Written by the Budget Moving Services relocation team in Lawrenceville, GA. Licensed and insured: USDOT #3438801, GA License #0580213978. Updated October 2026 with the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

Moving to Clarkston, GA brings you to a city that packs the whole world into about one square mile. Clarkston has been called the “Ellis Island of the South” and the most diverse square mile in America, thanks to decades of refugee resettlement that brought families from dozens of countries. About 14,400 people live here, just east of Decatur and I-285.

Most Clarkston moves we handle are apartment moves, often for larger households, so this guide focuses on the practical side. It combines U.S. Census Bureau data, City of Clarkston history, and our moving-day experience to help you decide whether living in Clarkston is right for you.

Where Is Clarkston, GA?

Clarkston sits in central DeKalb County, just east of I-285 and a few miles east of Decatur. Tucker lies to the north, Stone Mountain to the east, and Avondale Estates and Decatur to the southwest. US 78 (Stone Mountain Freeway) passes to the north, and East Ponce de Leon Avenue and Church Street are the main local roads.

The city’s compact size is a big part of its character: you can walk across Clarkston, GA in well under an hour. Our DeKalb County guide shows how it fits alongside larger neighbors, and our Decatur movers page covers the city just to the west.

A Short History of Clarkston, Georgia

Clarkston grew up around the Georgia Railroad, which by 1845 connected the towns east of Atlanta. The stop was first called New Siding, and on December 12, 1882, it was officially named Clarkston in honor of Colonel W.W. Clark, a director of the railroad. Easy train service made it one of the South’s early commuter suburbs.

In the early 1900s, so many residents kept goats that the town picked up the nicknames Goatsville and Angora Heights. That legacy lives on: Clarkston High School’s mascot is still the Angora Goat. The Clarkston Woman’s Club building dates to 1913, and Milam Park, opened in August 1927, was DeKalb County’s first public park and playground.

Beginning in the 1990s, resettlement agencies identified Clarkston as a good fit for refugee families because of its affordable apartments and transit access. The city now describes its residents as coming from more than 50 countries across six continents, and Census data show that 36.6% of residents were born outside the U.S.

Is Clarkston, GA a Good Place to Live? Pros and Cons

Clarkston, GA is a welcoming, walkable, and affordable place for many renters, especially people who value cultural diversity. Here is the balanced picture.

Pros of living in Clarkston

• Affordable rent. The median gross rent of $1,422 is the lowest of the DeKalb cities in our guides and well below the county median of $1,692.
• Global community. Restaurants, markets, places of worship, and neighbors from around the world.
• Compact and walkable. Schools, parks, shops, and city hall are close together.
• Central location. I-285, US 78, Decatur, and Emory are a short drive away.
• College access. Georgia State University’s Perimeter College has a campus just south of the city.

Cons of living in Clarkston

• Limited homes for sale. Only about 18% of homes are owner-occupied, so buying options are scarce.
• Older apartment stock. Many complexes are decades old, so inspect units carefully before signing.
• Lower incomes. The median household income is $48,564, and some residents face real financial pressure.
• No rail station in town. The nearest MARTA trains are at Kensington and Indian Creek.

Clarkston Housing: Apartments, Homes, and Rentals

The Census Bureau counts about 4,900 housing units and 3,950 households in Clarkston. With an average of 3.68 people per home and 38% of residents under 18, households here are larger and younger than in most of metro Atlanta. The median age is just 27.

Apartment communities

Garden-style apartment complexes make up a large share of Clarkston’s housing. Most are two or three stories with exterior stairs and no elevators. Our apartment movers plan for stair carries and tight breezeways, and our guide to apartment moves with stairs explains how to prepare.

Single-family homes

Older single-family homes, some dating to the early 1900s, sit on the streets around downtown and Milam Park. The median home value is $302,600, below the county median, but few homes come up for sale each year. Buyers should be ready to move quickly and to budget for updates.

Inside vs. outside city limits

ZIP code 30021 extends beyond Clarkston’s roughly one square mile. An address that says Clarkston may be in unincorporated DeKalb County, which affects taxes, city services, and sometimes school zoning. Confirm the jurisdiction before you sign a lease or contract.

Cost of Living in Clarkston vs. Nearby DeKalb Cities

Clarkston has the lowest median rent of the DeKalb cities we cover, which is the main reason the cost of living in Clarkston stays manageable for many families. Because homeownership is rare, the median home value describes a small number of houses.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts and American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024); population figures are July 2025 estimates. *Lithonia is too small for QuickFacts, so its population is the 2020 Census count and the other figures come from the ACS, where margins of error are very wide.

Larger households can stretch a budget in other ways, too: utilities, groceries, and transportation add up. When comparing apartments, ask what is included in rent, such as water, trash, or pest control.

Clarkston, GA Schools and Education

Clarkston is served by the DeKalb County School District. Clarkston High School serves students from more than 50 countries. Elementary students attend schools such as Jolly, Idlewood, and Indian Creek, and middle schoolers attend Freedom or Tucker Middle School depending on their address.

For adult learners, Georgia State University Perimeter College has a campus just south of the city limits, offering associate degrees and a path to a four-year degree. Community organizations in Clarkston also offer English classes, tutoring, and job training.

Getting Around Clarkston: Roads and MARTA

• I-285: just west of the city for Decatur, Tucker, the airport, and Perimeter Center
• US 78 (Stone Mountain Freeway): to the north for Stone Mountain and Snellville
• East Ponce de Leon Avenue: west toward Avondale Estates and Decatur
• MARTA: bus routes run through Clarkston, and Kensington and Indian Creek stations on the Blue Line are a short ride away

The average commute is 31.2 minutes. Many residents rely on transit, carpools, or walking, so living close to a bus line can matter as much as the apartment itself.

