Cartersville
RANK #881 / 996 NAT · #31 / 41 GA · POP 109,410
1YR FORECAST: -1.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +13%
Bartow County, Georgia, located approximately 45 miles north of Atlanta, offers a blend of historical significance and natural beauty. Cartersville, the county seat, is notable for its three Smithsonian-affiliated museums, including the Tellus Science Museum and the Booth Western Art Museum. The county is also home to the Etowah Indian Mounds, a 54-acre archaeological site along the Etowah River, reflecting thousands of years of Native American history. Residents and visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation at Lake Allatoona and Red Top Mountain State Park, which offer opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and camping. Commuting to Atlanta is common, with Interstate 75 providing a direct route, and local transit services are available within the county.
Life in Bartow County combines a small-town atmosphere with access to larger city amenities. The community attracts families, with public schools in the Bartow County School District receiving positive ratings. The local economy is experiencing investment across several sectors, including manufacturing, energy, and data centers. This growth is contributing to an increased demand for housing and a focus on developing diverse housing options. The county's economic development efforts aim to create job opportunities and a competitive job market for its residents.
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Bunkhouse Data Center Campus
Undisclosed Developer (working with Kimley-Horn)
|
$19,000M | Proposed |
|
EV Battery Manufacturing Facility
Hyundai Motor Group and SK On
|
$5,000M | Under Construction |
|
Project Springbank Data Center Campus
Atlas Development, LLC
|
$4,500M | Proposed |
|
Solar Manufacturing Facility (Ingots, Wafers, Cells, Panels)
Qcells
|
$2,500M | Under Construction |
|
Grand Etowah Mixed-Use Development
Willoughby Investments
|
$2,400M | Proposed |
|
Natural Gas Units at Plant Bowen
Georgia Power
|
$1,500M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Bartow County scores just 11/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #881 of 996 counties. Job growth at +3.9% and median household income of $74,812 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Bartow County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $237,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,090/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Bartow County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.4% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +3.9% clip. Home values shifted -0.0% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 5.35% of Bartow County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.