Less than 40 miles from Atlanta, Cumming has doubled in size in the last 25 years thanks to top-rated schools and proximity to North Georgia mountains and lakes. The city is the only incorporated section of Forsyth County. In 2022, around 7,300 people lived in Cumming compared to 4,267 in 2000, and the number of people in unincorporated parts of Forsyth is closer to 100,000. The Georgia 400 (GA-400) highway helped turn Cumming into a commuter town for Atlanta, and some locals work in the tourism industry generated by Lake Lanier. “We already have a lot of homebuyers moving here for the schools, but with all the new people and things coming to the city, folks are going to be knocking down doors to get a home here,” says Georgia native Billy Johnson, an agent with Lantern Real Estate Group.
Lake Lanier covers approximately 38,000 acres of water and has about 692 miles of shoreline.
The Cumming Visitor Center serves as the go-to hub for information for tourists about local attractions, events, and activities in the city and surrounding areas.
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Sawnee Mountain Preserve and Lake Lanier
Mountains, parks and trails make Cumming a natural playground. Cumming’s eastern edge touches the 37,000-acre Lake Lanier, a fishing and boating spot surrounded by beaches, campgrounds, hiking trails and marinas. The 953-acre Sawnee Mountain Preserve, just north of Cumming, has over a dozen natural trails overlooking the mountains. The preserve also has a trailhead for the Big Creek Greenway, which runs 26 miles from Cumming to Roswell.
Boating on Lake Lanier in Cumming, GA, is a favorite pastime, with scenic views and endless opportunities for fun on the water.
Big Creek Big Creek Greenway is a long path that people walk or bike.
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Restaurants, shops and breweries in Cumming City Center
The 75-acre City Center is Cumming’s main shopping district and filled with locally owned restaurants and boutiques inside red-brick buildings. City Center also has three parks and the Lou Sobh Amphitheater, which hosts events like the monthly Tin Cup Cruise-In Car Show. The Collection at Forsyth and Vickery Village add to the city’s retail and dining scene. Forsyth County began allowing micro-breweries to operate in 2019, leading to a local brewing scene led by businesses like Cherry Street Brewing, NoFo Brew Co. and Stoney J’s Winery.
The Lou Sobh Amphitheatre in Cumming, GA, is a popular venue for concerts, outdoor movies, and community events.
The Cumming City Center, a newly developed mixed-use area, has become a local hotspot for dining and entertainment.
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Year-round festivals at the Cumming Fairgrounds
The city’s biggest event is the 10-day Cumming Country Fair and Festival, held at the Cumming Fairgrounds every summer. The fairgrounds are also the go-to venue for other events, including the 4th of July Celebration, Christmas Parade and Fridays at the Fairgrounds, when food trucks fill the venue once a month from April to October.
A-plus-rated Forsyth County Schools
Forsyth County Schools earns an A-plus from Niche. It also had a 95.8% graduation rate in 2023, the highest rate in the Atlanta metro area. Many Forsyth schools have individual A-plus grades on Niche, including the Alliance Academy for Innovation and Lambert High School. Niche named these schools the third and fourth-best public high schools in Georgia, respectively, for excellent academics, college preparation and athletics. The University of North Georgia has a Cumming branch campus next to Alliance Academy.
The Alliance Academy for Innovation in Cumming, GA, is a state-of-the-art high school focused on career and technical education.
Lambert High School is a public school in Suwanee, GA.
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Forsyth County’s past and present
Racial violence in Forsyth County led to a mass exodus of Black residents in the 1910s and again in the 1980s. Today, the city’s population is 8% Black, 8% Asian and 13% Latino, marking growing diversity in the past 25 years. “As more people and diversity have come here, a lot of that preconception has changed, and it’s something a lot of people take pride in,” says Aditya Bhatia, a former writer for the Forsyth Herald who lived in Cumming for over 14 years. In 2023, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported there were five crimes for every 1,000 people in Forsyth County.
