Located on the southern banks of Lake Lanier, Buford balances suburban life with easy access to the broader metro area. Historic Downtown Buford has a charm of its own, though, and the city's proximity to Georgia's largest mall and lake is a big draw here.
Most of Buford is in Gwinnett County, but a sliver is in Hall County, giving students access to two highly rated school districts. Gwinnett County Schools is the largest school district in the state and a major employer in the area. Over 18,000 people live here — many holding management, business, science, and art-related positions. Meanwhile, downtown Atlanta is also just 25 miles away.
Realtor Stephanie Purrington, with Keller Williams Realty Intown Atlanta, has lived in Buford for decades. She calls the community active and family-oriented. "[Many] neighborhoods [in Buford] have incorporated a pool and tennis courts, and there's strong support for school sports."
Buford was founded after a railroad connected Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta.
Buford's historic "Welcome to Buford," invites guests to explore the charming neighborhood.
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Buford's booming housing market
Buford's population has increased by roughly 30% in 10 years. "A lot of people from Atlanta are moving north to Buford, and folks from here are moving further north to Gainesville, which helps keep the market open," says Billy Johnson, a Realtor with Lantern Real Estate Group who was raised in Buford. Fifteen new residential developments have brought over 490 new homes to the city since 2019. The most established neighborhoods surround downtown Buford. Historic mansions and lakeside properties are coveted — sometimes heading into the millions. The city's median home price is $550,000, about 48% higher than the state median. Purrington says schools here are the biggest driver.
Buford's neighborhoods often have brick-style homes.
Charming colonial style houses can be commonly found in Buford.
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Buford's top-notch schools
Niche ranks Buford City Schools as the best in the state and gives the district an A-plus. Buford High is known for its football team, which has become state champions four times in the last 10 years alone. Gwinnett County Schools earns an A-minus. The county’s own Georgia Gwinnett College ranked 56th out of 97 in U.S. News and World Report's 2025 Regional Colleges South list.
Buford High School is located in Burford and scores an A+ from Niche.
Buford Middle School is a public school located in Buford, GA.
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Home to the largest mall in Georgia
Buford is home to the Mall of Georgia, the state’s largest mall with over 200 retailers and restaurants. Four miles from there, downtown Buford is lined with historic brick buildings housing local boutiques and restaurants. The city’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan to improve Downtown Buford promises to continue enhancing walkability. Buford has already completed at least seven pedestrian projects since 2019.
Buford is home to the Mall of Georgia which is the biggest mall in the state.
Buford's Historic Downtown has a street of walkable businesses.
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Downtown Buford embraces local artists
The Tannery Row Artist Colony studios are in downtown Buford, where the 17 artist members host rotating gallery shows. The nearby Buford Museum also collects these artists’ work, giving them a permanent home. The Buford Community Center, also downtown, hosts concerts and outdoor movie nights at its amphitheater.
Buford's Community Center is abundant in well-landscaped lush greenery.
Buford's Community Center hosts lots of town events like concerts and festivals.
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Living near ballparks, tennis courts and Lake Lanier
Buford's parks and recreation department supports a wide range of pastimes. Buford Youth Sports Complex has full-sized soccer, lacrosse and football fields. There are 12 public tennis courts on Shawnee Avenue. Bogan Park's indoor facilities include an aquatic center, a double gym and a dance room, and its outdoor amenities include trails, basketball courts and playgrounds. Buford Dam Park and its beach, the boat ramps on Pinewood Avenue and Lazy Days Park and Marina are gateways to Lake Lanier. The county offers over 10,000 acres of green space and 133 miles of trails.
Many local residents of Buford use the paved walking trails found throughout town.
Beaufort city Park is home to several tennis courts, baseball, courts, and more.
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Interstate 85 or MARTA to Atlanta
City data shows the average work commute from Buford is around 29 minutes. Interstates 85, I-985 and Buford Highway are main routes here. MARTA connects commuters to Atlanta. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, the largest airport in the state, is around 50 miles away. Piedmont Urgent Care and Northside Medical, which opened in 2024, are in Buford. Purrington touts the city's proximity to major highlights: “Buford is maybe 40 to [50] minutes from the airport, five hours to the beach, and not even a couple hours [from the] mountains."
