South Fulton, Georgia
City
Other nameRenaissance, Georgia
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyFulton
MayorCarmalitha Gumbs (D)
Established dateMay 1, 2017
Unit prefImperial
Area total86.25 sq mi
Area total223.40 km²
Area land85.22 sq mi
Area land220.71 km²
Area water1.04 sq mi
Area water2.69 km²
Population total107436
Population as of2020
Population rank293rd in the United States
8th in Georgia
Population density1260.75 sq mi
Population density486.78 km²
Time zoneEastern (EST) (UTC−5)
Time zone (DST)EDT (UTC−4)
Coordinates33.5925899°N 84.6729381°W
Elevation797 ft
Websitecityofsouthfultonga.gov
FIPS code13-72122
GNIS feature ID2786574[1]

South Fulton is a city in Fulton County, Georgia, in the Atlanta metropolitan area of the United States. It was incorporated in 2017 from parts of southwest Fulton County and includes the communities of Red Oak, Cooks Crossing, Stonewall, Fife, Ben Hill, Sandtown, Cliftondale, Ono, Cedar Grove, Boat Rock/Dry Pond, Maude, Lester, Enon, Welcome All, Peters Woods, and part of Campbellton.[2] As of 2020, it had a population of 107,436, making it the state's eighth-largest city in population.[3]According to the 2020 census, South Fulton had the highest percentage of African American residents among U.S. cities with a population over 100,000, exceeding the proportions in Detroit and Jackson.[4]

History

Creek people and Cherokee people are indigenous to the area.[5]

The 2016 Georgia General Assembly passed bill HB514 to incorporate South Fulton. Governor Nathan Deal signed the bill into law on April 29, 2016. On November 8, 59% of the citizens of what would become South Fulton voted to charter the city. This referendum was part of a "cityhood movement" in the Atlanta metropolitan area that began in 2005 with the incorporation of Sandy Springs on the north side of Atlanta. Several other communities in Fulton voted to incorporate in 2007.[6]

With the passage of the South Fulton referendum in 2016, Fulton County became the first county in Georgia with no unincorporated residential areas.[7] As a result, in 2017, Fulton County also became the first county in Georgia to cease providing municipal services such as fire, police, zoning, and code enforcement.[8] Many former Fulton County personnel and facilities were transferred to the City of South Fulton.[9]

On March 21, 2017, South Fulton held elections for mayor and city council, followed by runoff elections before incorporation took effect on May 1.[10]

The first mayor of South Fulton was Bill Edwards, who previously served on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners from 2000 to 2014.[11] His term expired on December 31, 2021.[12]

In November 2017, after a one-year waiting period mandated by state law, the city council selected Renaissance as the new name for the city after allowing residents to suggest names. More than 200 names were submitted, and the list was pared to 20, including Campbellton (a historical town now partly within the city), Atlanta Heights, Wolf Creek and retaining South Fulton.[13] Following a three-week public notice period and two regular public meetings, which are required to amend the city charter,[14] the city council approved the name change in December 2017. However, Mayor Edwards vetoed the name change on December 18, citing several reasons, including contracts and some public opposition.[15]

During the first eight months of incorporation, the city established its infrastructure and began assuming service responsibilities previously managed by Fulton County.[citation needed]

In 2023, it was announced that approximately 700 acres along Old National Highway, one of the primary commercial corridors in the city, were set for major revitalization. The revitalization project is scheduled to be completed by 2028.[16][17]

Demographics

South Fulton city, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2020[18]% 2020
White alone (NH)3,4023.17%
Black or African American alone (NH)96,46389.79%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)1480.14%
Asian alone (NH)4590.43%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)330.03%
Other race alone (NH)7290.68%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)2,6742.49%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)3,5283.28%
Total107,436100.00%

South Fulton was first listed in the 2020 U.S. census. As of the 2020 census, its population was 107,436.

According to the 2020 census, South Fulton had a racial and ethnic composition of approximately 90% Black or African American. Non-Hispanic whites made up 3.17% of the population, followed by 2.49% multiracial, 0.68% some other race, 0.43% Asian American, 0.14 Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, and 3.28% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Government

South Fulton operates with a weak mayor form of government. According to the National League of Cities, a weak mayor government includes a powerful council with both legislative and executive authority. The mayor is not truly the chief executive and has limited power. The council can prevent the mayor from supervising city administration.[19] South Fulton's mayor votes only in case of a tied council vote. The council is primarily responsible for creating and adopting policy via ordinances, resolutions, and amendments. Council members also approve proposed projects, services, events, and purchases above a certain dollar amount. South Fulton's city manager, who reports to the council, manages the city's day-to-day operations and supervises department heads.

As of 2024, the city's departments include City Clerk, City Manager, Public Affairs, Code Enforcement, Community Development, Economic Development, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal, Municipal Court, Parks and Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Police and Public Works. Additional services, including utilities, sanitation, elections, and public health, are managed by Fulton County or private providers. All public schools within the city are managed by Fulton County Schools.

