About Fayette County

Cities and Towns of Fayette County

Profile of the County

Fayette County, Georgia, established in 1821 as the state’s 49th county, was formed from Creek Indian Territory and named, along with its seat Fayetteville, for the Marquis de Lafayette. Covering just 199 square miles, it is one of Georgia’s smallest counties and lies about 15 miles south of Atlanta in the Metro Atlanta area. It is bordered by Fulton, Clayton, Spalding, and Coweta counties and includes the communities of Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Brooks, Tyrone, and Woolsey.

Part of Georgia’s Piedmont region, the county features rolling hills, mild winters, warm summers, and four distinct seasons. Elevations range from 720 to 1,005 feet, with an average annual temperature of 61.4°F and rainfall of 48.61 inches.

Transportation access is strong, with proximity to Interstates 75, 85, and 285, several state highways, MARTA transit from nearby Fulton County, and Greyhound service in Hapeville.

Despite its small size, Fayette offers abundant recreation along with growing shopping and dining options. Each community has its own identity, from historic Fayetteville to cosmopolitan Peachtree City and pastoral Brooks and Woolsey. Blending history, location, and quality of life, Fayette County remains a sought-after place to live and visit.

Government Structure

The governing authority of Fayette County is a Board of Commissioners, consisting of five elected members. The Commissioners serve on a part-time basis and are elected to staggered terms of four years. While all five County Commissioners are elected at-large, three must reside in different districts within the County. At the Commissioners first meeting each calendar year, the Commission Chair and Vice Chair are selected by the Board. In their policy making capacity as prescribed by law, the Board of Commissioners is authorized to perform certain functions.

The language in the laws pertaining to counties seems perhaps outdated and not entirely applicable to our county. These laws were written for all counties in Georgia and have a broad application, and in fact, many of them are decades old, as one can tell by the use of certain terms.

In Fayette County and many others, the Board of Commissioners appoints a County Administrator. The County Administrator is responsible for the daily operations of all County functions in accordance with the policies of the Board of Commissioners and other legal statutes that may place responsibility for certain activities under the control of another County Official (Constitutional Officer). All county employees, with the exception of those who work for one of these Officers, fall under the direction of the County Administrator. Information about the duties and responsibilities of the Board of Commissioners and the County Administrator can be found elsewhere on this site.

Fayette County's GROWTH

Fayette County, known as the “Pearl of Metropolitan Atlanta’s Southern Crescent,” transformed over four decades from a rural area into a premier suburban community with a high quality of life. Growth began in the 1970s, fueled by the expansion of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which created jobs and drew families seeking affordable, uncrowded living. Early visionaries introduced building codes and zoning in 1959–60, rare for rural Georgia, laying the groundwork for orderly development. Peachtree City’s planned community model and industrial park further balanced growth. The county became known for safe neighborhoods, strong schools, low crime, and family-oriented amenities, earning national recognition from outlets like Georgia Trend, The Wall Street Journal, and American Demographics. While the 2000s economic downturn slowed growth, Fayette remained fiscally sound. Today, it continues managing development carefully, blending historic charm with modern amenities, and is widely regarded as one of Georgia’s most desirable places to live.