Trying to decide if Lawrenceville is your sweet spot among Atlanta’s suburbs? You want a home that balances price, space, commute, and community, without guesswork. In this guide, you’ll get clear facts on housing, transportation, amenities, and who Lawrenceville tends to fit best, so you can feel confident about your next move. Let’s dive in.
Lawrenceville at a glance
Lawrenceville gives you a suburban city feel with a walkable historic core, broad housing options, and steady access to jobs across Gwinnett and metro Atlanta. A few quick facts help you frame the decision.
- Population: 31,877 (2024 estimate)
- Mean one-way commute: 32.1 minutes
- Median household income: $61,561
- Owner-occupancy: about 47%; ACS median value of owner-occupied housing: $350,600
All figures above come from the U.S. Census QuickFacts for Lawrenceville city and reflect 2020–2024 ACS estimates. You can review the latest city snapshot on the official Census page for Lawrenceville, GA.
On current pricing, multiple data vendors show median sold or typical values in the high 300s to low 400s through late 2025 and early 2026. Methods vary by provider, so treat these as directional and verify with current MLS data.
Housing options and price bands
What you’ll find
- Downtown Lawrenceville: Around the historic courthouse square and the Lawrenceville Arts Center, you’ll see older single-family homes, small-lot infill, and townhomes or condos within a walkable grid. It’s the most pedestrian-friendly pocket and the community’s cultural hub, highlighted by events and theaters covered by Explore Gwinnett.
- Suburban neighborhoods: Outside the small city limits, many buyers still search “Lawrenceville” by ZIP code. You’ll find larger subdivisions from the 1980s–2000s plus newer infill and townhome developments near Sugarloaf Parkway and GA-316. Across this broader footprint, ATTOM reports an average single-family home age of about 31 years. See ATTOM’s Lawrenceville area profile for context: ATTOM market overview.
- Rentals and student-oriented options: Apartments and purpose-built rentals cluster near Georgia Gwinnett College and along major corridors. You’ll also find townhomes and condos marketed to young professionals and small households.
Typical price ranges
- Entry or starter options: Smaller townhomes, condos, and older single-family homes often trade from the low to mid 200s up to the low 300s, depending on size and updates.
- Most single-family homes: Many neighborhoods fall in the mid 300s to around 500k, with variation by ZIP.
- Newer builds and larger lots: Expect 500k and up for newer construction, more square footage, and higher-end finishes. Market reports, including ATTOM’s sold-price series, showed median sold prices in the high 300s to mid 400s across 2024–2025. Verify specifics with current MLS data and recent neighborhood comps.
Practical note: “Lawrenceville” in listings can mean the city or unincorporated Gwinnett with a Lawrenceville postal address. For taxes, HOAs, and school zones, confirm the exact parcel details before you write an offer.
Commute and getting around
Driving reality
The typical one-way commute for Lawrenceville residents is 32.1 minutes, based on Census estimates. Actual drive times vary widely by destination. Many commuters to core Atlanta job centers experience about 35 to 60 minutes in peak periods. Key routes include I-85 North, GA-316, Buford Highway, and Jimmy Carter Boulevard. See the Census profile for city-level commute context: Lawrenceville QuickFacts.
Bus and park-and-ride options
- Ride Gwinnett local buses serve Lawrenceville and connect to county hubs and park-and-ride lots. Review current routes and schedules on Ride Gwinnett.
- GRTA Xpress commuter buses operate from the Sugarloaf Mills park-and-ride near Lawrenceville with routes to Downtown, Midtown, and Perimeter employment centers during peak hours. The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority details the Sugarloaf Mills facility and routes here: ATL Xpress Sugarloaf Mills.
Transit coverage is limited compared with intown neighborhoods. Most residents rely on cars for errands and many commutes. If daily transit access is essential, confirm schedules and service frequencies align with your work hours.
Commute-testing tips
- Test your route at your real travel times. Try both directions if you work a hybrid schedule.
- If you work a standard 9 to 5, compare a direct drive to the Xpress bus plus a last-mile ride share near your office.
- If your job is in Perimeter Center, Duluth, or near the Mall of Georgia, you may find shorter drive times than going into Downtown or Midtown.
Lifestyle and things to do
Downtown energy and events
Lawrenceville’s historic square is a true community focal point. The Lawrenceville Arts Center and a professional theater group fuel a steady calendar of shows, while the Lawrenceville Lawn hosts concerts and seasonal gatherings. Restaurants and boutique shops add a small-city vibe that feels welcoming on weeknights and weekends. For a feel of the arts and event scene, explore this local roundup.
Parks, sports, and outdoor time
Rhodes Jordan Park brings a lake, trails, sports fields, and an aquatic center right in the area. Tribble Mill Park and Fort Yargo State Park are easy drives for bigger green spaces. For live sports, Coolray Field hosts the Gwinnett Stripers with themed nights and community events. The Gwinnett County Fairgrounds rounds out the calendar with fairs, festivals, and regional gatherings.
