Fulton County, Georgia: commercial real estate data.
Fulton County, Georgia had an estimated 1,090,354 residents on July 1, 2024, up 2.2 percent since the 2020 census base of 1,066,546, across 527 square miles. County output reached $243.56 bn in 2024, 40,949 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 1,993 7(a) approvals worth $1.35 bn since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Fulton County
How many people live in Fulton County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-20241,076,561
- Households462,481
- Average household size2.33
- Median household income$95,292
- Median age36.4
- Median gross rent$1,732 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$458,800
- Home value to household income4.8 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income21.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher58.5 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree24.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over747,549
- Population under 18224,708
- Share under 1820.9 percent
- Population 65 and over136,734
- Share 65 and over12.7 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64715,119
- Civilian labor force609,750
- Unemployment rate5.4 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over71.6 percent
- Rank by population among Georgia counties1st of 159
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included43rd of 3,222
Fulton County is the 1st largest of 159 Georgia counties by population. A median home costs 4.8 times median household income, which is seriously unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 20.9 percent against 12.7 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Fulton County
Is Fulton County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 20241,090,354
- Census 2020 base population1,066,546
- Population change since the 2020 census base2.23 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20246,383
- Births, 202412,267
- Deaths, 20247,379
- Natural change, 20244,888
- Net domestic migration, 2024-8,120
- Net international migration, 20249,571
- Total net migration, 20241,451
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-21,077
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1093rd of 3,144
The county has grown 2.23 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Fulton County
Where are people moving to Fulton County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving50,378
- People arriving, from those returns79,063
- Tax returns filed by households leaving52,024
- Net household movement-1,646
- Adjusted gross income arriving$4.98 bn
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-798.1 m
- Average income of an arriving household$98,836
- Average income of a leaving household$111,050
- Largest single originDeKalb County (7,960 households)
- Largest single destinationDeKalb County (8,575 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb County | 7,960 | 12,414 | $905.7 m |
| Cobb County | 4,865 | 7,399 | $511.9 m |
| Gwinnett County | 3,382 | 5,328 | $306.2 m |
| Clayton County | 2,925 | 5,486 | $87.3 m |
| Forsyth County | 1,257 | 2,294 | $199.5 m |
| Henry County | 790 | 1,271 | $39.4 m |
| Douglas County | 784 | 1,377 | $35.7 m |
| Cherokee County | 716 | 1,106 | $72.5 m |
Households arriving report $12,214 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is DeKalb County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Fulton County
What is the Fulton County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$243.56 bn
- County GDP, 2023$230.04 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20245.9 percent
- GDP change over five years29.5 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Georgia areas BEA publishes1st of 159
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes13th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$226,241
Output grew 5.9 percent in the latest year and 29.5 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Fulton County
Employment by industry in Fulton County
- Covered employment, annual average948,157
- Establishments reporting72,716
- Average annual pay$100,817
- Average weekly wage$1,939
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment118,008
- Professional, scientific and technical services, average annual pay$139,869
- Health care and social assistance, employment110,951
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$81,691
- Accommodation and food services, employment82,098
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$36,782
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment65,270
- Administrative and support and waste management services, average annual pay$75,692
- Finance and insurance, employment63,320
- Retail trade, employment57,559
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 118,008 | 16,305 | $139,869 |
| Health care and social assistance | 110,951 | 6,558 | $81,691 |
| Accommodation and food services | 82,098 | 4,308 | $36,782 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 65,270 | 4,301 | $75,692 |
| Finance and insurance | 63,320 | 4,236 | $172,398 |
| Retail trade | 57,559 | 4,105 | $51,367 |
| Information | 55,318 | 2,478 | $174,271 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 54,497 | 1,766 | $56,403 |
Professional, scientific and technical services is the largest private sector at 118,008 jobs, 12.4 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Fulton County
How many businesses are in Fulton County?
