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INTRODUCTION
The Marietta community originated as early as 1824 with a cluster of early setters homes and established as a town in 1834. Early drivers of growth include the establishment of the Marietta based Western and Atlantic Railroad in the 1830’s and the Bell Bomber factory, U.S. Army and the Army Air Force in the 1940’s. Marietta is now the county seat for Cobb County, Georgia and one of the largest cities in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area with a resident population of about 62,000 and daytime population of more than 100,000.

LOCATION
Located 15 miles northwest of Atlanta and south of the North Georgia Mountains, Marietta comprises approximately 22 square miles of the Piedmont Plateau in Northeast Georgia. The area enjoys close proximity to Atlanta, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Birmingham Alabama.

CLIMATE
Marietta’s climate includes four distinct seasons with sunny days exceeding and rainy days around the national average. The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of approximately 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters are relatively short and mild with the most precipitation, on average, occurring in March.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION
Marietta’s growth has been nourished by its accessibility and connectivity to the Southeast region of the U.S. Transportation provides convenient access to destinations, both near and far. The city is served by Interstate Highways 75 and 285 as well as Georgia Highways 120, 360 and 5. The CSX railroad goes through Marietta providing businesses with access to 21,000 miles of track, 70 ports and the largest intermodal network in the U.S., and nationwide transloading and distribution services.  Ongoing efforts to establish a rail passenger service will benefit Marietta residents and business and complement the existing commuter transportation provided by the Cobb County Transit Authority.

AIR TRANSPORTATION
Air transportation is available a short distance from Marietta in Cobb County and via the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport located just 30 minutes from the city center. Cobb County Airport - McCollum Field is a major general aviation reliever airport for Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and offers first class service to both business and pleasure aircraft through its two full-service fixed base operators. McCollum Field has the longest general aviation runway in the Metro Atlanta area at 6,305' long, recently reconstructed with concrete. A full ILS and new High Intensity Runway Lights will assist the pilot in locating the runway in marginal weather conditions.  To view the Cobb County airport layout, click here.

UTILITIES
The City of Marietta created its own community owned utilities in 1906 to provide low cost electric power, water and sanitary sewer service to the citizens of Marietta and Cobb County. Marietta Power and Marietta Water are operated under the Marietta Board of Lights and Water (BLW) which is governed by a board comprised of city and county citizens governs, ensuring that all utility customers are represented and the economic benefits of the utility are retained by the community.

As one of the largest municipal electric utilities in Georgia, Marietta Power serves over 45,000 electric customers. Marietta Power pledges to provide high-quality, reliable and competitive services to customers and a fair return to the citizens of Marietta. Marietta Water provides water and sanitary sewer service for over 17,000 customers within its service boundary. Marietta Water strives to provide quality water and sewer service by distributing safe drinking water and protecting the environment during the wastewater collection process.

DEMOGRAPHICS
According to 2008 Claritas estimates, Marietta’s population is 61,829 and projected to grow to 64,478 by 2013. Claritas projects growth in families, 3.4 percent, to outpace total household growth, 3.1 percent through 2013. There are an estimated 2,433 residents living in group quarters, such as assisted living facilities, while the remainder of the population occupies the city’s housing units estimated at 26,633 in 2008. Read more

HOUSING
The City of Marietta offers a wide range of housing for its residents. From historic homes to newly completed condominiums, Marietta has housing to meet demand. Estimated in 2008, approximately 60 percent of occupied housing units where rental and 40 percent owner occupied. The 2008 Estimated median value of owner occupied housing units is $210,626. Read more

BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT
The City of Marietta is a major business and employment center in Cobb County. According to 2008 Workplace, Business and Employment estimates from Claritas, more than 6,000 businesses operate in the City limits employing more than 115,000 persons. Read more

CONSUMER BUYING POWER
Claritas estimates 2008 aggregate consumer buying power for the city of Marietta as $1,139,387,411, of which $687,122,707 is spent at retail stores. Read more

EDUCATION
The City of Marietta offers its residents the opportunity to enroll their children in the Marietta City School System. The school system educates approximately 900 students each year independent from the county school system. The City is also home to a variety of private schools including the highly prestigious Walker School and Mt. Paran as well as a charter elementary school. Institutions of higher education include state universities and private colleges. Other Metro Atlanta universities are easily accessible from Marietta including Kennesaw State University. Read more

GOVERNMENT
The City of Marietta operates with a Mayor/Council-City Manager form of government. The City is divided into seven wards, with a city councilmember elected from each. The Mayor is elected at large. Official policy is set by this elected body who serve four-year concurrent terms. The City Manager, a professional staff and 750 dedicated employees direct day-to-day operations. Read more