Schools and learning
K–12 overview
Lawrenceville is served by Gwinnett County Public Schools. Attendance zones vary by address and can change over time. If schools are a key factor for your move, confirm the exact zoning for the property you’re considering directly with the district before you make an offer. Keep language neutral and rely on official district data for final confirmation.
College and community programs
Georgia Gwinnett College sits in Lawrenceville, providing events, lectures, and a local talent pipeline for area employers. The campus also supports steady rental demand in nearby neighborhoods. Learn more about GGC’s employer and community connections here: Georgia Gwinnett College.
Jobs, healthcare, and growth signals
- Healthcare anchor: Northside Hospital Gwinnett (formerly Gwinnett Medical Center) is a major employer and a regional healthcare hub. That presence supports jobs across medical, administrative, and allied health fields. See the hospital profile: Northside Hospital Gwinnett.
- County seat: As the seat of Gwinnett County, Lawrenceville concentrates government offices and court operations in the city core. That adds steady public sector employment and daytime foot traffic for local businesses.
- Regional job access: Many residents commute to Perimeter Center, Duluth/Sugarloaf, Midtown, Downtown, or the Mall of Georgia area. Commuter bus routes and major highways help make those hops workable.
Safety and due diligence
Like any city, safety varies by micro-neighborhood. Review address-level data and talk with local authorities for the most current picture. The FBI-sourced aggregation at CrimeExplorer’s Lawrenceville page is a starting point, but combine it with local police resources and your own on-the-ground observations at different times of day.
Pros and trade-offs
What you may love
- A wide range of housing options, from townhomes and established subdivisions to newer builds, often at prices below many intown Atlanta neighborhoods.
- A true suburban downtown with arts, dining, and events that make it easy to plug into the community.
- Practical commute choices, including peak-hour GRTA Xpress routes from Sugarloaf Mills.
- Strong family and community amenities, including parks, a regional hospital campus, and a public college.
What to weigh carefully
- Transit coverage is limited compared with intown areas, so most daily errands and many commutes require a car.
- Commutes into core Atlanta job centers can run 40 to 60 minutes or more in rush hour. Test your route at your exact times.
- Street-by-street differences matter. Confirm HOA rules, taxes, school zones, and recent comparable sales at the address level.
Who Lawrenceville tends to fit
- Good fit: You want suburban space with a small-city downtown, can tolerate a 30 to 60 minute commute or use peak commuter buses, and value parks, hospital access, and a college nearby.
- Less ideal: You require frequent, fast rail service into Atlanta or a daily commute under 30 minutes to Downtown during peak hours.
How to choose your spot wisely
- Define your commute: List your likely destinations and test drive times at peak and off-peak.
- Map budget to neighborhoods: Use current MLS data to cross-check the ranges above with today’s listings.
- Verify the parcel: Confirm whether the address is inside city limits or in unincorporated Gwinnett, then check taxes, zoning, and HOA rules.
- Confirm school assignments: Look up the exact property with the district to avoid surprises.
- Inspect the home age and systems: Many homes average around 30 years old in the broader area. Budget for roof, HVAC, and plumbing timelines.
- If you’re investing: Model rent, taxes, insurance, HOA, and maintenance with a conservative vacancy rate. Lawrenceville’s college and healthcare presence can support steady rental demand in select pockets.
Ready to explore homes in Lawrenceville?
If Lawrenceville checks your boxes, take the next step with a local advisor who blends family-first guidance with investor-grade analysis. From neighborhood tours and commute testing to price checks and due diligence, Jim Stern helps you move with clarity and confidence. Schedule a Consultation and see if Lawrenceville is the right fit.
FAQs
Is Lawrenceville, GA affordable compared to intown Atlanta?
- Many Lawrenceville homes trade in the mid 300s to around 500k, with entry options below that, often at lower prices than many intown neighborhoods. Verify with current MLS data.
How long is the commute from Lawrenceville to Midtown Atlanta?
- Census shows a 32.1-minute mean one-way city commute, but Midtown drives can run 40 to 60 minutes in peak hours. Test your route at your exact times.
What kinds of homes are common in Lawrenceville?
- You’ll find older single-family homes, 1980s–2000s subdivisions, newer infill, and townhomes or condos near downtown and major corridors. Average home age in the broader area is about 31 years.
Does Lawrenceville have public transit options for commuters?
- Yes. Ride Gwinnett runs local routes, and GRTA Xpress offers peak-hour buses from Sugarloaf Mills to major job centers. Service is limited versus intown rail, so check schedules.
Is Lawrenceville good for real estate investors?
- It can be, especially near employment and campus corridors. Model rents, expenses, and maintenance carefully, and confirm HOA and zoning rules at the parcel level before you buy.
