DON’T Make These MISTAKES When Moving to Lawrenceville, GA!
Intro
Hey everyone, this is Tim Trevathan with Tim Trevathan Homes. Today, we’re continuing our round of updates by taking a second look at Lawrenceville. Every city changes with time, but the question is always: in what way? Will these changes cause you to reconsider Lawrenceville as a place to put down your roots? There’s only one way to find out.
City Summary
Let’s kick things off with a quick recap of where Lawrenceville is. Picture this: a suburban gem nestled about 30 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. This prime location gives residents the best of both worlds – easy access to downtown Atlanta and a quaint suburban scene to call home. To the north, you’ve got Buford with its shopping hotspots like the Mall of Georgia. Head west, and you’ll hit Duluth, known for its rich cultural scene and cuisine. To the south, there’s Snellville, offering that perfect blend of suburban charm and natural beauty. And if you venture east, just past the Alcovy River, you’ll find the peaceful town of Dacula.
The population in Lawrenceville hovers around 30 thousand residents, which is significantly smaller than in neighboring cities, but it also gives the city a cozy feel. The median household income is close to 56 thousand dollars per year, and the median age of residents is about 33 years old. This is the place where younger buyers are laying down roots, and later on in this video, when I cover the major updates happening in Lawrenceville, you’ll get a sense of why that is.
When it comes to diversity, Lawrenceville paints quite a colorful picture. The city is home to 33.9% of residents who identify as Black or African American, 29.4% who identify as White, 23.4% who identify as Hispanic, and 7.95% of residents who identify as Asian. If you’re ever driving through Lawrenceville and you’re paying attention to the restaurants and eateries along the way or the prominent places of faith, you’ll definitely get a sense that this is a multicultural city that is welcoming to people from all walks of life.
Did you know?
Lawrenceville is actually the oldest city in the Atlanta metro area! That’s right, this charming suburb was incorporated way back in 1821, making it a true pioneer in the region. The town’s name is a tribute to William Lawrence, a prominent landowner in the area. A significant turning point in Lawrenceville’s history came with the arrival of the Atlanta and Danville Railroad in the late 1800s. As the 19th century progressed, Lawrenceville experienced modest growth, with the establishment of local businesses and the arrival of new settlers. The 20th century marked a period of rapid growth and transformation for Lawrenceville. The city’s population surged as a diverse group of people from all over the country flocked to the city to take advantage of the economic opportunities in the area and a more relaxed pace of life.
So, on the topic of economic opportunities, what does that look like now, in 2024? Well, the city’s employment sector leans toward educational services, retail trade, and construction. Office and administrative support occupations are the most common job roles and keep a significant portion of the workforce employed. Lawrenceville is home to two community colleges, a top-rated medical training facility, and branches of the Northside Hospital network. I’ll unpack the benefits of these institutions later, but for now, just know that they are the driving force behind many of the job opportunities in Lawrenceville. Let’s move on to what the housing market looks like now as compared to previous years.
Housing Market 2024
In the last ten years, Lawrenceville has experienced some of the highest home appreciation rates of any community in the nation. Lawrenceville real estate appreciated 241.20% over the last ten years, putting Lawrenceville in the top 10% nationally for real estate appreciation. Now, even with that said, Georgia, on the whole, is doing great, and relative to what is happening in the state of Georgia, Lawrenceville’s appreciation rate is average. I also have to point out that for Lawrenceville, the appreciation rate varies significantly from one community to another. It really matters what community you buy into.
Speaking of buying, as of last month, homes in Lawrenceville sold at a median price of $365,000. This new median home price is down 6.4% from last year, which could spell good news for homebuyers. Another trend we’re seeing in 2024 is that homes stay on the market for about 30 days, and are sold at the asking price 99% of the time. What this tells us is that the housing market in Lawrenceville is a much gentler market than in neighboring cities, where homes only stay on the market for 15 to 17 days and sell for close to 40% more than the asking price after cut-throat bidding wars. If you’re a first-time home buyer, or you need extra time to consider your options, you’re working with a modest budget, and you’re not comfortable with paying up to 40% above the asking price, Lawrenceville is an ideal market for you.
