When my wife and I moved to Dunwoody in 2010, I honestly didn't know much about it. She grew up nearby and already knew the reputation. I grew up in Gwinnett, and to me, this was Atlanta. But once we got here, it didn't really feel like Atlanta at all. If you're considering moving to Dunwoody GA, you'll find it's different.
It had these unexpected small-town vibes that are hard to find this close to the city. Big neighborhoods. Swim clubs. Kids riding bikes to the pool. A community built around neighborhoods instead of just subdivisions. Fifteen years later, after hosting 300+ episodes of the What's Up Dunwoody podcast, I've realized something: a lot of what makes Dunwoody special doesn't show up on Zillow.
Most Atlanta suburbs feel like they're changing every five minutes. Dunwoody knows exactly what it is, and is perfectly fine with that. It's one of the main reasons people move here and stay here. So if you're thinking about moving to Dunwoody GA, this is the guide I wish existed when we were making the decision ourselves.
Dunwoody is just north of I-285 in DeKalb County, about 15 miles from downtown Atlanta. The established neighborhood culture, swim and tennis clubs, and genuine small-town community feel are rare this close to a major city. Add quick access to two MARTA stations, I-285, GA-400, and I-85, and Dunwoody is one of the most well-rounded places to live in Metro Atlanta.
Table of Contents
What Makes Dunwoody Feel Different
I've watched a lot of Atlanta suburbs change dramatically since 2010. The Perimeter area has continued to grow, but Dunwoody's neighborhoods still feel remarkably similar to when we moved here.
That's part of what makes the city feel so stable. People move in and stay. The swim clubs have waiting lists. The neighborhood groups are active. Instead of feeling like one giant suburb, Dunwoody feels more like a collection of smaller neighborhood communities where people actually know each other.
One of my favorite things about Dunwoody is the contrast between the quiet residential neighborhoods and the bustling Perimeter business district. With the small-town feel of the neighborhoods, it's easy to forget that you're also five minutes away from major office towers, MARTA, Perimeter Mall, and one of the biggest business districts in Metro Atlanta. Perimeter Center brings in people from all over the North Metro area every day for work, shopping, and restaurants, giving Dunwoody an energy and convenience that feels much bigger than a typical suburb while the neighborhoods themselves still feel stable and residential. That balance is hard to replicate.
Dunwoody also has one of the lower city millage rates in DeKalb County, partially because of the commercial tax base from around the Perimeter. It incorporated as its own city in 2008 and today has its own police department, parks system, and city government. Roughly 51,000 people live here, which is almost the exact same as when we moved here in 2010.
If you're contemplating moving to Dunwoody GA, you've made a great choice that many families echo.
Where Is Dunwoody?
Dunwoody sits just north of I-285, which most Atlantans know as “the Perimeter.” That puts Dunwoody just outside the Perimeter, or what locals call OTP. It's at the very top of DeKalb County, positioned between GA-400 to the west and I-85 to the east, with easy access to both. Downtown Atlanta is about 15 miles south.
The city is part of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro area. If you're relocating from New York, Los Angeles, or Washington D.C., you're in good company. According to Redfin's 2025 migration data, those three metros are the top sources of inbound buyers searching in Dunwoody.
Home Prices and Real Estate
Dunwoody's housing market has stayed competitive. According to Redfin, the median sale price was $710,000 in March 2026, down slightly (2.1%) from the prior year. Zillow's Home Value Index put the average at $683,203 as of April 2026, up 2.1% over the same period. The difference reflects the metrics each platform uses, and both are worth referencing.
Homes are moving fast. Zillow shows a median of 14 days to pending. Redfin shows 16 days. About 28% of homes sold over asking price in March 2026, according to Zillow. Redfin gives Dunwoody a Compete Score of 82 out of 100, rating the market as “Very Competitive.”
Average rent in Dunwoody runs approximately $1,700 per month based on data from multiple sources as of early 2026. That's below the national average of $1,930. If you're renting while you search for a home, that's worth factoring into your budget.