- Establishments, all industries40,949
- Employment at those establishments928,068
- Annual payroll$85.50 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents38.0
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Fulton County
Building permits in Fulton County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 202411,577
- Declared construction value permitted$2.26 bn
- Single family units authorized2,937
- Multifamily units authorized8,640
- Multifamily share of units74.6 percent
- Average declared value per unit$195,005
- Units authorized per 1,000 households25.0
Multifamily is 74.6 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Fulton County
SBA loans in Fulton County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded1,993
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$1.35 bn
- Average 7(a) approval$675,158
- Median 7(a) approval$344,300
- 10th percentile approval$50,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,754,040
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)24,129
- Jobs per approval12.1
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active165
- Distinct industries receiving approvals326
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer15.4 percent
- Loans on real estate terms306
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter1,506
- Franchise loans402
- Franchise share of approvals20.2 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (156)
- Most active lenderThe Huntington National Bank (180)
- 504 approvals recorded454
- 504 gross approval dollars$412.9 m
- Average 504 approval$909,480
- Median 504 approval$594,000
- Distinct CDCs active12
- 504 jobs per approval11.1
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved12.2
- Most active CDCFlorida Business Development Corporation (147)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$1.76 bn
The average approval of $675,158 sits well above the median of $344,300, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 15.4 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Fulton County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Fulton County
Do SBA loans in Fulton County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded359
- Paid in full317
- Charged off42
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans11.7 percent
- Status: Paid in full317
- Status: Exempt from disclosure1,230
- Status: Charged off42
- Status: Cancelled309
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed95
Of the 359 loans that have reached a final outcome, 11.7 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Fulton County
SBA lending by place in Fulton County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending33
- Atlanta, approvals1,051
- Alpharetta, approvals382
- Roswell, approvals228
- Johns Creek, approvals55
- Sandy Springs, approvals53
- Fairburn, approvals42
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 1,051 | $713,901,800 |
| Alpharetta | 382 | $255,264,100 |
| Roswell | 228 | $137,064,700 |
| Johns Creek | 55 | $30,016,900 |
| Sandy Springs | 53 | $26,067,200 |
| Fairburn | 42 | $28,678,100 |
| Duluth | 34 | $22,862,500 |
| Union City | 31 | $49,516,500 |
| 25 other borrower cities | 117 | $82,218,800 |
Atlanta accounts for 1,051 approvals against 382 in Alpharetta. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Fulton County
How large is Fulton County?
- Land area527 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Georgia counties17th of 159
- Width, east to west43.3 mi
- Height, north to south47.2 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary10
- Residents per square mile of land2,043
- Establishments per square mile77.70
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Fulton County
Flood risk in Fulton County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Fulton County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 135160
- Community Rating System class of the county's own communityClass 10
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book16
- Of those, participating in the NFIP16
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 6
- Communities carrying a CRS class6
- Radon levels in Fulton County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Fulton County (community 135160), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries Community Rating System class 10, a flood insurance premium discount for policies written there. The EPA places Fulton County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 6, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Fulton County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Fulton County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-20241,076,561
- Households462,481
- Average household size2.33
- Median household income$95,292
- Median age36.4
Common questions
Fulton County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Fulton County, Georgia?
The Census Bureau estimates 1,090,354 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 1,076,561, in 462,481 households, ranking 1st of 159 Georgia counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Fulton County's population growing?
The population has grown 2.23 percent since the 2020 census base of 1,066,546, to 1,090,354 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 12,267 births against 7,379 deaths, with net migration of 1,451. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Fulton County?
$95,292. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $458,800, which is 4.8 times income, and median gross rent is $1,732 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Fulton County?
40,949 establishments, employing 928,068 people with an annual payroll of $85.50 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Fulton County?
Professional, scientific and technical services is the largest private sector at 118,008 jobs, 12.4 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 948,157 jobs at an average annual pay of $100,817, or $1,939 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Fulton County?
1,993 7(a) approvals totaling $1.35 bn since FY2020, across 165 lenders, with a median approval of $344,300, plus 454 504 approvals worth $412.9 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Fulton County get paid back?
Of the 359 loans that have reached a final outcome, 317 were paid in full and 42 charged off, a charge-off rate of 11.7 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Fulton County?
11,577 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $2.26 bn. Multifamily was 74.6 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Fulton County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Fulton County come from?
The largest single origin is DeKalb County, with 7,960 households. Arriving households report an average income of $98,836 against $111,050 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Fulton County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Fulton County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Fulton County
Cities and places in Fulton.
15 Census places lie wholly or partly in Fulton County. All 15 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | city | 505,268 | 1,051 | 93.4 percent here, 6.6 percent DeKalb County |
| South Fulton | city | 110,471 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Sandy Springs | city | 107,087 | 53 | Wholly in this county |
| Roswell | city | 92,621 | 228 | Wholly in this county |
| Johns Creek | city | 81,988 | 55 | Wholly in this county |
| Alpharetta | city | 66,855 | 382 | Wholly in this county |
| Milton | city | 41,546 | 26 | Wholly in this county |
| East Point | city | 38,335 | 26 | Wholly in this county |
| Union City | city | 27,728 | 31 | Wholly in this county |
| Fairburn | city | 16,831 | 42 | Wholly in this county |
| College Park | city | 14,712 | 19 | 74.9 percent here, 25.1 percent Clayton County |
| Hapeville | city | 6,630 | 10 | Wholly in this county |
| Palmetto | city | 4,797 | 7 | 92.3 percent here, 7.7 percent Coweta County |
| Chattahoochee Hills | city | 3,782 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Mountain Park | city | 703 | None recorded | 92.5 percent here, 7.5 percent Cherokee County |
A further 61 of the county's 1,993 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Fulton County, the largest being Duluth (34), Cumming (4), Riverdale (3). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.