Fairburn is a city in Fulton County, Georgia, United States, with a population of 16,483, according to the 2020 census. Though it has a rich history of its own, the city is now a closely linked suburb of Atlanta, which lies just 17 miles to the north.

Name

The community is named after Fairburn, in England.

History

Fairburn is located along a railroad line and was the county seat of Campbell County starting in 1871. It was chosen as county seat in a referendum in 1871 that was spurred by the original seat of Campbellton refusing to allow the Atlanta and West Point Railroad line through on account of the anticipated noise in the 1850s. The railroad instead passed through Fairburn. Campbellton then faded away as Fairburn grew. The government of Campbell County went bankrupt in 1931 during the Great Depression and, along with Milton County to the north, was absorbed into Fulton County when 1932 began. Fairburn's population was 305 in 1870, with 208 white and 97 black residents.

Geography

Fairburn is located along Interstate 85, which leads northeast 20 mi to downtown Atlanta and southwest 142 mi to Montgomery, Alabama. Georgia State Route 74 also runs through the city, leading south 13 mi to Peachtree City. Some areas in nearby Fayette County have a Fairburn mailing address. According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of 17.1 sqmi, of which 16.9 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi, or 1.24%, is water.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,483 people, 5,051 households, and 3,442 families residing in the city.

Education

Culture

Fairburn is home to the Georgia Renaissance Festival, in operation during the springtime. The city of Fairburn hosts the "Fairburn Festival" each fall, featuring a parade, local food and crafts vendors and musical performances.