If you drive, plan around I-285 at rush hour, when the stretch between US 78 and I-20 is often slow. Leaving a little earlier, or using East Ponce de Leon Avenue for trips to Decatur, can save time on the daily commute.

Parks, Food, and Community Life

• Milam Park: DeKalb County’s first public park and playground, opened in 1927
• International restaurants and markets: Ethiopian, Nepali, Burmese, and many other cuisines within a few blocks
• Community events: cultural festivals, markets, and volunteer opportunities through the year
• Nearby outdoors: Stone Mountain Park and the Stone Mountain Trail are a short drive east
• Decatur Square: restaurants, shops, and events a few miles west; see our Decatur flat-rate movers

Clarkston, Georgia often feels like a small town with a global population. Newcomers can find help through local nonprofits, faith communities, and resettlement agencies.

Renting in Clarkston, GA: Tips Before You Sign

Since most people living in Clarkston rent, a few lease details make a big difference on moving day and after:

• Tour the actual unit. Check water pressure, windows, appliances, and signs of leaks or pests, not just the model apartment.
• Ask what rent includes. Some complexes bundle water, sewer, and trash; others bill them separately each month.
• Confirm occupancy limits. Larger households should make sure the bedroom count meets the lease’s occupancy rules.
• Get move rules in writing. Ask about allowed move hours, truck parking, and whether a deposit is required to reserve a move time.
• Document move-in condition. Take photos of every room on day one so your deposit is protected when you move out.

Setting Up Utilities and Services

Line up services one to two weeks before you arrive. Water and sewer in most of the area are provided through DeKalb County Watershed Management, though many apartment communities bill tenants directly. Georgia Power supplies most homes, and natural gas is purchased through a state-certified marketer. Internet installation slots fill up at the start of each month, so schedule early.

If you are new to Clarkston, Georgia from another state or country, add a Georgia ID or driver’s license, vehicle registration, and school enrollment to your first-month list. Local nonprofits and the city’s community resources can help newcomers find English classes, job programs, and other support.

What Our Clarkston Movers See on Moving Day

Clarkston moves have their own rhythm. Our Clarkston movers plan for:

• Stairs, not elevators. Most apartments are walk-ups, so each piece of furniture is carried up or down exterior stairs.
• Large households. More bedrooms and more belongings than an average apartment; a complete inventory keeps your estimate accurate.
• Parking lots. Complex lots can be crowded, so ask the office where a truck may park.
• Move-out inspections. Leave time to clean and walk through with your property manager to protect your deposit.
• Budget-friendly options. If you are moving yourself, our moving labor and U-Haul loading help services let you pay only for loading and unloading.

How Much Does Moving to Clarkston, GA Cost?

Local Clarkston moves are usually billed by the hour for the crew and truck, while long-distance moves are priced by weight or volume and distance. Your total depends on:

• How many rooms and how much furniture you are moving
• Stairs and the distance from the truck to your door
• Packing services and materials
• Bulky items such as bunk beds, large sofas, or appliances
• Drive time between your old and new addresses

For a quick range, try our moving cost calculator and review our prices. Our hourly vs. flat-rate guide explains which billing model saves more for an apartment move, and our list of free or cheap moving boxes helps keep packing costs down.

Moving Services for Clarkston Residents

Budget Moving Services is a licensed and insured mover based in Lawrenceville, serving Clarkston, GA and all of DeKalb County. Options that work well here include:

• Apartment movers for walk-up communities
• Local moving and residential moving
• Small moves for studios and one-bedroom apartments
• Moving labor and POD loading
• Packing services and unpacking help
• Moving and storage between leases
• Single-item furniture moves and Facebook Marketplace delivery
• Same-day movers when timing is tight

Your Clarkston, GA Moving Checklist

1. Confirm whether your new address is inside Clarkston city limits.
2. Ask your new complex about move-in hours, parking, and required paperwork.
3. Schedule your move-out inspection at your old apartment.
4. Check school zoning by exact address and gather enrollment documents.
5. Get a written estimate and read our guide to avoiding moving scams.
6. Pack in order with our packing guide.
7. Set up power, gas, and internet, and confirm which utilities your rent includes.
8. Update your ID and vehicle registration with Georgia DDS if you are new to Georgia.

Nearby Cities to Compare

People moving to Clarkston, GA often compare Tucker for single-family homes, Stone Mountain for lower purchase prices, Doraville for another international community on MARTA, and Decatur for a walkable downtown.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Clarkston

Related Moving Guides

• Moving to DeKalb County, GA: the complete county guide
• Moving to Tucker, GA
• Moving to Stone Mountain, GA
• Moving to Chamblee, GA
• Moving to Doraville, GA
• Moving to Lithonia, GA
• Decatur movers
• Moving to metro Atlanta guide

Sources

• U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Clarkston city, Georgia
• City of Clarkston: History
• DeKalb County School District
• Georgia State University Perimeter College
• MARTA: routes and schedules

Atlanta | Budget Moving Services

Local Moving and Storage Company Owner since 2010 in Metro-Atlanta and Gwinnet County for Residential, Commercial, and Specialty Moves such as Senior Moving, Military Moving Services, and more. The agents at Budget Moving and I also work as Real Estate Agents in Atlanta, Florida, and North Carolina. We also work with agents in various industries relating to Real Estate Property Development for Residential and Commercial Properties, Moving and Storage, and Logistics in order to understand and offer a stress-free full-service moving and storage service-based solution. Which is also why we specialize in residential, commercial, military, senior, and junk removal services and gather different POVs in multiple industries to provide our past, present, and future consumers with as much information as possible.Moving industry professional.

2 responses to “Moving to Clarkston, Georgia: A Complete Guide for New Residents”

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