Milton Real Estate

Milton, Georgia

Milton is located in north Fulton County, about 30 miles north of downtown Atlanta, generally a 45 minute to one hour drive by way of GA 400 depending on traffic. From SRA Signature Realty's office in Tucker, reaching Milton typically means traveling north on GA 400 or through the Roswell and Alpharetta area, since the two communities sit on opposite ends of the metro region. Milton borders Cherokee County to the north and west, Forsyth County to the east, Roswell to the southwest, and Alpharetta to the south. The city covers just over 39 square miles, and its population grew from 32,661 residents at the 2010 census to 41,296 by 2020, a roughly 26 percent increase over the decade.

From Milton County to a New City

Milton takes its name indirectly from Milton County, an earlier Georgia county created on December 18, 1857, from parts of Cherokee, Forsyth, and Cobb counties and named for John Milton, Georgia's first secretary of state. Milton County struggled economically after the boll weevil devastated its cotton crops and the Great Depression followed, and the county merged into Fulton County on January 1, 1932. The land remained unincorporated for decades until residents voted, with about 85 percent approval, to form a new city, which was officially incorporated on December 1, 2006. Long before any of this, the area was part of the Cherokee Nation until the 1832 land lottery and subsequent removal opened it to settlement.

Crabapple, Birmingham, and Milton's Character Areas

Milton is organized around several distinct character areas, most notably Crabapple, Birmingham, and Deerfield. Crabapple traces back to 1874, when settlers built a log cabin beside an old crabapple tree and gave the growing settlement its name, and its historic five way crossroads continues to anchor a small, walkable collection of older buildings. Providence Baptist Church, founded in 1834, is recognized as the oldest church in the city. Twice each year, the community hosts an antique festival that draws visitors to Crabapple's historic core. Milton's comprehensive plan divides the entire city into eight character areas in total, including Crabapple, Birmingham, Deerfield, Central Milton, and others, each intended to keep its own distinct identity as the city continues to grow.

Horse Farms and Open Land

Milton's rural roots remain visible across the city. Around 85 percent of the land is agriculturally zoned, with a one acre minimum for most residential lots, a policy that has preserved large stretches of open pasture and woodland even as the surrounding region has grown. More than 200 active horse farms are spread throughout the city, supported by a dedicated Equestrian Committee that promotes the area's riding culture and horse related events. The result is a landscape where fenced pastures and barns sit alongside newer residential development, giving Milton a distinctly rural character within a metro area otherwise dominated by dense suburban growth.

Parks and Recreation

Milton maintains a growing system of parks that reflects both its active and passive sides. Bell Memorial Park offers lighted athletic fields for baseball, softball, and other sports, while Birmingham Park and Providence Park focus on walking trails and quieter green space. Milton City Park and Preserve adds a public pool and tennis courts, and Friendship Community Park provides additional trails and rentable gathering space. Together these facilities give residents a range of options for both organized recreation and time outdoors.

Homes in Milton

Because so much of Milton's land carries agricultural zoning, the city's housing tends toward larger lots, custom built homes, and horse properties, particularly outside its village centers. Around Crabapple and Deerfield, newer development has followed a more walkable, village style pattern, mixing homes with small scale shops and gathering spaces, while the broader city remains defined by its low density, rural feel.

• Visit the historic crossroads and antique festival in Crabapple


• Explore Milton's horse farms and equestrian trails


• Play a game at Bell Memorial Park


• Walk the trails at Providence Park or Birmingham Park


• Swim or play tennis at Milton City Park and Preserve

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Milton in

Milton is in Fulton County, in the northern part of the county near the Cherokee and Forsyth county lines.

How far is Milton from downtown Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta is roughly 30 miles from Milton, typically a 45 minute to one hour drive north on GA 400.

When was Milton incorporated

Milton was incorporated on December 1, 2006, after residents approved cityhood with about 85 percent of the vote.

What is Crabapple

Crabapple is one of Milton's historic character areas, centered on a five way crossroads settled in 1874, with older buildings and a smaller, walkable commercial core.

What is Milton known for

Milton is known for its large lot, agriculturally zoned land and its strong equestrian community, with more than 200 active horse farms spread across the city.