Night view of an urban street with modern apartments, lit trees, parked cars, and outdoor dining on the right.

Life in Brookhaven, GA

Brookhaven, GA, is one of the most sought-after cities in the northeastern suburbs of Atlanta, located in western DeKalb County. Officially incorporated in 2012, Brookhaven has rapidly grown into a vibrant, family-friendly city known for its historic charm, diverse neighborhoods, and urban lifestyle. With a population of over 56,000 residents, Brookhaven is now the second-largest city in DeKalb County, following Stonecrest.

Brookhaven Neighborhoods & Communities

Brookhaven is made up of several unique neighborhoods, each with its own personality, charm, and appeal. Whether you're looking for historic homes, a walkable urban center, or access to parks and top-rated schools, Brookhaven has it all.

Historic Brookhaven

This prestigious neighborhood features classic Southern homes built around the Capital City Country Club. With designs from renowned Atlanta architects, Historic Brookhaven offers elegance, established charm, and close proximity to both Peachtree Road and Buckhead.

Brookhaven Village

Located along Dresden Drive near the Brookhaven MARTA Station, Brookhaven Village is a thriving urban hub. It features mixed-use developments like Village Place and Village Park Place with restaurants, boutiques, offices, and luxury apartments. It's bordered by Ashford Park, Drew Valley, and Brookhaven Fields—all walkable, family-oriented neighborhoods.

Lynwood Park

Once a historically African-American neighborhood, Lynwood Park has experienced a revival with the construction of beautiful craftsman-style homes. The neighborhood also boasts a large namesake park with basketball courts, tennis courts, a swimming pool, playground, and recreation center.

Peachtree Road Corridor

Peachtree Road is Brookhaven's main commercial artery, connecting it to Buckhead and Chamblee. The corridor features Town Brookhaven, a 600,000-square-foot mixed-use development with popular restaurants, retail stores, fitness centers, and offices. It's also home to Oglethorpe University.

North Brookhaven

Bounded by I-285 and Windsor Parkway, North Brookhaven offers family-friendly suburban living with top public and private schools like Marist School and Montgomery Elementary. Residents enjoy access to Blackburn Park, Murphey Candler Park, and two lakes—Silver Lake and Murphey Candler Lake—as well as shopping and dining at the intersection of Ashford Dunwoody and Johnson Ferry Roads.

Buford Highway Corridor

Brookhaven's southern border is defined by the Buford Highway corridor, an area rich in international culture. Known for its diverse population and ethnic cuisine, Buford Highway features restaurants and businesses representing Hispanic, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese cultures. It's a culinary hotspot and a reflection of Atlanta's multicultural growth.

Lenox Park

This neighborhood includes residential homes and office buildings just east of Atlanta's northern border. It offers convenient access to Buckhead while maintaining a more peaceful suburban feel.

LaVista Park

Annexed into Brookhaven in 2019, LaVista Park added nearly 2,000 residents to the city. The neighborhood offers established homes and a strong sense of community in one of the largest annexations in Georgia history.

Large luxury stone and brick mansion in Brookhaven with landscaped front yard

Brookhaven is a Diverse Community

Brookhaven has a population of approximately 59,574 residents. The city has grown steadily due to its location, quality of life, and housing options.

Brookhaven Demographics:

  • Median Age: 35.4
  • Average Family Size: 2.27
  • Education: 71.8% with a Bachelor's degree or higher
  • Median Household Income: $167,266
  • Race Ethnicity:
    • White: 58.9%
    • Hispanic or Latino: 21%
    • Black: 12.4%
    • Asian: 7.7%
    • Other: 10%
Crowded outdoor market with white tents, people walking, and colorful signs in Brookhaven GA
Compact white and black security camera with a green indicator light on a stand, shown on a blue background

For a limited time

New customers receive a a FREE HD camera!

Why Live in Brookhaven, GA?

Brookhaven offers the perfect balance between urban accessibility and suburban comfort. Here's why people are moving here:

Convenient Location: Located just northeast of Atlanta, Brookhaven offers easy access to major highways (like I-85 and GA 400) and public transit via the MARTA Brookhaven/Oglethorpe station.

Beautiful Neighborhoods: From the elegant homes of Historic Brookhaven to the vibrant town center of Brookhaven Village and the family-friendly areas of North Brookhaven, there's a place for every lifestyle.

Top-Rated Schools: The city is home to excellent public and private schools, including Montgomery Elementary and Marist School.

Parks & Green Spaces: Residents enjoy access to several large parks like Murphey Candler Park, Blackburn Park, and Lynwood Park, offering walking trails, sports fields, playgrounds, and lakes.

