Located in the foothills of northwest Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains, Dalton is known as the Carpet Capital of the World. Many of its 34,500 residents work at carpet manufacturers in the area or commute to Chattanooga, Tennessee, about 30 miles northwest. "It's a great area if you're looking for a little bit of bang for your buck," says Trevor Smith, a broker with Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty who's sold homes in the area for nine years. "A lot of people move here and then commute further to work so they can have a little bit nicer house for a little bit less money." The median home price in Dalton is just over $260,000, about 30% less than the median in Chattanooga. Tree-filled residential neighborhoods surround Dalton's historic downtown, while new developments have been steadily popping up on the city's outskirts.
Dalton is known as the Carpet Captial of the world with many stores and manufacturers.
Dalton is located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains offering scenic views.
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The historic McCarty Subdivision and new developments
Dalton has two residential historic districts: the McCarty Subdivision south of downtown and the Thornton Avenue-Murray Hill Historic District to the west. Homes closer to downtown were typically built from the 1940s to the 1960s and sit close together along hilly, tree-filled streets. Newer contemporary homes are more common in suburban neighborhoods on the city's outskirts. The median price for a single-family home is $275,000, though larger custom homes can be over $500,000. Townhouses and condos are also available, mainly on the city's northern edge; most are in the $200,000 to $250,000 range.
You'll find traditional style homes in Dalton's Thornton Avenue-Murray Hill Historic District.
Larger contempory custom homes in Dalton can go for up to $500,000.
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Youth sports at Heritage Point Regional Park
According to the Trust for Public Land, almost half of all residents in Dalton are within walking distance of the city's 16 urban parks. They include downtown's 1-acre Burr Performing Arts Park, which hosts annual events like the Off the Rails Summer Music Series. Parks with sports fields include the 300-acre Heritage Point Regional Park and Riverbend Athletic Park. "Dalton's a booming location for travel sports," Smith says, particularly baseball, softball and soccer.
The newest park is the 300-plus-acre Haig Mill Lake Park, where residents can walk the trail around the lake and fish, kayak and canoe. The city is building paved trails to connect Haig Mill Lake Park to downtown; other improvements include renovations at the John Davis Recreation Center.
There are at least 8 baseball fields ath Herritage Point Park in Dalton.
Burr Performing Arts Park hosts performances and events for Dalton residents.
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Local retail and restaurants in downtown Dalton
Trees line the walkable streets of downtown Dalton, whose early 20th-century brick buildings, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, are home to locally owned shops, antique stores and restaurants. "You don't have to go to Chattanooga to find somewhere good to eat," Smith says. Big-box retailers and national chain restaurants are along the city's edges.
Local owned shops line the streets of Downtown Dalton.
Big box retailers in Dalton include Walmart for grocery needs.
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Annual events at the Dalton Convention Center
Dalton's Creative Arts Guild, located downtown, offers classes, performances and arts festivals. Contemporary plays and musicals are staged at the Dalton Little Theatre and the Artistic Civic Theatre. The Dalton Convention Center on the city's west side features trade shows, expos and sports competitions; to the north, the North Georgia Fair Association's Fairgrounds hosts concerts and carnivals throughout the year.
Dalton's Creative Arts Guild host performances throughout the year.
The Dalton Convention Center features sports competitions and trade shows.
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Dalton High School's championship soccer team
The city is served by Dalton Public Schools, which earns a B-plus from Niche. Dalton High is known for the Dalton Catamounts boys' soccer team, which has won seven state championships, most recently in 2023. Christian Heritage School is a popular private option, receiving an A rating from Niche. Dalton State College enrolls over 4,500 students in 24 bachelor's degree programs.
Dalton State College is a public college with over 4,500 students.
Dalton High School has over 1,600 enrolled students.
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Traveling via Interstate 75
"People want close access to the interstate so that they can get where they want to go quickly, and Dalton is right on Interstate 75," Smith says. "It's about 40 minutes south of Chattanooga and probably about an hour north of Atlanta." Glenwood Avenue is the main road through the city center, with U.S. Highway 41 to the north and State Route 52 to the south. With no public transportation or bike lanes, residents rely on their cars to get around. The Hamilton Medical Center is in the city's northwest. Residents can take direct domestic flights at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, about 30 miles northwest.
Dalton crime rates and environmental concerns
According to the City of Dalton Public Safety Commission, Dalton Police Department statistics show that violent and property crime rates decreased in 2023 compared to the prior five years.
Overall, the city experiences hot summers and mild winters. Dalton is a central freight rail corridor and manufacturing hub, and there is a risk of hazardous spills and accidents. The city has prepared for future incidents by employing 24 hazmat technicians and maintaining the fire department's hazmat supplies.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
