Sandy Springs, Georgia is a thriving city located just north of Atlanta in Fulton County. With a population of over 110,000 residents, Sandy Springs is the sixth largest city in Georgia. The city has seen immense growth in recent decades and has established itself as an important economic hub in the metro Atlanta area.
Population and Demographics
According to the Wikipedia page for Sandy Springs, the city had an estimated population of 110,750 as of 2021. Sandy Springs is one of the most populated cities in the state of Georgia, and is the second largest city in metro Atlanta after Atlanta itself.
Sandy Springs has a highly diverse population. As of the 2020 census, the racial and ethnic composition of the city was as follows:
- White: 69.1%
- Black or African American: 9.6%
- Asian: 15.5%
- Hispanic or Latino: 9.8%
Compared to other cities in Georgia, Sandy Springs has a uniquely large Asian population at 15.5%. Many Korean and South Asian immigrants have settled in Sandy Springs, influencing the local culture and economy.
The median age in Sandy Springs is 39.5 years old. Sandy Springs has a highly educated population, with 61.4% of residents over the age of 25 holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. This skilled workforce helps attract major employers to the city.
History and Economy
Sandy Springs has a unique history as a newly formed city in Georgia. In 2005, Sandy Springs was incorporated as a city, making it the third largest city ever to incorporate in the United States. Prior to 2005, Sandy Springs was an unincorporated suburb of Atlanta.
Incorporation enabled Sandy Springs to provide services to residents directly instead of relying on Fulton County. The city operates as a public-private partnership, contracting services like economic development, parks and recreation, and public works to private companies. This innovative model has created economic growth and development for Sandy Springs.
Today, Sandy Springs’ economy thrives on industries like healthcare, information technology, finance, and business services. Major companies headquartered in Sandy Springs include:
Other top employers in Sandy Springs include hospitals like Northside Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital. The strong presence of healthcare providers makes healthcare the top industry in Sandy Springs, providing over 18,000 jobs in the city.
Several major companies like State Farm, Mercedes-Benz, IBM and AT&T have major regional offices located in Sandy Springs. With its high median household income of $107,211, Sandy Springs has a strong tax base to support government services.
Real Estate and Development
Along with its incorporation as a city, Sandy Springs has seen a real estate boom in the last two decades. Between 2000 and 2010, the city saw a rapid development of apartment complexes, many aimed at luxury clientele. Single family homes in Sandy Springs are quite expensive, with a median value of $526,400 according to Zillow.
Most residents live in apartments, condos and townhomes located in mixed-use developments. Popular developments include:
- Perimeter Place
- Abernathy 400
- City Springs
- The Plaza at City Center
These developments integrate residential, retail, restaurants and entertainment in a walkable format. City Springs is a prime example of Sandy Springs’ development growth. Opened in 2018, this $200 million mixed-use development features a performing arts center, park, and municipal government complex.
Sandy Springs offers convenient access to major highways and transit like MARTA, while providing abundant green space and recreational opportunities sought by residents.
Tourism and Attractions
Although not as much of a tourism draw as downtown Atlanta, Sandy Springs still offers many attractions and events for visitors. Some places to visit include:
- Heritage Sandy Springs Museum – History museum chronicling the founding and development of Sandy Springs.
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area – Sandy Springs section of this National Park Service site.
- Hammond Park – Large park with sports fields, trails, pool, and golf course.
Annual events in Sandy Springs include the Sandy Springs Festival in September, weekly concerts and movies at City Springs in summer, and the annual July 4th fireworks display. The Mercedes-Benz USA headquarters offers public tours showcasing luxury vehicles.
Popular shopping and dining destinations include:
- The Avenue Buckhead – Upscale outdoor mall with luxury stores and restaurants.
- North River Town Center – A new mixed-use development with retail and dining.
- Restaurant Row – Area along Roswell Road with international cuisine.
The Atlanta metro area offers endless entertainment options. Sandy Springs places residents close to attractions like the Atlanta Zoo, World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium and more.
Sports and Recreation
The main sports team representing Sandy Springs is Atlanta United FC, which plays at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Sandy Springs residents enthusiastically support this Major League Soccer team, which won the MLS Cup championship in 2018.
Within Sandy Springs itself, the Atlanta Voltage professional ultimate frisbee team plays home games at the Sandy Springs Stadium. Community sports leagues for youth and adults are popular, many playing games at fields built as part of new developments.
Parks and green space provide recreational opportunities within Sandy Springs. Some favorites include
- Morgan Falls Overlook Park
- Big Trees Forest Preserve
- Heritage Sandy Springs Park
The PATH Foundation Trail runs through Sandy Springs, connecting with the extensive Atlanta BeltLine regional trail network. The Chattahoochee River offers whitewater rafting and activities within city limits.
City Government
The City of Sandy Springs government provides municipal services to residents. Government administration is located at City Springs civic complex. Residents can get information on city government services and activities on the official city website.
The city operates an innovative public-private partnership model as discussed earlier. City Council consists of the mayor and 6 council members, with the mayor serving as chairperson.
Sandy Springs requires all services like public works, parks and recreation, communications and more to be put out for competitive bidding to private companies. This leveraging of private sector efficiency has created fiscal health and quality services for Sandy Springs.
The official Sandy Springs government Facebook page provides updates and information for residents. Overall, Sandy Springs has utilized private sector partnerships and community involvement to develop a thriving new city in metro Atlanta.