Established in 2017, South Fulton is Atlanta’s twin city. It sprawls across nearly 100 square miles. It boasts over 100,000 residents and a budget exceeding $260 million. South Fulton is a city with a unique story. Its very existence speaks of self-determination. The city’s population is 93% African American. This makes it the Blackest city in America. This vibrant community has a median income higher than Atlanta or Chicago. It also boasts a 69% homeownership rate, one of the highest in the nation.
South Fulton wasn’t always a city. Its journey began in the early 2000s. Wealthy suburbs in North Fulton incorporated, believing their taxes were unfairly supporting South Fulton. This triggered a chain reaction. State Senator David Shafer introduced a constitutional amendment. This amendment mandated that taxes collected within city limits be spent within those limits. Atlanta attempted to annex unincorporated areas of Fulton County, including South Fulton. Surrounding cities like Union City, College Park, and Fairburn followed suit.
For over a decade, South Fulton residents resisted cityhood. They preferred to remain part of Fulton County. However, the constant annexations by neighboring cities shrank South Fulton’s tax base. This made it increasingly difficult to fund essential services. The final straw came when Atlanta, embroiled in a school cheating scandal, tried to annex more South Fulton neighborhoods and schools. Residents decided they’d had enough.
On November 8, 2016, they voted to become the City of South Fulton. The vote passed with a 59% majority. The driving force was self-determination. Residents wanted control over their own boundaries, budget, and resources. This desire is embodied in the proposed city motto, “Kujichagulia,” the Swahili word for self-determination.
South Fulton held its first city council elections on March 21, 2017. Over 72 candidates vied for eight seats, leading to a runoff election in April. The city council was sworn in on April 29, 2017. At midnight on May 1, 2017, South Fulton officially became Georgia’s largest new city. The new council immediately began establishing essential city departments. This included police, fire, parks, planning and zoning, and public works. They also hired a city manager. A consulting firm was brought in to help select a new city name. Though the council voted for “Renaissance”, the mayor’s veto kept the name South Fulton.
South Fulton’s journey is a testament to community empowerment. It showcases the power of residents to shape their own destiny. It’s a story of overcoming challenges and achieving self-governance. As you stand here, you stand in a city built on self-determination. It is a city brimming with potential. It is a city proud of its heritage. This is South Fulton. A city Black. On Purpose.