Khalid Kamau controversy

Khalid Kamau was elected Mayor of South Fulton in 2021. Kamau has described himself as the first Black Lives Matter organizer elected to public office in the United States.[20] During his tenure, Kamau faced significant public and legal scrutiny involving both financial misconduct and criminal charges. In 2025, an independent audit by Baker Tilly alleged that Kamau misused approximately $70,000 in taxpayer funds for unauthorized expenses, including international travel to Ghana and luxury office items, leading the City Council to revoke his access to municipal buildings. Parallel to these fiscal controversies, Kamau was arrested in July 2023 for entering a private lake house he claimed to believe was abandoned; while an initial burglary charge was dropped, he was formally charged with criminal trespass. After rejecting a plea deal in late 2025, Kamau, who was heavily defeated in his re-election bid that November, is scheduled to stand trial for the misdemeanor charge on February 17, 2026.[21] Kamau was succeeded by Carmalitha Gumbs on 2 December 2025.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Fulton County Public Schools serve the city. The majority of students in the city are under the Westlake Cluster.[22][23]

Westlake Cluster

  • Westlake High School
  • Camp Creek Middle School
  • Seaborn Lee Elementary School
  • Frank D. McClarin Success Academy
  • A. Philip Randolph Elementary School
  • Sandtown Middle School
  • Stonewall Tell Elementary School

Other Fulton County clusters serving parts of South Fulton include Banneker, Creekside, and Langston Hughes.

Parks and recreation

The City of South Fulton Parks & Recreation Department manages 17 parks covering approximately 692 acres, offering a range of recreational amenities including athletic fields, gymnasiums, tennis centers, aquatic facilities, and walking trails. Additionally, the department oversees various community programs, youth sports leagues, and senior activities aimed at enhancing residents' quality of life. Parks in the city include Burdett Park, Sandtown Park, and Welcome All Park.

Arts and culture

The Department of Cultural Affairs oversees the city's artistic and cultural programming. The department manages cultural venues and supports public art initiatives.[24]

Southwest Arts Center

Established in 2001, the Southwest Arts Center serves as South Fulton's primary hub for arts education and performance. It includes a professional exhibition gallery, classrooms, and a theater that hosts performances ranging from community productions to nationally recognized shows.[25]

Wolf Creek Amphitheater

The Wolf Creek Amphitheater is an outdoor performance venue, situated on a 435-acre wooded site. With a seating capacity of 5,420, it features reserved seating, general admission lawn space, and VIP table sections.[26]

Public libraries

Atlanta–Fulton Public Library System operates in South Fulton.[27]

References

  1. ^
  2. ^ VICE News (2018-09-07), "Eight Black Women Run This City's Entire Justice System (HBO)", archived 2021-12-21 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 2018-09-07
  3. ^ "QuickFacts: South Fulton city, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  4. ^ "What Will Become of 'America's Blackest City'?". POLITICO. 2022-09-16. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  5. ^ "South Fulton Chamber of Commerce: South Fulton"
  6. ^ Sam Rosen (April 2017). "Atlanta's Controversial 'Cityhood' Movement". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  7. ^ Dave Williams (2016-10-07). "Fulton could be first fully incorporated county in Georgia". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  8. ^ Arielle Kass (2017-07-03). "Fulton County first in Georgia to relinquish city services". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  9. ^ Kass, Arielle. "Fulton County first in Georgia to relinquish city services". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  10. ^ "South Fulton Cityhood Transition: Top 10 FAQs". Fultoncountyga.gov. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  11. ^ "Meet the Mayor". South Fulton, GA. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  12. ^ Arielle Kass (2019-12-17). "South Fulton Mayor Bill Edwards investigated in development deal". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2020-02-15. Edwards' term expired Dec. 31, 2021.
  13. ^ Kahn, Michael (2017-12-20). "The City of South Fulton/Renaissance is having an identity crisis". Curbed Atlanta. Archived from the original on February 9, 2018. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  14. ^ Cochran, Noreen (November 13, 2017). "South Fulton votes to become Renaissance, Georgia". Mdjonline.com. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  15. ^ "South Fulton mayor [sic] town changing name to 'Renaissance'". Fox5atlanta.com. December 19, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  16. ^ "Plans underway to revitalize nearly 700 acres of Old National Highway in South Fulton". 11Alive.com. 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  17. ^ "Old National District | South Fulton, GA". www.cityofsouthfultonga.gov. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  18. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - South Fulton city, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ "Cities 101 — Mayoral Powers". National League of Cities. 2016-12-13. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  20. ^ [1], governing.com. Accessed June 30, 2023.
  21. ^ Zachary Bynum (17 December 2025). "South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau's trespassing case heads to trial while questions about race, power, and accountability remain - CBS Atlanta". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  22. ^ "School System | South Fulton, GA". www.cityofsouthfultonga.gov. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  23. ^ Westlake High School Digital Instruction (2020-04-09). 2020 Westlake High Seniors to be featured across South Fulton -"Keep your head to the sky!". Retrieved 2024-07-23. – via YouTube.
  24. ^ "Parks & Recreation | South Fulton, GA"
  25. ^ "Classes | South Fulton, GA"
  26. ^ "Wolf Creek Amphitheater | South Fulton, GA"
  27. ^ "Gladys S. Dennard Library @ South Fulton". www.fulcolibrary.org. Retrieved 2024-07-23.