A lot of the homes in Lawrenceville were built from 1970 to 1999, so parts of town may have that “Brady Bunch” look. About 27% of the homes were built in the 2000s, and roughly 11% were built from 1970 to much older times. The reason I bring this up is because this is the type of market where you may want to factor renovations into your plans to bring an updated look to your home. And that’s only if having a modern-looking home is a concern for you. Some homebuyers are opting for homes in Lawrenceville to accomplish their immediate goal of becoming homeowners and then making plans to renovate down the line.
For now, just know that the biggest takeaway here is that 50% of listings are experiencing price drops, homes are on the market for 30 days, and you’ll want to tailor your search to specific neighborhoods based on what your priorities are.
Next, we’ll review what has changed about the pros and cons of living in Lawrenceville, and then get into my favorite part: the recent updates.
Before and After
When I first covered the pros and cons of living in Lawrenceville back in 2022, on the pros side, we had great activities and entertainment, great access to healthcare facilities like Northside Hospital Gwinnett, a vibrant downtown area, great options for education, and the diversity of the city’s residence. On my cons list, there was traffic, the overall climate, the lack of public transportation, the inconsistency in school quality, and the city’s poverty rate. Has anything changed in the past two years? Let’s find out.
Starting with activities and entertainment, Lawrenceville continues to be a hub for entertainment and cultural activities. The Aurora Theater remains a central attraction, offering a diverse range of performances, including those in Spanish, which highlights the city’s commitment to cultural inclusivity. Coolray Field also remains a popular destination for sports enthusiasts, so that’s cool. Since my last video, the city has been working on revitalizing the Depot District, and they’ve installed decorative steel archways. These eye-catching structures not only add a touch of artistic flair but also deter large trucks from cutting through the district. This makes it safer for pedestrians and quieter overall so that residents can enjoy their outdoor spaces or patio conversations at the local pub.
With regard to healthcare, Northside Hospital Gwinnett continues to be a leading healthcare provider in the area, offering extensive medical services, including emergency care and trauma services. This remains a significant advantage for residents. Since my last video, Northside Hospital has partnered up with Urgent Care Group to expand its reach in Gwinnett County by opening a new Health Choice Urgent Care center in Lawrenceville. It officially opened on August 30, 2023, and since then has been offering same-day healthcare services, including X-ray imaging, COVID-19 testing, and occupational health care, ensuring residents have greater access to immediate medical attention. The city has also completed construction on a new slip ramp providing direct access from State Route 316 to Northside Hospital Gwinnett. The new ramp improves traffic flow and accessibility to key medical facilities.
A few years back, I felt that Lawrenceville had a vibrant downtown area, but it has only gotten better. The city is nearly done completing its SouthLawn Project, which is a large-scale mixed-use development. The South Lawn Project will include over 600 residential units, more green space, and 15,000 square feet of retail spaces, restaurants, and public amenities. It’s already attracting the attention of residents and visitors, all while solidifying its role as the city’s cultural and social hub.
When it comes to education, the scene is still a hit-or-miss, so not much has changed in that regard. With 37 schools in the city, it’s not easy to guarantee that each one will be a star. For instance, Lawrenceville is home to the number one high school in the entire state of Georgia, the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, as well as outstanding middle schools like Crews Middle School and Five Forks Middle School, which are ranked in the top 5-10% of Georgia middle schools, but, also in the mix are schools like Discovery High School and Central Gwinnett High School which lag behind the pack with proficiency rates below 50% in many subjects. Recently, the city has placed a stronger emphasis on expanding educational resources, including the introduction of new programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing student outcomes across the board. The specifics are in the city’s 2045 plan, but I will point out that Central Gwinnett High School is already showing improvements, improving its rank by 15 spots, going from 246 out of 451 schools in 2023 to 237 in 2024. Maybe with the right support, this upward trend can continue.
What remains a huge bonus in the education sector are the two community colleges in the area, Georgia Gwinnett College and Georgia Technical College, as well as the Hillendell Medical Training at Lawrenceville. These institutions ensure that affordable higher education is within reach, and they create an excellent pathway into the fields of education and health care, which, as I mentioned before, are two of the four major employment sectors in the city.
