Hoschton is a fast-growing Georgia city that retains a small-town feel
Hoschton, located between Atlanta and Athens, is the fastest-growing city in Georgia. As the state grapples with housing shortages and rising costs, Hoschton has become the center of development in Jackson County, the fastest-growing county in the state and one of the fastest-growing in the country. Amid this residential transformation, Hoschton’s population increased roughly 150 percent from 2020 to 2024. Presently, more than 7,000 residents live here. Yet, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Hoschton still has a single-street downtown, and it is anchored by historic attractions and well-rated schools. “It’s a growing community that still has that small-town, Southern vibe,” says Dawn Crosby of Bolst, Inc., who lives in Hoschton.
Twin Lakes is a premier destination for people moving out of the Atlanta metro area
New housing is concentrated in planned developments. “We have a lot of new communities that are either already developed, still in construction or coming soon,” Crosby says. Twin Lakes is Hoschton’s premier destination. The master-planned community is slated for 2,600 homes in total, split between an all-ages setting and the amenities-filled 55-plus Cresswind at Twin Lakes. Cresswind has won several regional and national homebuilder awards since it opened, and new homes continue to be built. “This whole area has exploded,” Crosby says. “Everyone is moving north from Atlanta and Gwinnett County to get away from the traffic and the expanding infrastructure. You’re gonna get a bigger bang for your buck up here.” Contemporary model homes with driveways and attached garages sit close together in walkable subdivision settings. The typical all-ages home is a multi-level dwelling, whereas homes in Cresswind tend to be smaller. Similar homes can also be found in smaller planned developments elsewhere in the city. Cresswind’s HOA fees are about $300 per month. Outside of the 55-plus setting, they are well under $100. New, non-HOA homes mingle with an eclectic mix of older homes in the heart of the city. Acreage homes dot the rural landscape in the remaining undeveloped areas. Contemporary townhomes with driveways and attached garages can be found in planned residential settings as well. The median sales price for the city’s array of housing options is $500,000. The region’s climate is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters.
Restaurants, shops found along Highway 53 from Hoschton into Braselton
Dining and shopping options are concentrated along Highway 53, which runs through the city. Hoschton Café and Fergusson’s on the Square are featured dining destinations. The Depot by Four Brothers is a cocktail bar in the historic train station that transformed Hoschton in the early 1900s and has become the center of modern community engagement. Boutique shops and antique stores line the highway, from Hoschton into neighboring Braselton. “Hoschton has one stoplight. When you go through it, you’re in Braselton,” Crosby says. “You can literally park in Hoschton and walk to Braselton; they’re that close.” The 1904 is a contemporary shopping and dining complex housed in the city’s original Braselton Bros. Department Store.
Sell's Mill Park is a historic attraction in Hoschton
Hoschton’s most notable recreational attraction is Sell’s Mill Park, which features a historic sawmill in a picturesque setting that includes a waterfall. The park, which also offers a playground and walking trails, is a popular spot for picnics. Other city parks host organized youth activities on their baseball diamonds and soccer fields. Residents of the 55-plus Cresswind community enjoy exclusive amenities that include a pickleball complex and multiple pools. An 18-hole public golf course is the featured amenity at nearby Reunion Country Club. Outdoors enthusiasts can take advantage of regional waterways, including the Mulberry River and Lake Lanier.
Well-rated schools a main reason for residential growth
The city is served by the highly rated Jackson County School System, which earns an A-minus from Niche. “The schools are very good,” Crosby says. “We wouldn’t have the growth we have without them.” Young students can attend West Jackson Elementary School, located in the community, and West Jackson Middle School, both rated A-minus. Jackson County High School is rated B-plus and features the International Baccalaureate course of study. That smalltown, Southern vibe is displayed at school-sponsored sporting events. “People come to football games who don’t even have kids,” Crosby says. “It’s very community-minded.”
Convenient access to Interstate 85 for regional commutes
There is no public transportation, so the city is car-dependent. Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Braselton is just 6 miles from the community. In addition, Hoschton is conveniently located near Interstate 85, which provides direct access to the region’s largest cities. Athens, home to the University of Georgia, is 30 miles away, and the state capital of Atlanta is a 50-mile drive. “Eventually, 10-20 years from now, it will be more congested, but you can still get to the interstate, shopping and the airport quickly,” Crosby says. “They’ve even extended the interstate,” Crosby says. “Now that the growth is here, they’ve made it more accessible to get to work quickly.”
The community’s CAP Index score of 2-out-of-10 signifies an area with a lower-than-average crime rate.
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Written By
Matt Pallister
