College Park, Georgia: A City of History, Hospitality, and Modern Growth

College Park, Georgia, a city straddling Fulton and Clayton counties, stands as a testament to the blend of historical charm and modern development. Adjacent to Atlanta's southern boundary, College Park offers a unique combination of small-town atmosphere and big-city access, making it an attractive place to live, work, and visit.

A Journey Through Time: From Atlantic City to College Park

The story of College Park begins in 1890 with its establishment as Atlantic City, a depot along the Atlanta and West Point Railroad. Incorporated as a city in 1891, it was briefly known as Manchester before permanently adopting the name College Park in 1896. This final name was inspired by the presence of two prominent educational institutions: Cox College, whose former site now houses the city hall and other buildings, and Georgia Military Academy, currently known as Woodward Academy.

Population and Demographics

According to the 2020 United States census, College Park had a population of 13,930, residing in 5,861 households and 2,911 families. The racial and ethnic composition of the city is diverse, with the US Census treating Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category.

The city experienced a significant population shift between 2000 and 2010, with a 31.6% reduction. However, College Park continues to be a vibrant community within the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Economy and Business

College Park's strategic location near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has significantly shaped its economy. It serves as a gateway to the world, attracting businesses and visitors alike.

Notably, Chick-fil-A, a renowned fast-food chicken chain, has its headquarters in College Park. Atlantic Southeast Airlines was also headquartered in College Park until its merger with ExpressJet in 2011.

Gateway Center Arena

In November 2019, College Park welcomed the Gateway Center Arena, a state-of-the-art facility that serves as the home of the College Park Skyhawks, the NBA G-League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, and the WNBA's Atlanta Dream. Reaching the arena from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport takes just a couple minutes via the free ATL SkyTrain, and it's also a short drive from downtown Atlanta.

Revitalization and Development

Downtown College Park anchors the city with its historic Main Street business district. Through assistance from the College Park Development / Main Street Office, new specialty businesses are replacing once vacant storefronts and transitional businesses. The city has actively pursued revitalization projects, transforming vacant storefronts into thriving specialty businesses.

Georgia International Convention Center

The Georgia International Convention Center (GICC), owned and operated by the City of College Park, is the second-largest convention center in Georgia. Originally opened in 1985 at a separate location, the center was relocated to its current site in 2003 in response to planned airport runway expansions. The GICC boasts a carpeted ballroom and multiple spaces for meetings, conferences, and conventions. The GICC is just two minutes from the airport via the free ATL SkyTrain and surrounded by several hotels, which makes attending a conference or event here a breeze.

Historic Preservation

College Park is proud to have the fourth-largest urban historic district in Georgia, featuring 867 structures on the Historic Register. The City’s historical collection consists of homes, monuments, businesses, schools, churches, parks, a cemetery, government building, and railway station. The city's historical architecture is a point of pride.

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Community and Lifestyle

College Park offers a diverse range of activities and amenities for its residents and visitors.

Parks and Recreation

The city maintains four public recreation facilities:

Wayman & Bessie Brady Recreation Center
Hugh C. Conley Recreation Center
Tracey Wyatt Recreation Complex
Historic College Park Golf Course

There are also four parks: Barrett Park, Brenningham Park, Jamestown Park, and Richard D.

Government

The city of College Park is governed by a mayor and four council members.

Education

Zoned schools within College Park include:

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College Park Elementary School
Heritage Elementary School
Asa G. Hilliard Elementary School (in East Point)
Parklane Elementary School (in East Point)
Paul D. West Middle School
Woodland Middle School
Benjamin Banneker High School (in an unincorporated area)
Tri-Cities High School (in East Point)

The Main Street Academy, a K-8 public charter school, also serves the Tri-Cities area. Additionally, Woodward Academy, the largest independent school in the continental United States, is located in College Park.

Transportation

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) provides rail and bus service in College Park, offering convenient access to the wider Atlanta metropolitan area.

Crime Rate

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's annual Uniform Crime Report reveals that the College Park Police Department has historically reported a high crime rate per 100,000 persons as compared to other US jurisdictions. In 2008, College Park had one of the highest crime rates in Georgia, with reports including 13 homicides. However, 2008 was an outlier with respect to the rest of that decade and homicide; for the rest of the years between 2000 and 2010, between 1 and 3 homicides were reported annually.

Film History

Notably, portions of the film Invasion USA were filmed in abandoned areas of College Park. Houses owned by the City of Atlanta and the FAA were allowed to be blown up to simulate bazooka attacks, a decision that has faced modern day criticism due to the fact that nearby properties were still in the process of being purchased.

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