Summers in Cumming are hot and muggy, while winters are cold and wet. As recently as 2024, Lake Lanier had algae blooms caused by sewage waste and fertilizer runoff. Lake Lanier officials and Chattahoochee Riverkeepers conduct year-round tests to check the lake’s safety, which help curb pollution.
Subdivisions in the city and gated homes on Lake Lanier
The median sale for a single-family home price grew from nearly $618,000 in 2023 to $620,000 in 2024. New homes and townhouses can be found in subdivisions throughout the city, and there are gated communities along Lake Lanier. Homes sell within an average of 31 days, compared to the national average of 41 days.
Gorgeous lake homes along Lake Lanier in Cumming, GA, showcase modern architecture, luxury living, and access to breathtaking lakefront views.
Cumming's Lake Lanier neighborhood offers many new construction homes built in trending Craftsman styles.
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GA-400 to Atlanta
GA-400 leads to surrounding cities like Alpharetta and Duluth and to Atlanta, 40 miles away. U.S. Highway 19 also runs through the city and connects to Interstate 285, which forms Atlanta’s outer loop. The closest Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) bus and train lines leave from Sandy Springs and Dunwoody. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is 55 miles away via U.S. Highway 19 and I-285.
Written By
Delaney Murray
Photography Contributed By
Thaddeus Rombauer
Video By
Samantha Houtchens
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Karina Graham,
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.
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On average, homes in Cumming, GA sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Cumming, GA over the last 12 months is $673,355, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Spacious Home with Heated Pool, Spa, Finished Basement, and Entertainment Kitchen – Perfect for Get-Togethers or Multi-Generational Living! Step into comfort and style in this beautifully maintained home featuring an abundance of storage and grounds with a botanical garden feel on over half an acre of property. The main level offers a bright, open layout with generous living space, a modern
Charming Ranch-Style Home with Expansive Potential on Private LotWelcome to this well-maintained, classic ranch-style home featuring 3 spacious bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, perfect for comfortable everyday living. The large eat-in kitchen with an induction cooktop offers ample space for casual meals, while a separate formal dining room provides a more refined setting for gatherings and
Nestled within the prestigious Polo Golf & Country Club community in Cumming, Georgia, this custom-built, 4-sided brick ranch on a full basement exudes timeless appeal. A majestic tulip tree greets you as you approach this meticulously maintained home, offered for the first time by its original owner and one of the initial residences in the Polo development. The expansive, level backyard is
Spacious Home with Heated Pool, Spa, Finished Basement, and Entertainment Kitchen – Perfect for Get-Togethers or Multi-Generational Living! Step into comfort and style in this beautifully maintained home featuring an abundance of storage and grounds with a botanical garden feel on over half an acre of property. The main level offers a bright, open layout with generous living space, a modern
Charming Ranch-Style Home with Expansive Potential on Private LotWelcome to this well-maintained, classic ranch-style home featuring 3 spacious bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, perfect for comfortable everyday living. The large eat-in kitchen with an induction cooktop offers ample space for casual meals, while a separate formal dining room provides a more refined setting for gatherings and
Nestled within the prestigious Polo Golf & Country Club community in Cumming, Georgia, this custom-built, 4-sided brick ranch on a full basement exudes timeless appeal. A majestic tulip tree greets you as you approach this meticulously maintained home, offered for the first time by its original owner and one of the initial residences in the Polo development. The expansive, level backyard is
Spacious 3 bed, 2.5 bath townhome with approx. 1,900 sq ft in the desirable Kentmere subdivision of Cumming, GA. This end-unit features an open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, gas fireplace, eat-in kitchen with pantry, private patio, and 1-car garage. Rent is $2,200/month with a $2,201 security deposit-or ask about our $0 deposit option during your showing call! Located just minutes from GA 400
Stunning Home with Master Suites on Both Levels & Finished Terrace! Welcome to this beautifully maintained and thoughtfully designed home featuring dual primary suites—one on the main level and another upstairs—plus a full bedroom and bathroom on the finished terrace level. This spacious home offers multiple living and entertaining spaces, including a bright and airy loft, private office, and a
Stunning Lake House Retreat in Forsyth County! Escape to Your Own Private Waterfront Paradise! Discover the perfect blend of tranquil lake living and modern convenience at this beautifully renovated 3BR/3BA lake house in the Country Club Estates community. Nestled on the shores of Lake Lanier in Cumming, GA, this home offers an unparalleled retreat just minutes from urban amenities. Spacious
Lake Lanier is a great home for those seeking a lakeside lifestyle. The sprawling 38,000-acre reservoir offers a diverse range of recreational activities, from boating and water sports to fishing and lakeside picnics, creating an idyllic playground for outdoor enthusiasts. The serene and scenic surroundings of this neighborhood, coupled with the area’s vibrant community and amenities, make it a prime destination for those seeking a harmonious blend of natural beauty and modern conveniences. According to Todd Vanderhoff, a Realtor with EXP Realty, LLC., who has sold over 70 homes in the area, “People move here to have privacy, lake views and send their kids through a great school system.”
