Now known as a commuter city, Cumming was not always a suburban city. Just northeast of Atlanta in Forsyth County, the area was first inhabited by Cherokee tribes. Then, after the 19^th century gold rush and the Trail of Tears, Cumming suffered an economic depression. Railroads bypassed the city, forcing a slow growth.

In the 1950s, Lake Lanier was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Finally, growth greatly escalated. Land prices, originally $20 to $40 an acre before the 1950s, began to soar. In the 1970s, the creation of Georgia 400 helped Cumming transform from a rural to suburban city.

Along with this transformation came more housing developments. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Homefinder, Cumming has a population of 57,059. The housing inventory for the city includes 14,339 owned properties and 4,331 rentals.

Trulia, an online residential real estate site, lists 2,119 homes for sale. Prices range from $280,000 to $3,000,000. For renters, the site shows 174 rentals ranging in price from $650 to $4,000 per month.

Most residents are between the ages of 35 and 54, with the second largest age group ranging from infant to 19 years old. 40 percent of the households include children who attend sought after schools, including Cumming Elementary, North Forsyth Middle and North Forsyth High.

Cumming has many local attractions that keep residents busy.

Shopping and Dining

• The Avenues Forsyth. This outdoor lifestyle center offers a dynamic mix of shopping and dining. Its directory includes Barnes & Noble, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, DSW, LOFT, PeachMac, Talbots, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Dreamy Gelato and Chocolates, four40 kitchen + bar, Marlow’s Tavern and Ted’s Montana Grill.
• Foster House. Located at 305 W Main St. in Cumming, Foster House serves breakfast, afternoon tea, lunch and dinner. Menu items include fried egg sandwiches, sweet potato chips, fried green tomatoes, chicken salad, tilapia fish sandwiches, fried pork chops, roast beef, shrimp, cheesecake and its award-winning bourbon bread pudding.
• Vickery Village. A mixed-use development, Vickery Village provides opportunities for shopping, dining, working and living. Highlights include a 50,000 square foot YMCA, Cinco Mexican Cantina, Sogno Gelato, Tanner’s Vickery, The Flower Post and Vickery Executive Suites.
• Norman’s Landing. At this restaurant, they want to spoil you. Menu items include lobster, shrimp, trout, tilapia, country fried steak, wings, fried pickle chips, clam chowder, key lime pie and cobbler.

Entertainment and Recreation

• The Cumming Fairgrounds. The Cumming Fairgrounds hosts an array of activities throughout the year. These include rodeos, the 4^th of July celebration, Taste of Forsyth, Steam, Gas Expo and the fair. This year, the Cumming Country Fair & Festival is scheduled for October 3 through 13. The fair features rides, games, great food and the Miss Cumming Fair Pageant.
• Cumming Aquatic Center. Spend summer at the Cumming Aquatic Center. This state-of-the-art facility opened in 2011 and has a 50-meter competition pool, 25-yard instructional pool and outdoor leisure pool with slide, lazy river and play structure. The Cumming Aquatic Center also hosts a USA diving club and three year-round USA swim teams.
• Poole’s Mill Park. Tranquility can still be found in Cumming at this one-of-a-kind park. It features a covered bridge, playground, horse shoe pits, picnic pavilion with grills, picnic tables, creek with waterfall and the Cumming Garden Club’s Memorial Garden.
• Lake Lanier. One of America’s favorite lakes, Lake Lanier has several million visitors a year. Activities include camping, swimming, boating, hiking, golfing, dining and more.

Historical Attractions

• Cumming Public School/Cumming Playhouse. Built in the 1920s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Cumming Public School is owned by the city of Cumming. It houses the Historical Society of Forsyth County and the Col. Hiram Parks Bell Center for Southern History and Genealogical Research. Opening at the school in 2004, the Cumming Playhouse features various concerts with an array of music styles, including blues, jazz, classical, bluegrass and country.
• Brannon-Heard House. This beautiful, two-story historic house was built in 1905. It is the perfect venue for weddings, receptions and other special events. The house still has its original stairwell, hardwood floors, wrap-around porch and fireplaces.
• Veterans War Memorial. Located at 301 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, just one block from the city square, this memorial pays homage to the sons and daughters of Cumming and Forsyth who fought for their country in the armed services. On the permanent display, you will find the names of brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives.

Do these amazing housing and recreational opportunities attract you to Cumming?