Mableton, Georgia

Located in the northwest suburbs, the community of Mableton, Georgia is the largest unincorporated community in the metro Atlanta area. Its low tax rates, affordable housing, and convenient highway access provide the perfect blend of amenities and suburban living—prompting Money Magazine to add Mableton to its 2007 list of Best Places to Live.

HISTORY

Mableton derives its name from Robert Mable, who first purchased 300 acres of land in the area in 1843. The town began to grow in the 1880s when the railroad and post office arrived. Mableton was briefly incorporated as a city in 1912, and became unincorporated again in 1916. The original Mable House still stands today as a historic landmark upon grounds maintained by the Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department—grounds which include an arts center and amphitheater hosting numerous public events throughout the year.

NEIGHBORHOOD STATS

Mableton hosts a population of around 37,000 people, many of whom are younger adults and growing families; the median age is 34.6 years, below the state median average of 40 years. The median income among Mableton residents is about $50,000 per year. Home prices are modest for the area, with median home values around $140,000, which, coupled with low property tax rates compared to Atlanta, make Mableton a popular area for real estate purchases. More affordable properties are generally found on the west side of town, with more expensive homes found near the eastern end. While about a quarter of the houses in Mableton were built within the past 20 years, the town also offers a nice array of older homes built after 1940.

EDUCATION

Mableton is part of the Cobb County School District, which tests above average among public schools in the state.

ATTRACTIONS

Aside from the Mableton Arts Center described above, this is an area valued for its rural pleasures—most notably the multi-use Silver Comet Trail which follows an old railroad line running between Smyrna and the Alabama state line. Mableton also offers a variety of restaurants, mainly located near the intersection of Floyd Road and US-78/278 (Veterans Memorial Highway).