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Top 10 Places to Buy Land in Georgia

Published: 09-05-24 Category: Buying

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If you're a commercial real estate (CRE) agent, broker, owner, or investor, identifying promising areas for land acquisition is crucial for success.

Georgia's diverse landscape and growing economy provide plenty of opportunities for commercial land investment.

Business Is Peachy Here

There are plenty of reasons why businesses are headed to Georgia. Over 30 Fortune 1000 companies have already set up headquarters in the Peach State, drawn by a business-friendly government and favorable tax structures.

Another reason Georgia appeals to businesses is its educated population. The current labor force of over 5 million is regularly supplemented with more workers arriving from out of state.

Colleges and universities within 250 miles of Atlanta graduate around 200,000 degreed staffers annually.

Here, we'll highlight the top 10 counties in Georgia that present attractive prospects for commercial land purchases.

The reasons for their inclusion vary; for example, some were chosen because of population characteristics, while others were chosen because of their location near major metro areas, seaports, competitively priced land, or the state's international airport.

#1 – Gwinnett County

Part of the Atlanta metropolitan area, Gwinnett County is about nine miles northeast of Atlanta city limits and is the second-most populous county in Georgia.

Interstate 85, which runs from Virginia to Alabama, provides residents with a 40-minute direct route to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

It's currently the busiest airport in the world, with over 104.6 million passengers traveling through it in 2023.

Businesses looking for diversity have discovered that Gwinnett is the most ethnically diverse county in the state. The 2020 Census found that no single ethnicity makes up more than one-third of the county's population.

#2 – Forsyth County

CRE investors shopping for high-end properties will want to consider Forsyth County, as it's been recognized as the 13th wealthiest county in the nation.

Its high median household income is ideal for upscale commercial developments.

Various employers have already settled here, including Koch Foods, Scientific Games International Inc., Walmart, Siemens Industry, Inc., and Tyson Foods, Inc.

In all, it's home to over 8,000 businesses.

#3 – Cherokee County

CRE owners and investors who enjoy the great outdoors will want to consider Cherokee County.

With the nickname “Where Metro Meets the Mountains,” Cherokee County is north of Atlanta, and its suburban and rural areas offer a variety of commercial opportunities.

Some of Cherokee County's biggest employers include:

#4 – Henry County

This county is south of Atlanta and is served by Interstate 75, which runs from southern Florida to northern Michigan. This makes it ideal for industrial investors who plan to build logistics and distribution centers.

CRE investors looking for cheaper commercial land than those in counties near Atlanta will find attractively priced land in this county. Rural wooded land is also available.

Commercial land prices in this county can be as low as $100,000 for a 2.75-acre unimproved lot adjacent to I-75. Other recent online listings offered 17.5 acres of land zoned Planned Development (PD) at $1.05 million, with permission to build medical offices or senior care facilities.

#5 – Columbia County

Investors who prefer to search for land outside the Atlanta metro area are drawn to Columbia County. It's just north of Augusta, Georgia's second-largest metro area, and residents can reach Atlanta via a 2-hour drive on I-20.

Investors in high-tech and cyber-business sectors are drawn here because of its neighbor, Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon), where the US Army Cyber Command Headquarters is located.

The county's business development authority is busy promoting its “Think Globally, Thrive Locally” mission by offering everything from tax incentives to expedited rezoning services, which is estimated to take only 45 to 60 days.

#6 – Chatham County

Chatham County is home to the city of Savannah, a major port city and tourist destination. The city's business development office operates its own zoning, building, and site development services, with staff trained to support investors in building commercial structures.

CRE investors looking at new opportunities in logistics and manufacturing should consider Chatham. The Port of Savannah is the nation's largest, fastest-growing container terminal and the third-busiest container gateway.

Land prices vary greatly, with online per-acre listing prices anywhere from $1 million for prime retail locations to just over $300,000 for undeveloped land.

#7 – Muscogee County

Next door to Alabama, Muscogee County is home to Columbus, one of the state's larger metro areas. City planners are busy with programs to revitalize the city's downtown, so investors will want to look into these incentives.

CRE investors may also be interested in building near Fort Moore (formerly Camp Benning), just south of Columbus. The Fort supports more than 120,000 active-duty military personnel, their families, reserves, and civilian staff.

The semiconductor industry is another incentive for commercial land purchases, especially since Micron and Absolics recently announced substantial investments and Synovus has already been established.

#8 – Houston County

Houston County is one of the fastest-growing communities in the state, and it's not difficult to see why.

Just 75 miles south of Atlanta International Airport, it's also home to the state's largest industrial complex at Robins Air Force Base, which translates into opportunities for aerospace and defense-related industries.

Other reasons to check it out: More than 3,000 acres are available for industrial development, and it's designated as an Entrepreneur-Friendly Community. It also boasts one of the lowest property tax rates in the region.

#9 – Lowndes County

Investors active in Florida will want to check out Lowndes County, which is adjacent to the state's south border. Strategically located on I-75, it's a growing logistics and distribution center due to its prime location.

Valdosta is home to Valdosta State University, a highly-rated theme park, and historic buildings.

It's also home to Moody Air Force Base, which means that investors planning to build multi-family properties may be interested in the area.

#10 – Glynn County

Glynn County offers reasonably priced land, which, combined with its growing port facilities, draws interest from CRE investors interested in warehouses, logistics, and storage.

Buyers looking for larger tracts of land may find what they're looking for, such as a 141-acre tract offered for under $1 million in Brunswick.

This town, initially a British settlement and tobacco farm in 1738, still retains its Victorian-era charm.