As usual, within suburbs, there are issues that haven’t changed much. While Lawrenceville has done a great deal to improve traffic within the city by widening and repaving roads, there isn’t much it can do with regard to the commute into Atlanta. The weather continues to be a menace to allergies, and that’s just the case in the entire North Metro Atlanta area. Public transit is still underwhelming, but I’ll tell you what’s not: the 2045 plan the city is rolling out.
Here are three key features of the plan.
Preserving an affordable market for homebuyers
The 2045 Comprehensive Plan for Lawrenceville, GA, lays out several key strategies to address affordable housing within the city. These strategies are designed to preserve existing affordable housing, promote the development of new units, and ensure that housing remains accessible to residents across various income levels.
The city of Lawrenceville is currently working on a plan that incentivizes existing developments with expiring tax credits to remain within the affordable housing program. This approach is critical in maintaining the current stock of affordable units within the city and is slated to be fully developed and implemented by 2026.
The city is also promoting the development of mixed-income and mixed-use projects, particularly in areas near downtown (like the SouthLawn Project) and other well-served infrastructure zones. These developments will combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces to create vibrant, inclusive communities. Efforts to amend zoning regulations and implement this policy will be ongoing, with major milestones expected by 2025.
A new local asset for residents
The City is building a heritage-style boutique hotel called The Lawrence. It’s intended to have a refined industrial feel, bringing together rustic charm with modern conveniences. The hotel will have 120 rooms and enough amenities to make you want to book a staycation right there in the city. Plus, there’s going to be a 5,000-square-foot conference center, a restaurant, and a patio bar. It’s the perfect place to receive business travelers, tourists, and out-of-town guests. It’s also going to give Lawrenceville residents a great venue to book for special events. The entire establishment will be managed by NorthPointe Hospitality Management, a company that touts itself for being a leader in transformative and complex projects. I have to say, I’m in the next town over, and I’m excited about this hotel.
A new dog park with a touching history
On August 9th, 2024, Lawrenceville inaugurated HYRO Park, which is an urban dog park named in honor of former K9 Officer HYRO, who served the Lawrenceville Police Department for seven years, having gone on 233 missions, which resulted in 87 arrests. His legacy is nothing short of amazing.
Located in the heart of the passive area of the Lawrenceville Lawn, HYRO Park is a .41-acre oasis with separate areas for big and small dogs. It’s got all the features you could ask for in a dog park, including shade structures, benches, agility equipment, and even a water fountain for your pup.
This is the latest and the greatest on Lawrenceville. If you’re not sure if Lawrenceville is the right place for you, I will say this. Lately, the city tends to attract families and young married couples with children. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that the housing market has affordable options, and the city is actively preserving those options. The city is doing a great job of implementing new mixed-use development that allows residents to live, work, and play in the same area, and while the schools in the area have mixed performance levels, there are still great options for college so that older kids, and even young parents, can continue their education without needing to go too far from home. But those are my thoughts, what are yours? Put them in the comments below.
Outro
If you’re thinking of moving to Lawrenceville or the nearby area in metro Atlanta, please give me a call, text, or email and I’d be happy to help you in your home buying journey and set up a game plan to make your move go smoothly. If you liked this video, make sure to subscribe to my channel and click the bell icon to get all the latest updates. I enjoy making these videos for you and providing all the insight that will help you make an informed decision about where you want to start the next chapter of your life.
As always, I’m your guide to the metro Atlanta real estate market, and if you’re interested in working with me, again, send me a DM.
Tim Trevathan, out!
Intro & Overview
- Tim revisits Lawrenceville, GA to examine how it has changed since 2022.
- Located 30 miles northeast of Atlanta, Lawrenceville blends city access with small-town charm.
- Neighboring cities: Buford, Duluth, Snellville, Dacula.
- Population: ~30,000; median income: $56K; median age: 33 — a city attracting young buyers.
- Diverse community: 34% Black, 29% White, 23% Hispanic, 8% Asian.
- Oldest city in metro Atlanta (incorporated 1821).
