Berkeley Lake, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Berkeley Lake is a city in Gwinnett County
, Georgia
, United States
. From its 1956 origins as a summer retreat, Berkeley Lake has grown into a thriving community centered on its 77 acres (311,608.2 m²) namesake lake. According to the 2000 census, Berkeley Lake is the most affluent community in metro Atlanta and all of Georgia; its 1,695 residents have the highest median household income at $109,401, the highest median number of rooms per house at 8½, and the highest median monthly house payment at $2,152. The city is also known for being an environmentally progressive city, a bird and wildlife sanctuary, and has been named Tree City USA
for the past eight years.
between Peachtree Corners
and Duluth
. The community consists of several subdivisions around an 88 acres (356,123.7 m²) private lake.
Berkeley Lake residents are mostly a mix of entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and other professionals. There is also a large number of artists and writers. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/comsite5/bin/pdinventory.pl?pdlanding=1&referid=2930&purchase_type=ITM&item_id=0286-8764765
Berkeley Lake topped the category of highest median household in the 1990 census, making it the most affluent community in Atlanta area for the second decade in a row. http://www.dirt-e.com/blog/2002/10/30/gwinnett-county-city-is-most-affluent-in-metro-atlanta/
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (3.0 km²), of which, 1.0 square miles (2.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (12.28%) is water.
of 2000, there were 1,695 people, 601 households, and 504 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,682.8 people per square mile (648.0/km²). There were 610 housing units at an average density of 605.6 per square mile (233.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.94% White, 4.07% African American, 0.18% Native American, 11.80% Asian, 1.65% from other races
, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.65% of the population.
There were 601 households out of which 43.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 77.2% were married couples
living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.1% were non-families. 12.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $109,401, and the median income for a family was $115,548. Males had a median income of $84,708 versus $51,750 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $69,439. About 2.7% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
. In 1950 the Berkeley Lake "subdivision," which included five reserved Free Pass and Repass tracts (FPR) and the residential and fishing lots around the lake, was laid out. In 1952, Calvin and Kate Parsons, along with John and Dorothy Bagwell, purchased the Berkeley Realty & Investment Company and its 700 acres (2.8 km²) property.
For many years, Berkeley Lake was primarily a summer retreat, with an assortment of fishing cottages mingling with a slowly growing number of permanent homes. The health of the lake was guarded by a small, but tenacious, core of residents, each lending their expertise and time.
In 1953, some 25 property owners met and formed the Lake Berkeley Civic Association. Besides zoning and developmental control, there were important needs such as electricity, telephones, and "an all year road" around the lake. This need for benefits that an incorporated city could help secure brought about the creation of our charter, which was approved by the General Assembly of Georgia on March 6, 1956. A new municipality to be known as the City of Berkeley Lake was created in Gwinnett County, Georgia.
Over the years since the city's incorporation, a number of ordinances have been passed to protect the character and tranquility of the community. In addition, a comprehensive Master Plan for future land use and growth was developed and adopted.
Since 1994, five new subdivisions have been added to nearly complete the development of all the land within the city limits. Only two tracts of over 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) remain. In November 1996, residents supported a referendum for the issuance of a bond to be used to purchase one of these tracts, approximately 63 acres (254,952.2 m²) of undeveloped forest land. This property, which provides both buffer and greenspace, was acquired by the city in December 1996. http://www.berkeley-lake.ga.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=342&Itemid=103
system: Berkeley Lake Elementary, Duluth Middle, and Duluth High School
.
Gwinnett County, Georgia
, Gwinnett County had a population of 805,321. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 53.3% white , 23.6% black , 2.7% Korean, 2.6% Asian Indian, 2.0% Vietnamese, 3.3% other Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 8.8% some other race and 3.1% from two or more races...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. From its 1956 origins as a summer retreat, Berkeley Lake has grown into a thriving community centered on its 77 acres (311,608.2 m²) namesake lake. According to the 2000 census, Berkeley Lake is the most affluent community in metro Atlanta and all of Georgia; its 1,695 residents have the highest median household income at $109,401, the highest median number of rooms per house at 8½, and the highest median monthly house payment at $2,152. The city is also known for being an environmentally progressive city, a bird and wildlife sanctuary, and has been named Tree City USA
Tree City USA
Tree City USA is a tree planting and tree care program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation for cities and towns in the United States.- Requirements :...
for the past eight years.
