With a population of 26,600, Duluth, Georgia is a growing suburb of Atlanta that offers a real sense of community. Just recently, it was named 'One of the Best 100 Cities in America' by Reader's Digest. Those moving to Duluth will discover that the weather is hot and humid in the summer and cool in the winter.
Economy:
Duluth's cost of living is less that the national statistic. That, along with an average monthly rent of $875 and the median cost of a home at about $180,000, makes this suburb an affordable choice for anyone moving to the Atlanta area. Most occupations are in retail, management and professional fields, with the most popular jobs coming from Home Depot, McKesson, Tenet Healthcare, Fiserv and IBM. In 2010, Business Week named Duluth one of the Best Affordable Suburbs in America. Recent job growth has been negative, but the overall unemployment rate tends to stay a little lower than the US average.
History:
The city is named after a French explorer, Daniel Greysolon Du Luth, who helped with agreements between Indian tribes in 1679. The area was part of the Cherokee Indian territory and was opened to settlers in 1818. Evan Howell, an officer in the confederate army and a politician, was instrumental in adding roads and the railroad in order to expand and develop the area. The railroad gave Duluth a boost and it prospered in the late 1800s. In 1906, it was officially incorporated as the City of Duluth, and in 1922 Georgia's first female mayor, Alice Harrell Strickland, was elected into office. It is viewed often as a model city in Georgia.
Tourism:
Because of the railroad history in Duluth, one of the most popular attractions for tourists is Southeastern Railway Museum. Situated on over 30 acres, it has evolved from a small facility in the 1970s to a large museum visited by thousands of visitors from all over the world. Mega Amusements, Inc has a theme park in Duluth for families to enjoy. The McDaniel Farm Park offers an intriguing look at how it was to live on a cotton farm in the 1930s. Because Duluth is right next door to Atlanta, there is never a lack of things to do for anyone visiting the area.