- Economic drivers: education, retail, construction, and healthcare via Northside Hospital network and community colleges.
🏡 Housing Market (2024)
- 241% appreciation over the past decade (top 10% nationally).
- Median home price: $365K — down 6.4% YoY, making it buyer-friendly.
- Average days on market: 30; homes sell at 99% of asking price.
- 50% of listings experience price drops.
- Older housing stock (1970-1999 builds); many homes need updates.
- Market ideal for first-time buyers and budget-conscious families.
✅ Pros (Then & Now)
- Entertainment: Aurora Theatre (bilingual shows), Coolray Field, and new Depot District revitalization with artful steel archways.
- Healthcare: Northside Hospital + new Health Choice Urgent Care (opened Aug 2023); new SR-316 slip ramp improves hospital access.
- Downtown Growth: Near completion of SouthLawn Project — 600 residential units, green space, 15K sq ft of retail/restaurants.
- Education: Mix of highs and lows —
- Top: Gwinnett School of Math, Science & Tech, Crews MS, Five Forks MS.
- Low: Discovery HS, Central Gwinnett HS (but improving).
- Added emphasis on new educational initiatives (2045 plan).
- Colleges: Georgia Gwinnett College, Georgia Technical College, Hillendell Medical Training.
⚠️ Cons (Unchanged Issues)
- Traffic congestion into Atlanta still a problem.
- Pollen/allergies remain tough due to climate.
- Public transportation remains limited.
🏗️ Major 2045 Plan Updates
- Affordable Housing Preservation
- Incentivizes developments with expiring tax credits to stay affordable (by 2026).
- Promotes mixed-use, mixed-income developments near downtown (e.g., SouthLawn).
- Zoning amendments under way, milestones by 2025.
- New Boutique Hotel – The Lawrence
- 120-room hotel with industrial-chic design.
- Includes restaurant, patio bar, and 5,000-sq ft conference center.
- Managed by NorthPointe Hospitality Management.
- HYRO Park (Opened Aug 9, 2024)
- Dog park honoring K-9 Officer HYRO (233 missions, 87 arrests).
- Separate areas for large/small dogs, agility gear, shade, benches, water fountain.
🧭 Final Takeaways
Schools vary in quality, but college access and job opportunities make it a well-rounded choice.
Lawrenceville appeals to young families and first-time homeowners.
Offers affordable housing, community investment, and growing live-work-play developments.
References
n.d. HYRO Park | Lawrenceville, GA. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.lawrencevillega.org/768/HYRO-Park.
n.d. Downtown Construction Updates & Road Closures | Lawrenceville, GA. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.lawrencevillega.org/453/Downtown-Construction-Updates.
n.d. The Lawrence Hotel. Accessed August 26, 2024. https://thelawrencehotel.com/.
“Best Public Schools in Lawrenceville, Georgia & Rankings.” n.d. SchoolDigger. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.schooldigger.com/go/GA/city/Lawrenceville/search.aspx.
“Best Public Schools in Lawrenceville, Georgia & Rankings.” n.d. SchoolDigger. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.schooldigger.com/go/GA/city/Lawrenceville/search.aspx.
“Central Gwinnett High School in Lawrenceville GA.” n.d. SchoolDigger. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.schooldigger.com/go/GA/schools/0255001129/school.aspx.
“Lawrenceville Apartments for Rent and Lawrenceville Rentals.” n.d. Walk Score. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.walkscore.com/GA/Lawrenceville.
Lawrenceville Georgia. n.d. “Document Center.” Lawrenceville Georgia. https://www.lawrencevillega.org/DocumentCenter.
“Lawrenceville Housing Market: House Prices & Trends.” n.d. Redfin. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.redfin.com/city/11598/GA/Lawrenceville/housing-market.
“New Health Choice Urgent Care opens in Lawrenceville.” 2023. Northside Hospital. https://www.northside.com/about/news-center/articles/2023/09/05/new-health-choice-urgent-care-opens-in-lawrenceville.
“NorthPointe Hospitality | The Lawrence.” n.d. NorthPointe Hospitality |. Accessed August 26, 2024. https://northph.com/portfolio_page/the-lawrence/.