The homeownership rate is 56.2%, according to Data USA's 2024 Census estimates. That's a meaningful majority of residents who own, which reflects the single-family neighborhood character of the city.
If you want to see what's currently on the market, you can browse all the homes for sale in Dunwoody at whatsupdunwoody.com/homes.
Cost of Living: How Dunwoody Compares
One of the best ways to understand Dunwoody is to compare it to the cities around it. Sandy Springs, Chamblee, Doraville, and Peachtree Corners all have very different personalities, growth patterns, and housing markets, and those differences help explain why Dunwoody feels the way it does.
| City | Median Household Income | Median Home Value | Homeownership Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunwoody | $121,903 | $602,900 | 56.2% |
| Sandy Springs | $104,340 | $619,800 | 50.2% |
| Peachtree Corners | $82,139 | $486,800 | 52.1% |
| Chamblee | $84,452 | $432,800 | 39.7% |
| Doraville | $67,235 | $331,900 | N/A |
Source: Data USA, U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates, 2024.
Sandy Springs wraps around much of the west side of Dunwoody, which is one reason the two cities are constantly compared. It's probably the closest comparison in both home values and location, though many parts of Sandy Springs feel more urban and densely developed. Its slightly lower homeownership rate reflects the larger amount of apartment and mixed-use growth throughout the city.
Peachtree Corners feels newer and a little more spread out than Dunwoody, with more of a Gwinnett suburban feel overall. Home values are lower than Dunwoody's, but the relatively high homeownership rate still gives the city a stable residential feel.
Chamblee has changed dramatically over the past decade with apartment growth, mixed-use development, breweries, and a younger renter-heavy population. The much lower homeownership rate reflects that shift. It's become one of the trendier and faster-growing areas around Dunwoody, but it feels very different from Dunwoody's more established neighborhood culture.
Doraville feels more industrial and diverse than the other cities on this list, with lower home values and household income levels than Dunwoody. Buford Highway and the international food scene are major parts of its identity, while its location along the Peachtree Industrial corridor gives it a lot of long-term redevelopment potential.
Schools and Education
Dunwoody is served by the DeKalb County School District, and Niche.com gives the Dunwoody public school system an overall grade of B in its 2026 rankings, which is significantly higher than many other parts of DeKalb County.
Dunwoody also has a strong private school presence nearby, and many families consider both public and private options when deciding where to live. That flexibility is part of what draws a lot of families to the area.
I've put together a full guide to Dunwoody schools with more detail on clusters, school names, public and private options, and what to look for when you're evaluating fit. Read the Dunwoody Schools Guide.
Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Dunwoody has put significant effort into its parks system since becoming a city in 2008. Brook Run Park is the centerpiece: roughly 110 acres with turf baseball and soccer fields, an amphitheater, disc golf course, playgrounds, a dog park, community gardens, and regular programming throughout the year.
Dunwoody has also continued expanding its trail and sidewalk connections through its trails master plan. Because the city is already largely built out and not especially walkable, officials have had to be intentional about better connecting neighborhoods, parks, and commercial areas. You can definitely see that effort throughout the city.
I've written a full guide to Dunwoody parks that covers the individual parks, trail system, and what each one is best known for. Read the Dunwoody Parks Guide.
Restaurants and the Food Scene
Dunwoody has become well-known around Metro Atlanta for its restaurant scene, with restaurant pockets spread throughout the city around Perimeter, Dunwoody Village, Georgetown, and Ashford Lane. There are strong options for date nights, quick weeknight dinners, coffee shops, breweries, and more.
I also run the Dunwoody Area Restaurant Reviews Facebook group, so local restaurants are something I spend a lot of time covering between the podcast, social media, and website.
I've written a massive guide to Dunwoody restaurants that goes much deeper into the food scene, restaurant areas, and local favorites around the city. Read the Dunwoody Restaurant Guide.
Commuting and Walkability
One of the biggest advantages of living in Dunwoody is how connected it is to the rest of Atlanta. No matter where you work — Buckhead, Midtown, Perimeter, Sandy Springs, Gwinnett, or even Downtown — you're usually just a few minutes from the major highways. Being so close to I-285, GA-400, and I-85 makes commuting easier than it is from a lot of other suburbs around Atlanta.
