Source: NewsBreak —
Georgia residents are more than familiar with population growth. It’s been happening around them for decades, after all. The nation’s 12th-fastest growing state in 2022, Georgia has seen a nearly 14% population increase since 2010. While the state’s housing costs are still quite affordable compared to some other regions, there’s no question that the influx of new residents has also spurred on pricing surges for both homebuyers and renters alike.
That said, not all areas are created equally. Of Georgia’s 159 counties, five are currently leading the way in what the median buyer is paying for their home, according to real estate data aggregator Redfin. Each of these areas sees a median price well above the $344,000 figure that represents the state overall. Many have numerous reasons for their lofty prices – better education systems, stronger job markets, etc. Others have benefited from the growth of the state as a whole.
So we’ll take a look at each of the Peach State’s most expensive areas in detail – how prices are trending, what advantages they have, and whether or not there are any signs of prices abating in the near future. We’ll start with the fifth-most expensive county below:
5. Fayette County – $453,000 median sale price
Like most pricier areas tend to be, Fayette is located near one of the state’s cultural and economic hubs – in this case, Atlanta. Roughly 10 miles south of the city limits, Fayette is one of the area’s primary suburbs, albeit a small one with a population of roughly 120,000. The county’s eastern border is largely defined by the Flint River, which runs along the majority of the county and is home to some of the area’s more rural and exurban housing.
Roughly a third of the county’s residents reside in its largest city of Peachtree, while another large segment resides in the county seat of Fayetteville. Both areas, as well as the overall county, have long been fast-growing, even when compared to Georgia’s overall brisk pace. Combined with the low housing inventory, it’s no surprise to see prices elevated in this area.
In addition to its proximity to the Atlanta job market, Fayette has one other major advantage: the public school system. Consistently ranked among the state’s best, Fayette County can offer younger families both steady employment for parents and solid education for children, a combination that continues to make the area attractive to new residents.
4. Morgan County – $454,000 median sale price
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