Woodstock
RANK #863 / 996 NAT · #27 / 41 GA · POP 268,567
1YR FORECAST: -1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +13%
Cherokee County, Georgia, distinguishes itself with Lake Allatoona, a significant recreational lake offering fishing, boating, and sandy beaches. Located in northwest Georgia, the county is part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, with its southern parts closest to the city. Commuting to Atlanta is common, with options like the Xpress commuter coach service available from park-and-ride lots in Woodstock. The community blends suburban living with access to the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, providing extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. Over 43 miles of trails, 22 parks, and access to the Etowah River for kayaking and fishing contribute to the area's natural appeal.
Life in Cherokee County often appeals to families, drawn by the Cherokee County School District, which serves over 42,000 students across 40 public schools. The county has seen rapid growth, with a focus on balancing residential development with commercial and industrial expansion. Economic development efforts aim to diversify employment beyond its historical manufacturing base, shifting towards professional services, technology, education, and healthcare. Major employers include Pilgrim's Pride, Chart Industries, and Inalfa Roof Systems. The county's GDP grew by approximately 15% from 2018 to 2022, indicating recent economic expansion.
Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.5x — home prices are high 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Cherokee County scores just 13/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #863 of 996 counties. Job growth at +3.4% and median household income of $100,824 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Cherokee County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $358,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,580/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Cherokee County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.5% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +3.4% clip. Home values shifted -1.0% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.78% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cherokee County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.