Home prices vary, depending on where in the neighborhood you live. Away from the lake on the north side of Keith Bridge Road, homes are smaller – ranch-style or farmhouses – and sit on multi-acre fields. Prices vary up here, but most properties run between $300,000 and $700,000. Closer to the lake, but not on it, on the south side of Keith Bridge Road, prices typically fall in the same range. Homes usually sit on smaller lots in various styles, with some in established subdivisions and communities. On the water, properties reach the millions and sit on multiple acres. “The flatter the lot, the better the view, the steeper the price,” says Vanderhoff.
Some residents have a dock on their property, while others store boats in boat slips. “If you don’t have a dock on your property, you still get the convenience and amenities of the neighborhood; you’ll just have to walk to where your boat is stored,” says Vanderhoff. “A boat slip is included with some properties.” Locals love to take their boats out for tubing or water skiing. Boats can also take them to the various bars and restaurants dotted up and down the shoreline, including Pelican Pete’s Tiki Bar & Grill, which serves burgers and cocktails year-round. Its outdoor patio area mimics a tiki bar, complete with palm trees and torches.
Students are zoned for the Forsyth County School District, which receives an A-plus rating from Niche. They can attend Chestatee Elementary School, an A-minus-rated school from Niche, before moving to Little Mill Middle School, which gets an A. Then, they can finish their studies at Forsyth Central High School, which Niche gives an A-minus. The high school has various Advanced Placement classes, dual enrollment options, an honors mentorship program and a state-certified STEM program. It also has a Central Film Academy that focuses on preparing aspiring filmmakers for the growing industry in Georgia and a Humanities Academy that emphasizes English and social studies.
The lake spans 38,000 acres and has over 90 parks littered up and down its 680 miles of shoreline—including nearly 20 in this neighborhood. Launch your boat at Charleston Park and Vanns Tavern Park. The latter has a public beach open year-round where you can bring your dog. Away from the lake, towards the center of the neighborhood, Bennet Park offers five youth baseball and softball fields and a multi-use turf field. Picnic pavilions and a playground guarantee all kinds of outdoor recreation, from a family barbecue to a play date. In the northeastern sector of the neighborhood, there are two golf courses – Hampton Golf Village and Country Land Golf Course.
Head to Lanier Commons on Browns Bridge Road to pick up groceries from Publix. Over here, you can also get feed for your animals from Hollywood Feed or drive through one of the various fast-food restaurants, including Dairy Queen and McDonald’s. There are also some banks, ATMs and gas stations. About 10 miles to the north are the North Georgia Premium Outlets, an outdoor outlet mall with stores ranging from Adidas and Gap to Columbia and Kate Spade. To commute to Atlanta, hop on U.S. Route 19 to the west for about 50 miles.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Weather
Annual Precipitation
54''
Average Winter Low Temperature
29°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®®
26/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®®
23/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
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.