147, and Asian residents 704. The Hispanic and Latino population is substantial at 5,380 — roughly 31% of the total population — making Buford meaningfully more Hispanic than Gwinnett County overall. That demographic reality shows up in the school enrollment figures and in the commercial corridors along Hamilton Mill Road and Buford Drive, where Spanish-language businesses are common.

Economy & Employment

Median household income in Buford is $68,165, and per capita income is $28,751. Those figures sit modestly below Gwinnett County's broader economic profile and below Georgia's statewide median household income, which tracks with Buford's mix of working-class and middle-income households. The poverty count stands at 1,586 residents.

The labor force numbers 7,388 people, with 217 unemployed — an unemployment rate of roughly 2.9%. The local economy draws from logistics, retail (the Mall of Georgia corridor is minutes away), light manufacturing, and the full range of services that support a fast-growing suburban population. Many residents commute into Atlanta or other Gwinnett job centers rather than working in Buford itself.

Housing

Buford's 5,800 housing units include 5,019 occupied and 781 vacant. Owner-occupied units account for 3,618 — about 72% of occupied housing — giving the city a decidedly ownership-oriented character. Renters occupy 1,401 units.

Median home value is $292,300. Median gross rent is $1,147 per month. Both figures reflect the North Gwinnett market, where proximity to Lake Lanier and good schools has sustained demand. Housing is not cheap, but compared to closer-in Atlanta suburbs, Buford still offers relative value for the school district access it provides.

Schools

Buford operates an unusually large public school system for a city its size, with schools serving students well beyond the city's residential population.

High Schools - Buford High School — Grades 9–12, 1,846 students - Seckinger High School — Grades 9–12, 1,638 students

Middle Schools - Twin Rivers Middle School — Grades 6–8, 1,616 students - Jones Middle School — Grades 6–8, 1,562 students - Buford Middle School — Grades 6–8, 1,426 students

Elementary Schools - Ivy Creek Elementary School — Grades PK–5, 1,572 students - Buford Academy — Grades 1–3, 1,297 students - Patrick Elementary School — Grades PK–5, 891 students - Buford Senior Academy — Grades 4–5, 876 students - Friendship Elementary School — Grades PK–5, 684 students - Harmony Elementary School — Grades PK–5, 609 students - Buford Elementary School — 402 students

Buford City Schools operates independently from Gwinnett County Public Schools, which is one of the largest school districts in the nation. The city district's reputation is a primary reason families choose to live inside Buford city limits specifically.

Getting Around

Buford is car-dependent. Of 7,030 workers, 5,454 drive alone and 822 carpool. Public transit carries just 19 workers, and 8 walk to work. A meaningful 704 — about 10% — work from home. Aggregate commute time across all workers totals 176,140 minutes, suggesting an average one-way trip of roughly 25 minutes. Interstate 985 and GA-20 are the main arteries, with I-85 accessible to the south for Atlanta-bound commuters.

Healthcare

Several hospitals serve the Buford area within Gwinnett and adjacent counties:

For a searchable directory of individual healthcare providers licensed in Buford, the NPI Registry lists credentialed clinicians by city.

Library

The Buford-Sugar Hill Branch of the Hall-Gwinnett regional library system serves the community. Contact: (770) 978-5154. The branch is located within the city and functions as the primary public library for Buford and the Sugar Hill area to the south.

Parks & Recreation

Lake Lanier is the dominant outdoor asset — its public access points, marinas, and shoreline parks begin at Buford's northern boundary. Several National Park Service units are within reasonable driving distance:

The Van Pugh South Day Use Facility and Van Pugh North Park Shelter — both on Lake Lanier — provide camping and day-use access. The Island Ford Visitor Center for the Chattahoochee River NRA is approximately 22.3 miles away.

Natural Hazards

Gwinnett County, which includes Buford, has accumulated a long FEMA declaration history. Declared disasters and emergencies going back to 1977:

The pattern reflects Georgia's actual hazard profile: winter storms that shut down infrastructure quickly, hurricane remnants pushing heavy rain and wind inland, and periodic flooding along creek and river corridors. Ice events are disproportionately disruptive for a region with limited winter road treatment capacity.

Government & Municipal Code

Buford's municipal code is published through Municode and is publicly accessible at library.municode.com/ga/buford. No separate building code is listed in the municipal code repository — residents and contractors should confirm current building requirements directly with city offices.

Weather

Current forecasts and alerts for Buford are available through the National Weather Service:

The nearest weather observation station is Suwanee 5 E, approximately 2.2 miles from Buford.

References

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)