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Dunwoody, Georgia

{{Infobox Settlement |official_name = Dunwoody, Georgia |other_name = |native_name = |nickname = |settlement_type = CDP, city as of December 2008 |motto = |image_skyline = |imagesize = |image_caption = |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = DeKalb_County_Georgia_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Dunwoody_Highlighted.svg |mapsize = 250px |map_caption = Location in DeKalb County and the state of Georgia |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map = |pushpin_label_position = |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize = |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Georgia |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = DeKalb |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |leader_title1 = |leader_name1 = |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = |established_date = |established_title2 = |established_date2 = |established_title3 = |established_date3 = |area_magnitude = |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = 31.4 |area_land_km2 = 31.3 |area_water_km2 = 0.1 |area_total_sq_mi = 12.1 |area_land_sq_mi = 12.1 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.04 |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |area_blank1_title = |area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_sq_mi = |population_as_of = 2000 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total = 32808 |population_density_km2 = 1044.8 |population_density_sq_mi = 2711.4 |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = |timezone = Eastern (EST) |utc_offset = -5 |timezone_DST = EDT |utc_offset_DST = -4 |latd = 33 |latm = 56 |lats = 34 |latNS = N |longd = 84 |longm = 19 |longs = 4 |longEW = W |elevation_footnotes = Dunwoody is generally considered to be the northern tip of DeKalb County, bounded by the Fulton County line on the north and west, Interstate 285 on the south, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard on the southeast, and Gwinnett County on the northeast. Officially, the CDP and future city limit extends only to the county line in the north; however, many residents of the narrow panhandle of Sandy Springs consider themselves a part of Dunwoody. Although Sandy Springs claimed its right to self-determination in its own political battle to incorporate, once Sandy Springs became a city in late 2005, it removed "Dunwoody" street sign toppers in the panhandle area. This narrow strip was originally part of DeKalb, but was then ceded to Milton County, which later merged into Fulton.

Perimeter Mall and approximately 40 percent of the Perimeter Community Improvement District , is a self-taxing district of shopping and office buildings (including several high-rises), are both located in Dunwoody. The western part of the Perimeter Center edge city spans the Fulton county line into Sandy Springs. (The two sides of the PCID are legally separate, but work as one organization.) The tallest building in Dunwoody is the 34-story Ravinia 3, at .

Perimeter Center is served by the Dunwoody train station on MARTA's north line, while the other two stations in the area are both on the Fulton side.

In 1998, a major tornado tore through parts of Dunwoody, running east-northeast from Perimeter Center and into Gwinnett. Thousands of homes were damaged, hundreds seriously, and several dozen were condemned. In addition, tens of thousands of native forest trees were downed. The vast majority of the tornado's damage occurred here, leading it to be called the "Dunwoody tornado", the most vivid in local memory until the 2008 Atlanta tornado.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 32,808 people, 13,746 households, and 8,976 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,715.7 people per square mile (1,048.6/km²). There were 14,599 housing units at an average density of 1,208.4/sq mi (466.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.02% White, 4.43% African American, 0.12% Native American, 7.78% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.34% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.61% of the population.

There were 13,746 households out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 19.6% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 33.9% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $82,838, and the median income for a family was $100,796. Males had a median income of $70,460 versus $42,813 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $43,523. About 1.5% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

Movement for incorporation

In early 2006, a study was conducted by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government of the University of Georgia, to determine how feasible it would be to incorporate Dunwoody as a city. Critics claim that incorporation of Dunwoody, as in the incorporation of Sandy Springs in 2005, would take away a great deal of tax revenue from the rest of the county, leading to shortages of services, tax increases, or both for everyone else in the county, as has happened in Fulton. Citizens for Dunwoody, Inc. is the non-profit advocacy group begun by Senator Dan Weber to promote the effort. The CVI study can be read on their website.

The bill for incorporation was withdrawn from the Georgia General Assembly in 2006 for further study, but was presented again in early 2007, where it passed only the lower house. In 2008, the bill of incorporation was re-introduced by Senator Weber, and due to increased pressure, passed in the senate as well as the house. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed the bill allowing the residents to vote for a city of Dunwoody on March 25, with a referendum set for July 15.

Nearby Tucker is also considering incorporation, as are other cities in DeKalb and Fulton counties. The Georgia Township Act was intended to create villages called "townships", with control over zoning and land use; however Dunwoody continued pushing for full cityhood, and as of 2008 session's end the state legislature has failed to pass the township bill.

Districts/Neighborhoods

Dunwoody Village

Also known as Downtown Dunwoody, and is the location of the iconic Dunwoody Farmhouse. This area was typically thought of when one mentioned Dunwoody, previous to incorporation. This happens to be the place where the "Williamsburg-style" architecture originated with the construction of Dunwoody Village shopping center in the 1970's. Since then, all other construction followed suit in this area, and an architectural overlay district has been set up since. The neighborhoods of Wyntercreek, Wynterhall, Fairfield, Redfield, Withmere, and Mill Glen are on the north side of the district and are newer subdivisions. The south side going toward Georgetown includes older Springfield, Holly Oak, and Cambridge. It also includes the numerous subdivisions along Womack and Vermack roads. The Dunwoody Library, Dunwoody High School, Dunwoody Nature Center, and the Fire Station are also considered part of Downtown.

Perimeter Center

Perimeter Center is the major edge city that has formed around Perimeter Mall. The mall was developed in 1971, with all the office, residential, and commercial development occuring since then. It is a major job center, employing thousands of people each day. It also could be considered the "business district" of Dunwoody. It is also where the Dunwoody (MARTA station) is located.

Georgetown

An older part of Dunwoody, Georgetown was developed in the late 1960's. It is located near I-285 and borders with unincorporated DeKalb County. It is also one of the reasons the incorporation movement was started, with many new apartments being approved by DeKalb County for the area, even in some single-family residential areas of the district. It contains the subdivisions of Georgetown, Chateau Woods, and North Springs. It is also home to a vacant elementary school that was previously Shallowford Elementary School. Dunwoody's second Kroger is located in the Georgetown retail district.

Williamsburg

This area is on the eastern edge of Dunwoody near Sandy Springs Panhandle. It is marked by All Saints Catholic Church, and its retail district includes a Blockbuster, a Kroger, and an Animal Hospital, to name a few. It includes the subdivisions of Kingsley, Brooke Farm and Cedar Chase.

Winters Chapel

A dated district on the Gwinnett County border, Winters Chapel is ripe for redevelopment. A discount grocery store, an abondoned hardware store and auto mart, a kindergarten, a farmers market, and a run down strip center ("Dunwoody Point")dominate the area, along with apartments home to a substantial minority population.

Tilly Mill

This area is home to the Dunwoody campus of Georgia Perimeter College. It is also the location of the Marcus Jewish Community Center, a synogogue, and a significant Jewish population.

Brook Run/North Peachtree/North Shallowford

This ambiguous area cannot be claimed by any of the aforementioned districts, and has yet to develop its own name and identity. Dunwoody North, Shendoah Estates, and Dunwoody Trails are all located in this area. Brook Run park and Windwood Hollow park are also both located in this area, as well as a strip center containing the Dunwoody Food Mart, a Rite-Aid, and a laundromat.