Gwinnett County · The I-85 corridor
About Duluth
Duluth began as the 1821 settlement of Howell Crossing, took the name Duluth in 1873 when the railroad arrived, and spent a century as a quiet cotton town before the interstate era rebuilt it.
The city anchored its identity on the Town Green in the 1990s, and today the historic downtown, the green, and the packed festival calendar are the reason people drive to Duluth on purpose.
The short version
Howell Crossing to the Town Green
Duluth was settled in 1821 at Howell Crossing and renamed in 1873 for the railroad era, growing up around the line that still runs through town. The Eastern Continental Divide crosses the city, marked near the Town Green, which is fitting: Duluth's modern identity runs through that green.
Gwinnett County Public Schools serves the city, and daily life splits between the historic downtown and the Pleasant Hill Road retail district to the west.
How the city works
A full-service Gwinnett city
The city provides
- Duluth police, fire, water, and the parks system.
- The Town Green, the historic downtown program, and the festival calendar.
- Planning and permits through the city departments.
The county keeps
- Gwinnett County Public Schools for all city addresses.
- County courts, elections, and county services.
- The county parks system beyond the city's own parks.
Getting around
Two interstates, one main street
I-85 runs the city's west side with several exits, and SR 120 and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard carry the local traffic. The historic downtown sits a few minutes off the interstate.
The commute and transit details are on the getting around page.
Straight answers
Questions people actually ask
Why is there a Continental Divide marker downtown?
The Eastern Continental Divide crosses Duluth, so rain on one side of the marker heads to the Atlantic and rain on the other heads to the Gulf.
Which schools serve Duluth?
Gwinnett County Public Schools, through the Duluth cluster. Verify the current zone with the GCPS boundary maps by address.
Where do the festivals happen?
The Town Green and the historic downtown streets around it carry most of the city's festival calendar, including the Duluth Fall Festival.
An editorial guide, not a listings site. Updated September 13, 2026. Real-estate guidance on this page is provided by Rob Dietrich, REALTOR® with eXp Realty, LLC.