A lot of people relocate to Dunwoody because they work in the Perimeter Center area. For those residents, the commute is almost nothing, which is a big advantage compared to suburbs further north along GA-400 or I-85.
For transit, Dunwoody basically has two MARTA stations. Dunwoody Station sits inside city limits on Perimeter Center Parkway, while Medical Center Station is just a stone's throw into Sandy Springs. Both connect directly to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the rest of Atlanta.
Even with Atlanta traffic, the average commute time for a Dunwoody resident is only 24.9 minutes, according to Data USA's 2024 Census estimates, slightly shorter than the national average.
On walkability: Dunwoody's Walk Score is 33 out of 100, which Redfin classifies as car-dependent. That's not unusual for North Atlanta suburbs, and most people are not moving to this part of Metro Atlanta for walkability. A car is still a necessity for most daily errands. That said, Georgetown Square and Dunwoody Village are two of the more walkable pockets in the city, especially for nearby neighborhoods. Since incorporation, Dunwoody has also invested heavily in sidewalks, trails, and connectivity improvements throughout the city.
Shopping and Groceries
Folks come from all over Atlanta and North Georgia to visit Perimeter Mall. It's the largest shopping destination in the area and the second-largest mall in Georgia. The mall and surrounding Perimeter area are absolutely thriving, surrounded by office towers, hotels, restaurants, and one of the biggest business districts in Metro Atlanta.
There are also smaller retail and grocery pockets spread throughout the city, including around Georgetown, the Jett Ferry/Mount Vernon area, Winters Chapel, and Dunwoody Village. Most neighborhoods are within a very short drive of at least one of those areas.
Community and Events
There's almost always something happening in Dunwoody, but the two biggest events every year are probably the Dunwoody 4th of July Parade and Lemonade Days at Brook Run Park. I may be biased as one of the co-chairs of the parade, but I honestly think the Fourth of July Parade is the best event in the city. Lemonade Days is probably a close second and is my kids' favorite event every year.
Light Up Dunwoody at Donaldson-Bannister Farm and the Farmers Market at Brook Run Park are also put on by the Dunwoody Homeowners Association. Other annual events like the Dunwoody Arts Festival continue adding to the city's active community feel year-round.
For current event listings, check out the Discover Dunwoody calendar at whatsupdunwoody.com/events. I also run the Dunwoody Area Community Forum on Facebook, which is the largest local community group in the area. And if you want to stay plugged in on local news and community stories week to week, my What's Up Dunwoody podcast goes deep covering the yearly events.
Dunwoody by the Numbers
- Population: 51,758
- Median age: 37
- Median household income: $121,903
- Median property value: $602,900
- Homeownership rate: 56.2%
- Average commute time: 24.9 minutes
- Residents with a bachelor's degree: 40%
- Residents with a master's degree or higher: 32%
- Foreign-born residents: 22.4%
- Poverty rate: 6.08%
Source: Data USA, U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates, 2024.
Pros and Cons of Living in Dunwoody
Pros:
- Close to the I-285/I-85 and I-285/GA-400 interchanges with strong regional access
- Two MARTA rail stations within or adjacent to city limits
- Established single-family neighborhoods with mature trees and larger lots
- Strong neighborhood culture centered around pools and schools
- Stable population and residential footprint
- Lower city millage rate than many nearby cities in DeKalb County
- Active city government with its own police department and parks system
- Growing restaurant scene and strong parks and trail network
- Shorter-than-average commute times for many residents
Cons:
- Home prices are higher than many nearby suburbs
- Car-dependent for most daily errands
- Peak-hour traffic around the Perimeter can get heavy
- Limited new construction inventory
- Some families spend significant time researching school fit
If you're ready to start looking, you can browse all the current homes for sale in Dunwoody at whatsupdunwoody.com/homes.
Ready to Talk Dunwoody Real Estate?
