North Metro Atlanta · Area guide

Living in Dunwoody, GA: A Local's Guide

I live in Dunwoody. This is the guide I wish someone had handed me: parks, getting around, events, schools lookup, property tax basics and the questions people ask most. Every fact links to its source.

Call or text (404) 999-1899 · dalia@daliazarhin.com

Quick overview

Cityhood

A young city

Dunwoody became a city on December 1, 2008. Before that, the area was unincorporated DeKalb County.

Source: City of Dunwoody

Location

North DeKalb County

Dunwoody sits in northern DeKalb County, east of Sandy Springs, with I-285 along its southern edge.

Source: Dunwoody 2025-2045 Comprehensive Plan

People

About 51,800 residents

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 51,792 people as of July 1, 2025 (51,683 in the 2020 Census). Many city addresses use ZIP code 30338; some use 30346 or 30360.

Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts · Dunwoody Parks addresses

Areas and housing types

Dunwoody's homes range from single-family houses on wooded lots to townhomes and condos and apartments, with the densest housing around Perimeter Center. The city's own comprehensive plan divides Dunwoody into "character areas." A few you will hear about:

  • Perimeter Center: the city's high-intensity, mixed-use center around Perimeter Mall and the MARTA stations, with offices, shops, restaurants, condos and apartments.
  • Dunwoody Village: the historic heart of the city. The plan's goal is a more walkable "downtown" with a town green, local shops and added housing.
  • Georgetown: planned as a walkable center with a mix of housing and shops.
  • Established neighborhoods: much of the rest of the city is single-family subdivisions, some with swim and tennis clubs or HOAs. Ask for the HOA documents on any home you consider.

Source: City of Dunwoody 2025-2045 Comprehensive Plan

Getting around

Rail

MARTA Red Line

Dunwoody Station sits at Hammond Drive and Perimeter Center Parkway, next to Perimeter Mall. The Red Line runs south through Sandy Springs and Buckhead to Midtown, Downtown and the airport.

Source: MARTA Dunwoody Station · MARTA Red Line

Highways

I-285 and GA-400

I-285 runs along Dunwoody's south edge, and GA-400 is close by to the west. Traffic at rush hour can change your day, so test your real commute at your real hours.

Source: Comprehensive Plan · GDOT 511GA live traffic

Parks and trails

110 acres

Brook Run Park

Dunwoody's largest park, at 4770 N. Peachtree Rd. It has a large playground, a loop multi-use trail, a skate park, disc golf, a dog park, a community garden, sports fields, an amphitheater and the Treetop Quest ropes course.

Source: City of Dunwoody: Brook Run Park

Nature

Dunwoody Park & Nature Center

At 5343 Roberts Dr., with forest trails, Wildcat Creek, a meadow, a playground and year-round nature programs. The Nature Center says it is free and open to the public.

Source: City of Dunwoody · Dunwoody Nature Center

History

Donaldson-Bannister Farm

A historic 1870s home on a 5-acre property at 4831 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., open year-round for picnics and strolls. Other city parks include Georgetown, Pernoshal, Two Bridges and Vernon Oaks.

Source: City of Dunwoody · Dunwoody Parks & Recreation

Things to do and local events

Spring festival

Lemonade Days

A five-day spring festival at Brook Run Park run by the Dunwoody Preservation Trust, with rides, food and live music. It began in 1999 as a relief effort after the 1998 tornado. In 2026 it ran April 22-26; check the Trust for next year's dates.

Source: City of Dunwoody event page · Dunwoody Preservation Trust

Saturdays

DHA Farmers Market

Run by the Dunwoody Homeowners Association at the front of Brook Run Park, Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon. The 2026 season runs through December 19.

Source: Dunwoody Homeowners Association · City of Dunwoody calendar

Shopping and dining

Perimeter Center

Perimeter Mall and the restaurants and shops around it are next to Dunwoody MARTA station. The city's visitor site lists events, restaurants and shops.

Source: MARTA Dunwoody Station · Discover Dunwoody

Schools

Public schools in Dunwoody are part of the DeKalb County School District. School assignment goes by the exact street address, not the ZIP code or city name, and zones can change. Before you fall in love with a home, look it up with the district's official tool:

DeKalb County School District: school locator

Private schools and other options are listed on the district's and the state's sites. For any school questions, please contact the school or district directly.

Property taxes and the homestead exemption

Dunwoody homeowners pay property taxes to DeKalb County, DeKalb schools and the City of Dunwoody, handled through the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner. A few basics:

  • Homestead exemption is not automatic. You must apply, and your closing attorney or lender cannot do it for you. You must own and live in the home as your legal residence on January 1.
  • Deadlines: the Tax Commissioner accepts applications in person year-round; for the current tax year, online filing runs January 1 to mid-July. Late applications count for the following year.
  • Dunwoody's city exemption is awarded along with the county one, per the Tax Commissioner's page.
  • Assessment freeze: new homestead applicants get DeKalb's county assessment freeze automatically. It does not apply to school, city or state taxes.

Rates and rules change every year. Please verify with the county and the city, and ask a CPA about your own taxes.

Sources: DeKalb Tax Commissioner: exemptions · 2026 homestead information (PDF) · City of Dunwoody: property taxes · Georgia DOR: homestead exemptions

Market snapshot

Redfin reported a Dunwoody median sale price of about $669,681 for the three months ending September 2026, down 3.6% from a year earlier. Medians mix condos, townhomes and houses, so a single home can be very different. For a price on a specific home, a comparative market analysis is the better tool.

Source: Redfin: Dunwoody housing market (checked October 31, 2026)

Frequently asked questions

Is Dunwoody in DeKalb County or Fulton County?

Dunwoody is in northern DeKalb County. Some nearby cities are in other counties, and taxes, schools and services follow the county, so check each address.

What school district serves Dunwoody?

Public schools in Dunwoody are part of the DeKalb County School District. Assignment goes by exact address, so use the district's official school locator for any home you consider.

Is there MARTA in Dunwoody?

Yes. Dunwoody Station on the MARTA Red Line is at Hammond Drive and Perimeter Center Parkway, next to Perimeter Mall.

How do I get the homestead exemption in Dunwoody?

Apply with the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner once you own and live in the home as your residence on January 1. It is not automatic. The city exemption is awarded along with the county one. Verify current deadlines with the county.

When is Lemonade Days?

Lemonade Days is held each spring at Brook Run Park by the Dunwoody Preservation Trust. In 2026 it ran April 22-26. Check the Trust's site for next year's dates.

Do I need a car in Dunwoody?

Most daily trips are by car, with I-285 along the south edge and GA-400 nearby. MARTA's Red Line serves Perimeter Center, so some commutes can use rail. Test your own route at rush hour.

Thinking about moving to or within Dunwoody?

Call or text me. I'm happy to answer questions, share what I know about the area, or look up a specific address with you. No pressure.

Call or text (404) 999-1899Email Dalia

Also helpful: Moving to North Atlanta: 1-2-3 guide · Selling your home

Sources

Facts on this page come from the linked sources. Checked October 2026. Rules, dates and numbers change, so please confirm with the source.

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