# Braselton, Georgia

Braselton (/ˈbræzəltən/ BRAZ-əl-tən) is a town in Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall, and Jackson counties in the U.S. state of Georgia, approximately 43 miles (69 km) northeast of Atlanta. As of the 2020 census, the town had a population of 13,403, and in 2023 the estimated population was 15,538.
The Gwinnett and Barrow County portions of Braselton are part of Metro Atlanta, and the Hall County portion is part of both the Atlanta and Gainesville, Georgia metropolitan areas. The remaining Jackson County portion of Braselton is not part of any core based statistical area.

## History

The first permanent settlement at Braselton was made in 1884. The town is named after Harrison Braselton, a poor dirt farmer who married Susan Hosch, the daughter of a rich plantation owner. Braselton built a home on 786 acres (318 ha) of land he purchased north of the Hosch Plantation. The land he purchased was later called Braselton. The Georgia General Assembly incorporated Braselton as a town in 1916.
In 1989 actress and Georgia native Kim Basinger and other investors bought 1,751 acres (709 ha) of the town's 2,000 privately owned acres for $20 million from Braselton Brothers Inc, intending to turn it into a tourist destination. In 1995, facing personal bankruptcy, she and her partners sold the land for $4.3 million.

## Geography

Braselton is located at 34°06′33″N 83°45′46″W﻿ / ﻿34.10917°N 83.76278°W﻿ / 34.10917; -83.76278 (34.109167, -83.762778).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 12.5 square miles (32.4 km$^2$), of which 12.4 square miles (32.2 km$^2$) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km$^2$), or 0.79%, is water. Braselton has seen its growth from 7.20 square miles (18.6 km$^2$) to its current size from annexations into surrounding areas.
Braselton borders the mailing addresses (not city limits) of Gainesville (Candler), Flowery Branch, Oakwood (Chestnut Mountain side), and Pendergrass.
The town borders the city limits and shares a ZIP code with Hoschton.
The Road Atlanta race track has a Braselton address, but is located just north of the town itself.

## Demographics

Braselton racial composition as of 2020 :
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 9,316 | 69.51% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 1,468 | 10.95% |
| Native American | 17 | 0.13% |
| Asian | 567 | 4.23% |
| Pacific Islander | 4 | 0.03% |
| Other/Mixed | 561 | 4.19% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,470 | 10.97% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,403 people, 3,779 households, and 3,100 families residing in the town.
In 2022 the Braselton population by county breakdown was as follows: 2,973 in Gwinnett County, 1,763 in Jackson County, 1,690 in Hall County, and 1,085 in Barrow County.

## Infrastructure

The town operates a police department, a Hall County Sheriff's Office location, post office, and one fire station. Northeast Georgia Health System built a new hospital in the Central/Greater Braselton area that opened in Spring 2015. It's the first net-new hospital in Georgia in 20 years.

## Education

Portions in Barrow County are in the Barrow County School District. For this portion, Bramlett Elementary School is the zoned elementary school, and Winder-Barrow High School is the zoned high school.
Portions in Gwinnett County are in the Gwinnett County Public Schools school district. This section is zoned to Duncan Creek Elementary School, Osborn Middle School, and Mill Creek High School.
Portions in Hall County are in the Hall County School District.
The portion in Jackson County is in the Jackson County School District.