I've lived in Dunwoody since 2010. Between the podcast and the time I spend actually in this community, I can help you figure out not just the right house, but the right part of Dunwoody for your lifestyle. That's a different conversation than what you'll get from a market report, and it's the one most people say they wish they'd had earlier in their search.
Text me or call 404-502-8683. No pressure, just a real conversation.
Schedule a call at whatsupdunwoody.com/call
Frequently Asked Questions About Dunwoody
Is Dunwoody part of Atlanta?
Dunwoody is its own city, not part of the City of Atlanta. It incorporated on December 1, 2008 and has its own mayor, city council, parks, and police department. Many Dunwoody addresses say “Atlanta, GA” because of ZIP code assignments, but the city government is entirely separate from Atlanta's.
What county is Dunwoody in?
Dunwoody is in DeKalb County, Georgia. It is squeezed between Fulton County (Sandy Springs) on the west and Gwinnett County (Peachtree Corners) on the east. Dunwoody falls entirely within DeKalb.
Does Dunwoody have MARTA access?
Yes. Dunwoody Station on the MARTA Red and Gold lines is inside city limits on Perimeter Center Parkway. Medical Center Station is basically in Dunwoody, just across the Sandy Springs city line and is used by many Dunwoody residents as well. Both stations connect directly to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and to Downtown and Midtown Atlanta.
How far is Dunwoody from downtown Atlanta?
Dunwoody is about 15 miles north of Downtown Atlanta depending on your exact starting point. Drive time varies significantly with traffic. Via MARTA, Dunwoody Station to Five Points in Downtown Atlanta takes approximately 30 to 35 minutes.
What is the difference between Dunwoody and Sandy Springs?
They are two separate cities sharing a border. Sandy Springs is in Fulton County; Dunwoody is in DeKalb County. That means different school districts, tax structures, and city services. However, they are sometimes grouped together because of the Perimeter area. Perimeter Mall is in Dunwoody, but High Street is literally across the street in Sandy Springs. Because of the good work the PCID does, the whole Perimeter area feels very cohesive and you may not even realize you're crossing cities/counties.
What are home prices like in Dunwoody right now?
According to Zillow, the average home value in Dunwoody was approximately $683,000 as of April 2026, up 2.1% over the prior year. Redfin's median sale price was $710,000 in March 2026. The market is competitive — about 28% of homes sold over asking price, and homes are going to pending in about two weeks. You can see what's currently available at whatsupdunwoody.com/homes.
Is Dunwoody a good place to raise a family?
I may be biased, but I think Dunwoody is a great place to raise a family. A lot of families specifically choose Dunwoody for the neighborhood culture — swim and tennis clubs, school communities, and neighborhoods where kids grow up knowing each other. The city's park system, trail network, and active community calendar add to that family-friendly environment. It's one of the main reasons people move here and stay for decades.
What neighborhoods are in Dunwoody?
Dunwoody is made up of mostly established single-family neighborhoods built from the 1960s through the 1990s. Some of the larger and more well-known communities include Dunwoody Club Forest, Georgetown, Wynterhall, Windwood, Village Mill, and Village North. Many neighborhoods have their own swim and tennis clubs, which are central to the social culture of the city.
What is the commute like from Dunwoody to Buckhead or Midtown?
Buckhead is typically 15 to 20 minutes from most of Dunwoody without significant traffic, and Midtown is usually 20 to 30 minutes. Both routes use GA-400 or I-285 to connect, which is one of Dunwoody's biggest advantages — you're getting on a major highway almost immediately rather than threading through surface streets to reach the interstate.
What are the best restaurants in Dunwoody?
Dunwoody has a strong restaurant scene spread across several pockets including Perimeter Center, Dunwoody Village, Georgetown, and Ashford Lane. I've written a full guide to the best restaurants in Dunwoody that covers all of it. Read the Dunwoody Restaurant Guide.
How are the schools in Dunwoody?
Dunwoody is served by the DeKalb County School District. Niche.com gives Dunwoody public schools an overall grade of B in 2026, which is significantly higher than most of DeKalb County. However, many families also consider private school options nearby. I've put together a full Dunwoody schools guide that covers public clusters and some private options. Read the Dunwoody Schools Guide.