Background
Berkeley Lake is located off of Peachtree Industrial BoulevardPeachtree Industrial Boulevard
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard is a very long road that runs from Peachtree Street just south of Chamblee, and ends in Buford.-DeKalb County:-Gwinnett County:-See also:*Georgia State Route 141...
between Peachtree Corners
Peachtree Corners, Georgia
Peachtree Corners is a city in western Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States. It is a northern suburb of Atlanta, located east of Dunwoody and south of Johns Creek. Out of all of Atlanta's northern suburbs, Peachtree Corners is the only one that was developed as a planned community...
and Duluth
Duluth, Georgia
Duluth is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia and an increasingly more affluent and developed suburb of Atlanta. Unincorporated portions of Forsyth County also have Duluth as a mailing address, though this area is outside city limits...
. The community consists of several subdivisions around an 88 acres (356,123.7 m²) private lake.
Berkeley Lake residents are mostly a mix of entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and other professionals. There is also a large number of artists and writers. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/comsite5/bin/pdinventory.pl?pdlanding=1&referid=2930&purchase_type=ITM&item_id=0286-8764765
Berkeley Lake topped the category of highest median household in the 1990 census, making it the most affluent community in Atlanta area for the second decade in a row. http://www.dirt-e.com/blog/2002/10/30/gwinnett-county-city-is-most-affluent-in-metro-atlanta/
Geography
Berkeley Lake is located at 33°59′7"N 84°11′0"W (33.985333, -84.183382).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (3.0 km²), of which, 1.0 square miles (2.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (12.28%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,695 people, 601 households, and 504 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,682.8 people per square mile (648.0/km²). There were 610 housing units at an average density of 605.6 per square mile (233.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.94% White, 4.07% African American, 0.18% Native American, 11.80% Asian, 1.65% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.65% of the population.
There were 601 households out of which 43.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 77.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.1% were non-families. 12.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $109,401, and the median income for a family was $115,548. Males had a median income of $84,708 versus $51,750 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $69,439. About 2.7% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
History
The majority of lands in the city limits (the 700 acres (2.8 km²) Berkeley Lake Properties) was developed by Frank Coggins in the late 1940s. The dam, constructed in 1948, is one of the largest earthen dams in the state. The city's namesake, Lake Berkeley (77 acres (311,608.2 m²)), was named after Mr. Coggins' Berkeley Blue Granite Quarries in ElbertonElberton, Georgia
Elberton is the largest city in Elbert County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,743 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Elbert County and serves as a hub for industry and small business in Northeast Georgia...
. In 1950 the Berkeley Lake "subdivision," which included five reserved Free Pass and Repass tracts (FPR) and the residential and fishing lots around the lake, was laid out. In 1952, Calvin and Kate Parsons, along with John and Dorothy Bagwell, purchased the Berkeley Realty & Investment Company and its 700 acres (2.8 km²) property.
For many years, Berkeley Lake was primarily a summer retreat, with an assortment of fishing cottages mingling with a slowly growing number of permanent homes. The health of the lake was guarded by a small, but tenacious, core of residents, each lending their expertise and time.
In 1953, some 25 property owners met and formed the Lake Berkeley Civic Association. Besides zoning and developmental control, there were important needs such as electricity, telephones, and "an all year road" around the lake. This need for benefits that an incorporated city could help secure brought about the creation of our charter, which was approved by the General Assembly of Georgia on March 6, 1956. A new municipality to be known as the City of Berkeley Lake was created in Gwinnett County, Georgia.
Over the years since the city's incorporation, a number of ordinances have been passed to protect the character and tranquility of the community. In addition, a comprehensive Master Plan for future land use and growth was developed and adopted.
Since 1994, five new subdivisions have been added to nearly complete the development of all the land within the city limits. Only two tracts of over 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) remain. In November 1996, residents supported a referendum for the issuance of a bond to be used to purchase one of these tracts, approximately 63 acres (254,952.2 m²) of undeveloped forest land. This property, which provides both buffer and greenspace, was acquired by the city in December 1996. http://www.berkeley-lake.ga.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=342&Itemid=103
Education
Berkeley Lake residents are zoned to Duluth cluster schools in the Gwinnett County Public SchoolsGwinnett County Public Schools
Gwinnett County Public Schools is a school district operating in Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA. GCPS is the largest school system in Georgia, with 123 schools and an estimated enrollment of 161,000 students for the 2010-2011 year. GCPS is estimated to be the 14th largest school district in the...
system: Berkeley Lake Elementary, Duluth Middle, and Duluth High School
Duluth High School
Duluth High School is a public secondary school in Duluth, a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. It provides education for grades 9-12 and is operated by Gwinnett County Public Schools, and holds a Blue Ribbon School award....
.