Diverse Dining & Shopping: With local gems and international cuisines, especially along Buford Highway, Brookhaven is known for its vibrant food scene. Retail options are also plentiful, especially around Town Brookhaven, a major mixed-use development.

Schools and Zones

Brookhaven is served by the DeKalb County School District and offers a variety of educational options for families, from top-rated public schools to prestigious private institutions. The city is also home to Oglethorpe University, contributing to a rich educational environment.

Elementary Schools:

  • Ashford Park Elementary School
  • Montgomery Elementary School
  • Woodward Elementary School

Middle Schools

  • Sequoyah Middle School
  • Chamblee Middle School

High Schools:

  • Chamblee Charter High School
  • Cross Keys High School

Charter & Magnet Schools

  • Kittredge Magnet School for High Achievers - A top-ranked magnet program for gifted students.
  • DeKalb School of the Arts - A high-performing magnet school with a focus on arts and academics (nearby).

Private Schools

  • Marist School - A nationally recognized, Catholic, college-preparatory school (grades 7-12).
  • Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School - Serving pre-K through 8th grade.
  • St. Martin's Episcopal School - Episcopal-affiliated private school (preschool through 8th grade).
  • Atlanta Montessori International School - A Montessori program with a global perspective.

Higher Education

  • Oglethorpe University - A prestigious liberal arts college located in the heart of Brookhaven, offering undergraduate degrees and continuing education programs.

Daycare & After-School Care

  • Primrose School of Brookhaven
  • Oglethorpe Children's Academy
  • YMCA After-School Programs

Extracurricular Activities

  • Dance: Brookhaven Dance Academy
  • Swim: Dynamo Swim Center
  • Martial Arts: Tiger-Rock Martial Arts of Buckhead
  • Music & Art: Spruill Center for the Arts

Major Employers & Top Hiring Fields

  • Emory Healthcare (nearby)
  • Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
  • MARTA
  • Retail & hospitality positions at Town Brookhaven and Perimeter Center
  • Growing demand in tech, healthcare, education, and small business

Brookhaven is known for:

  • Vibrant annual events like the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival
  • Access to top medical facilities and private schools
  • Rapid revitalization and mixed-use development zones

Parks and Recreation

  • Murphey Candler Park (lake, sports, trails)
  • Blackburn Park (tennis, playgrounds, events)
  • Georgian Hills Park
  • Brookhaven Park (off-leash dog area)

Homeownership

  • Homeownership rate: 54%
  • Renting: 46%, primarily in apartment communities near Peachtree Road and Dresden Drive

Transportation

  • MARTA's Brookhaven/Oglethorpe Station (Gold Line)
  • Quick access to Peachtree Road, I-85, and GA-400
  • Easy access to Atlanta via MARTA and major roads

Brookhaven, GA is approximately 20 to 25 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, depending on your exact starting point in Brookhaven and the route taken.

Estimated Travel Time

By Car:

  • 25 to 40 minutes without heavy traffic
  • 45 minutes to over an hour during peak traffic hours (especially mornings and late afternoons on weekdays)

By Public Transit (MARTA)

Travel Time: About 45 to 60 minutes

Route:

  • Take the Gold Line MARTA train southbound from Brookhaven/Oglethorpe Station
  • Transfer at Five Points Station to the Red or Gold Line southbound to Airport Station (located inside the terminal)

Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

Grocery Stores

  • Publix, Kroger, Costco (nearby), Whole Foods
  • Local favorites: Brookhaven Farmers Market

Dining Scene

  • Haven Restaurant & Bar
  • Valenza (Italian)
  • Verde Taqueria
  • Kale Me Crazy
  • Southern Custard

Entertainment Options

  • Brookhaven Park & Dog Park
  • CineBistro at Town Brookhaven
  • Brookhaven Arts Festival
  • Oglethorpe University Museum of Art

Healthcare Services

Emergency Services

  • Police Department: Brookhaven Police Department (dedicated precincts and patrols)
  • Fire Services: DeKalb County Fire & Rescue
  • Hospitals: Emory St. Joseph's Hospital, Northside Hospital, CHOA at Scottish Rite
  • Urgent Care: Peachtree Immediate Care, Piedmont Urgent Care

Medical Providers

  • Primary Care: Piedmont Physicians, Emory Clinic
  • Pediatric Care: Northside Pediatrics, CHOA branches
  • Women's Health: Atlanta Women's Health Group

Religious Institutions

  • Brookhaven United Methodist Church
  • Congregation Or VeShalom
  • Brookhaven Christian Church
  • Masjid Al-Momineen
White church building with red double doors, a front porch, stairs, and a tower against clear blue sky.