What is the property tax rate in Dunwoody?
Dunwoody has one of the lower city millage rates in DeKalb County, which is part of what makes it attractive relative to its home prices. Your total property tax bill will include DeKalb County, school district, and city millage rates combined. For the most current rates, the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner's office has the official figures.
Are there apartments in Dunwoody?
Most of Dunwoody’s apartment communities are concentrated along the southern side of the city near I-285. The largest apartment pocket is around the Perimeter area near Perimeter Mall, with another major cluster stretching from Georgetown to North Peachtree. There are also a handful of apartment communities on the southeastern side of Dunwoody near Winters Chapel and a few communities just south of Dunwoody Village. Most of the city’s housing stock is still made up of single-family homes. The city has generally limited large-scale apartment and mixed-use development since incorporation in 2008, which is a big reason why Dunwoody’s suburban neighborhood character has remained relatively consistent over the past 15 years.
How walkable is Dunwoody?
Dunwoody has a Walk Score of 33 out of 100, which Redfin classifies as car-dependent. That's typical for this part of Metro Atlanta — most North Atlanta suburbs are in the same range. Georgetown Square and Dunwoody Village are the most walkable pockets in the city. The city has invested in trails and sidewalk connections since 2008, but a car is still necessary for most daily errands.
What is there to do in Dunwoody on weekends?
There's always something going on. Brook Run Park has regular programming and events year-round. The Farmers Market at Brook Run runs seasonally. The Dunwoody 4th of July Parade, Lemonade Days, Light Up Dunwoody, and the Dunwoody Arts Festival are some of the biggest annual events. Perimeter Mall and the surrounding restaurant scene give you easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment throughout the year. Check whatsupdunwoody.com/events for what's coming up.
What airports are near Dunwoody?
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the primary airport for most Dunwoody residents, located about 30 miles south. You can reach it via MARTA from Dunwoody Station with no connection needed. For smaller regional travel, DeKalb Peachtree Airport (PDK) is just a few miles away in Chamblee and handles private and charter flights.
How does Dunwoody compare to Alpharetta or Johns Creek?
Alpharetta and Johns Creek are both newer suburban areas farther north along the GA-400 corridor and have seen significantly more recent growth and new construction than Dunwoody. Dunwoody’s advantage is location — you’re closer to downtown Atlanta, Buckhead, and the Perimeter business district, with MARTA access that neither Alpharetta nor Johns Creek has. The tradeoff is that Dunwoody has less new inventory and generally higher prices per square foot.
Is Dunwoody growing or changing?
The city’s residential footprint hasn’t changed dramatically since we moved here in 2010. You won’t find many brand-new neighborhoods, large apartment developments, or widespread teardown activity like you see in some nearby suburbs. Most of the change has come through renovations and updates to existing homes, along with continued growth around the Perimeter business district, parks, restaurants, and trails. Part of Dunwoody’s appeal is that it has largely stayed Dunwoody, with established neighborhoods that still feel consistent over time.
What is the history of Dunwoody as a city?
Dunwoody incorporated as an independent city on December 1, 2008, after a years-long community effort to establish its own city government rather than continuing under unincorporated DeKalb County. The movement was driven largely by residents who wanted more local control over services, development decisions, and public safety. Today Dunwoody has its own police department, parks system, and city council — and the city has maintained its community character in ways that were harder to control before incorporation.
Why do people love living in Dunwoody?
I’ve asked this question in different forms across 300+ episodes of the What’s Up Dunwoody podcast, and the answers are usually some version of the same thing: the people, the neighborhoods, and the fact that Dunwoody still feels like Dunwoody. There’s a stability here that’s hard to find this close to Atlanta, along with surprisingly short commutes to places like Buckhead, Midtown, Sandy Springs, and major job centers around Perimeter. Personally, my favorite part of living here is that you get both the neighborhood feel and quick access to everything around Perimeter. You can be in a quiet subdivision one minute and five to ten minutes later be at Perimeter Mall, major restaurants, MARTA, or one of the largest business and dining districts in Metro Atlanta.