Berkeley Lake, Georgia

Berkeley Lake is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States. It is a northern suburb of Atlanta. From its 1956 origins as a summer retreat, Berkeley Lake has grown into a thriving community centered on its 88-acre (360,000 m2) namesake lake. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 2,054. It has been named a Tree City USA for 18 years.[4]

Berkeley Lake, Georgia
City
Berkeley Lake City Hall
Berkeley Lake City Hall
Location in Gwinnett County and the state of Georgia
Location in Gwinnett County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 33°58′50″N 84°11′02″W
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyGwinnett
Area
[1]
 • Total1.86 sq mi (4.81 km2)
 • Land1.75 sq mi (4.52 km2)
 • Water0.11 sq mi (0.28 km2)
Elevation
[2]
1,011 ft (308 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total2,054
 • Density1,175.73/sq mi (453.93/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code13-07248[3]
GNIS feature ID2403859[2]
Major airportATL
Websitewww.berkeley-lake.com

History

The majority of lands in the city limits (the 700-acre (2.8 km2) Berkeley Lake Properties) were 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 (310,000 m2)), was named after Mr. Coggins' Berkeley Blue Granite Quarries in Elberton. 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-acre (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 its 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.

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 (40,000 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 (250,000 m2) of undeveloped forest land. This property, which provides both buffer and greenspace, was acquired by the city in December 1996.

In 2009, the city received record-breaking rainfall and the Lake Berkeley Dam was damaged. The lake was subsequently drained and, with the help of FEMA, repaired. The Lake Berkeley Dam repairs were completed in 2013, and the lake returned to full pool in 2014.[5]

Geography

Berkeley Lake is in western Gwinnett County, bordered by Duluth to the east, Peachtree Corners to the south and west, and Johns Creek to the north. The northern boundary of the city follows the Chattahoochee River, which is also the Fulton County line. Peachtree Industrial Boulevard is the main road through the city. The community consists of several subdivisions around an 88-acre (360,000 m2) private lake.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2), of which 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km2), or 10.14%, is water.[6]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
196094—
1970219133.0%
1980503129.7%
199079157.3%
20001,695114.3%
20101,574−7.1%
20202,05430.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

2020 census
Berkeley Lake racial composition[8]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 1,538 74.88%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 106 5.16%
Native American 5 0.24%
Asian 230 11.2%
Other/Mixed 82 3.99%
Hispanic or Latino 93 4.53%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,054 people, 687 households, and 592 families residing in the city.

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 1,574 people, 472 households, and 474 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,312 inhabitants per square mile (507/km2). There were 606 housing units at an average density of 505 per square mile (195/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 75.5% White, 5.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 14.3% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.6% of the population.

There were 572 households, out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.7% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.1% were non-families. 13.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 18.7% from 25 to 44, 40.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

According to the 2015 American Community Survey, the median income for a household in the city was $118,571, and the median income for a family was $130,100. Males had a median income of $104,643 versus $65,417 for females. The per capita income for the city was $51,773. About 3.3% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Berkeley Lake residents are zoned to Duluth cluster schools in the Gwinnett County Public Schools system: Berkeley Lake Elementary, Duluth Middle, and Duluth High School.

Infrastructure
Berkeley Lake, 2007

Roads and expressways

A number of collector roads distribute traffic around both incorporated and unincorporated areas of the city.

Transit systems

Gwinnett County Transit serves the city.

Pedestrians and cycling

References
  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Berkeley Lake, Georgia
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "Berkeley Lake Received Tree City USA Distinction for 18th Year (City of Berkeley Lake_ GA)". Article.wn.com. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  5. "Lake Berkeley Dam Reconstruction Project". City of Berkeley Lake.
  6. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Berkeley Lake city, Georgia". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  9. Huppertz, Karen. "Bikeway and multi-use trail growing". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
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