Mild winters in Buford
“Atlanta, in general, has a pretty mild climate. But we just had two inches of snow the other day, which hasn’t happened in five years,” Purrington says. Buford and several other cities and unincorporated areas are served by Gwinnett County Police North Precinct. In 2024, the department responded to over 29,000 calls.
Buford's Historic Clock is one of the neighborhood's iconic points of interest.
Buford's historic "Welcome to Buford," invites guests to explore the charming neighborhood.
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Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
Photography Contributed By
Kathleen Kim
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jordan Raper,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Buford, GA sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Buford, GA over the last 12 months is $495,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Don't miss this hard-to-find ranch with a full basement and beautiful, large lot on a cul de sac street! This awesome floor plan features a spacious fireside family room with vaulted ceilings, separate formal dining room, and a front flex room that could be easily converted into a 4th bedroom. The kitchen is open to the family room and includes stained cabinets, a walk-in pantry, island, and
Welcome to this beautifully maintained one-level ranch nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac lot in the heart of Buford. This move-in-ready home has been freshly painted and features LVP floors throughout, upgraded tile in the kitchen and bath, elegant wainscot walls, and enhanced lighting that adds warmth and brightness to every room.Enjoy a spacious kitchen with a large breakfast area, a
2+ Acre Private Sanctuary in the Heart of Buford! This is truly a one-of-a kind property offering more than just a home, but also a lifestyle. If you've been dreaming of having your own homestead, this is the one you've been waiting for! A property that allows you the freedom to grow your own vegetables, raise chickens, build and create, explore the outdoors, entertain guests, and make
Gloria WilliamsKeller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners
Just Listed & Priced to Sell — Rare Ranch in Orchards of Park Ridge (55+ Gated Community)! Income Investment property opportunity for rental with no waiting period.Don’t miss this gorgeous, move-in-ready 3BR/2BA all-on-one-level home in the sought-after Orchards of Park Ridge. Features include:• Open-concept layout with granite countertops, updated 2024 appliances, wood
4 SIDED BRICK HOME IN THE THE HEART OF BUFORD - TOP - RATED BUFORD SCHOOLS!Welcome to this stunning 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom home located a the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in the highly sought-after SWEET APPLE PLACE.Situated on nearly half an acre, this beautifully maintained home offers 3,330 sq ft of comfortable living space, plus an additional 1,521 sq ft walk-out basement ready for your
Tucked into the sought-after Stoneleigh neighborhood of Buford, this all-brick ranch home is bursting with curb appeal and classic charm. Manicured landscaping frames the property beautifully, making a striking first impression that continues the moment you step inside.Soaring vaulted ceilings and an open, airy feel define the spacious 4-bedroom layout. Natural light pours into the family
For Rent – 1900 Rocksram Dr, Buford, GASpacious 4BR Home with Hardwood Floors & Huge Private Backyard – Available Now!Welcome to this beautifully updated 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home in a quiet Buford neighborhood. Featuring hardwood floors throughout the entire house and fresh new paint, this home is clean, bright, and move-in ready.The main level offers an open and functional layout
Two minutes from the Mall of Georgia in this stylish 3BR/2.5BA rental with a spacious loft, perfect for a second living room, office, or home gym. Enjoy an open-concept layout with a modern kitchen featuring a large island, granite counters, white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and gas cooking. Step outside to your private patio with peaceful wooded views.Upstairs, the oversized primary
Elevate your idea of home at The Enzo at Ariston. Located in the heart of Buford, Georgia, our brand-new apartment community near Mall of Georgia is luxury living done right. Our one, two, and three bedroom floor plans feature open-concept floor plans outfitted with high-end finishes and quality craftsmanship throughout. Footsteps from your front door, the luxury continues. Our boutique-style
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
