Austell Real Estate

Austell, Georgia

Austell is located in southwestern Cobb County, about 18 miles west of downtown Atlanta and roughly four miles north of Interstate 20, putting the drive to downtown at around 20 to 25 minutes under typical traffic. From SRA Signature Realty's office in Tucker, reaching Austell means crossing the full width of the metro area, generally along I-20 or I-285, since the two communities sit on opposite sides of Atlanta. Austell is close to Powder Springs, Mableton, and Lithia Springs, and a small part of the city extends across the line into neighboring Douglas County. The city covers just under six square miles and is home to roughly 7,700 residents, giving it a smaller footprint than many of its neighboring Cobb County communities.

A Railroad Town Named for a Banker

Austell began in the 1880s as a small community originally known as Salt Springs, after property owner G.O. Mozeley subdivided land in the area. The town was incorporated in September 1885 and renamed for General Alfred Austell, an Atlanta banker who helped bring major railroads into the postwar South. The Georgia Pacific Railway made Austell an important stop, connecting routes toward Birmingham and Chattanooga, and the city remains an active rail junction. Industry followed the railroad, and the Coats and Clark Threadmill, built in 1894 by a Scottish textile company, employed generations of local workers until it closed in 1983. The mill building has since been restored into a mixed-use complex of offices and other space. Just north of the mill, the planned community of Clarkdale, developed in 1932 for mill employees, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Creeks, Parks, and Nearby Attractions

Sweetwater Creek runs directly through Austell on its way to the Chattahoochee River, and Sweetwater Creek State Park sits just outside the city near Lithia Springs. The park's roughly 15 miles of trails follow the creek past the stone ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill destroyed during the Civil War, and climb rocky bluffs above the creek's rapids. The park's 215 acre reservoir also offers kayaking, canoeing, and fishing for visitors who want time on the water. Within Austell, Collar Park and Legion Park serve as the city's main green spaces, and the South Cobb Recreation Center offers indoor gym and multipurpose space for residents. Six Flags Over Georgia carries an Austell mailing address, even though the park itself sits in unincorporated Cobb County a few miles away, and it remains one of the region's most visited attractions.

Everyday Life in Austell

Austell's commercial areas run along U.S. Route 78 and the South Cobb Drive corridor, mixing longtime local businesses with newer retail and dining options. Downtown's small commercial strip sits within walking distance of the historic rail depot, giving the area a compact, old-fashioned town center feel. The compact size of the city, at just under six square miles, keeps most errands and daily stops within a short drive of home. The rail line through downtown remains active, a visible reminder of the industry that built the town.

Homes in Austell

Housing in Austell includes modest, older homes near the historic mill village of Clarkdale, along with mid-century and newer subdivisions spread across the rest of the city. The overall character leans toward established, tree-lined residential streets, with a smaller scale feel that reflects the town's roots as a compact railroad and mill community rather than a large master-planned suburb. Many streets sit within a short walk or drive of Sweetwater Creek, giving several neighborhoods easy access to the greenspace that runs through the city.

• Tour the historic Clarkdale mill village


• Hike the trails at nearby Sweetwater Creek State Park


• Spend the day at Six Flags Over Georgia


• Visit Collar Park or Legion Park


• Walk or bike along Sweetwater Creek

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Austell in

Austell is mostly in Cobb County, though a small portion of the city extends into neighboring Douglas County.

How far is Austell from downtown Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta is about 18 miles from Austell, typically a 20 to 25 minute drive along U.S. 78 and Interstate 20.

Is Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell

Six Flags Over Georgia has an Austell mailing address, but the park itself is located in unincorporated Cobb County a few miles from the city.

What is Clarkdale

Clarkdale is a planned mill village built in 1932 next to the historic Coats and Clark Threadmill, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

What communities are near Austell

Austell is close to Powder Springs, Mableton, and Lithia Springs, and a small part of the city lies across the line in Douglas County.