Median Age
37 Years
Largest Age Group
10-19 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
29%
Over 65
14%
Avg Rent
$1,500
Population
18,423
Renter Mix
37% Rent
Located in Gwinnett and Hall counties, Buford combines historic charm with contemporary living near Lake Lanier. Housing options include townhomes and single-family residences, with current average rents ranging from $1,513 for one-bedroom units to $2,761 for four-bedroom homes. The Mall of Georgia anchors the area's retail scene, while downtown Buford preserves its historic architecture with local shops and restaurants. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound at Lake Lanier Islands, and residents enjoy the Ivy Creek Greenway for walking and cycling.
Buford's history as a leather-manufacturing center shaped its development, and today the city continues to grow and evolve. The Buford City School District serves the community, while the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center offers interactive exhibits and programs. The Buford Community Center serves as a cultural hub for performances and community gatherings. Housing costs have remained stable, with modest rent changes ranging from 0.1% to 2.5% across unit sizes. The city features several parks, the Tannery Row Artist Colony, and convenient access to I-985 and I-85.
Buford was founded after a railroad connected Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta.
Buford's City Hall is located in the heart of the city on Main Street.
Buford's Historic Clock is one of the neighborhood's iconic points of interest.
Buford is home to the Mall of Georgia, the largest mall in the state.
Local residents enjoy the walkable streets of downtown Buford year-round.
You can head to the Buford-Sugar Hill Public Library for one-on-one learning and reading skills.
Median Household Income
$62,572
Average: $91,136
Education
4,454
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
8,819
Workers Employed
Median Age
37 Years
Largest Age Group
10-19 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
29%
Over 65
14%
Housing Distribution
Buford has more homeowners than renters.
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Buford, GA is $1,024 for a studio, $1,497 for one bedroom, $1,743 for two bedrooms, and $2,497 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Buford has decreased by -3.8% in the past year.
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Buford, GA is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
Public
Grades K-5
1,297 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
1,572 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
609 Students
Public
Grades K-5
876 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
891 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,616 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,562 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,426 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,846 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,638 Students
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
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.