Gwinnett County · The county seat
About Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville is the county seat of Gwinnett County and the oldest city in the county, incorporated on December 15, 1821, exactly three years to the day after Gwinnett County itself was created. It is named for Captain James Lawrence, the War of 1812 naval commander remembered for the command, do not give up the ship.
The city's historic square remains the heart of downtown, and the county courthouse, the Gwinnett History Museum, and the county's administrative offices all sit around it. Georgia Gwinnett College anchors the west side, and the city serves as the county's civic and administrative center.
What it is
The oldest city in Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County was created on December 15, 1818, and the city that would become its seat was incorporated exactly three years later, on December 15, 1821. The site was chosen partly for its nearby springs, and the original square remains the heart of downtown. The city is named for Captain James Lawrence, the War of 1812 naval commander remembered for the dying command, do not give up the ship.
As the county seat, Lawrenceville carries the county courthouse, the administrative offices, the Gwinnett History Museum in the 1855 Female Seminary building, and the civic life of the county's largest government. Georgia Gwinnett College anchors the city's west side.
How it works
A council-manager city
The city
- An elected mayor and four council members serving staggered four-year terms.
- An appointed city manager runs the day-to-day operations.
- The city runs the downtown square, the parks, and the civic calendar.
The county and the city
- Lawrenceville is the county seat, so the county government, courts, and library system are based here.
- The public schools run through the Gwinnett County clusters.
- Property tax, elections, and the county-level services are centered in the city.
Straight answers
Questions people actually ask
Why is it named Lawrenceville?
For Captain James Lawrence, the War of 1812 naval commander remembered for the dying command, do not give up the ship. The city took the name when it was incorporated in 1821.
What schools serve Lawrenceville?
Several Gwinnett County clusters touch the city, led by the Central Gwinnett cluster in the downtown core. The cluster for an address comes from the boundary maps. The schools page lays it out.
What is the county seat connection?
Lawrenceville is where Gwinnett County's government, courts, and administration are based, around the historic courthouse on the downtown square.
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.