Cobb County Seat & Aerospace Hub
Welcome to Marietta, the Cobb County seat northwest of Atlanta, where a historic downtown square, a major aerospace corridor, and Civil War landmarks shape an established city of distinctive neighborhoods.
Marietta sits at the junction of northwest metro Atlanta's major transportation corridors, roughly 20 miles from downtown Atlanta along I-75. As the Cobb County seat, it is both a suburban residential community and a significant employment center, home to one of the largest aerospace manufacturing campuses in the Southeast. The city's roughly 64,000 residents live in a landscape that spans 19th-century historic districts, mid-century subdivisions, and newer developments, all anchored by the civic and cultural hub of Marietta Square. The city's roots reach back to the 1830s, when settlers arrived in what was then Cherokee territory. Growth accelerated with the arrival of the Western and Atlantic Railroad in the 1840s, and Marietta incorporated in 1852. During the Civil War, the city became a strategic target in the Atlanta Campaign, and the nearby Kennesaw Mountain battlefield saw fierce fighting in the summer of 1864. General Sherman's troops occupied Marietta before the March to the Sea, and the city's recovery in the decades that followed produced much of the Victorian and early-20th-century architecture that still lines its historic streets. The 20th century transformed Marietta into an industrial powerhouse. The Bell Aircraft Corporation opened a massive B-29 bomber plant during World War II on what is now the Dobbins Air Reserve Base campus. After the war, Lockheed (later Lockheed Martin) took over the facility, and it remains one of metro Atlanta's largest private employers, designing and manufacturing military aircraft including the C-130 Hercules and F-35 Lightning II components. Dobbins ARB itself is home to the 94th Airlift Wing of the Air Force Reserve Command. Today Marietta balances its historic character with modern suburban growth. Marietta Square — a classic courthouse-square design with Glover Park at its center — is surrounded by independent restaurants, a popular food hall, the historic Strand Theatre, and a year-round farmers market. The city's neighborhoods range from the Victorian homes of the Church-Cherokee Historic District to quiet mid-century subdivisions and newer construction on the city's edges. This blend of history, jobs, and location continues to attract families, military personnel, and professionals who want established neighborhoods with direct access to Atlanta.
Marietta is located in Cobb County, Georgia, where it serves as the county seat. The city sits roughly 20 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta along the I-75 corridor, placing it in the northwestern quadrant of the Atlanta metropolitan area. Cobb County is the third-most populous county in Georgia, and Marietta's central location within the county makes it a hub for government services, commerce, and transportation in the northwest metro region.
Marietta is served by two public school systems. Marietta City Schools is an independent city-based district serving students within the core city limits, including Marietta High School and several elementary and middle schools. The Cobb County School District, the second-largest in Georgia, serves the remaining Marietta addresses and operates highly regarded schools throughout the county including Walton, Pope, and Lassiter high schools in the broader Marietta area.
Marietta is known for its historic downtown centered on Marietta Square, its significant aerospace industry anchored by Lockheed Martin and Dobbins Air Reserve Base, and its Civil War history as a key site in the 1864 Atlanta Campaign. Nearby Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is one of the most-visited Civil War sites in the United States, drawing visitors to its hiking trails and historic earthworks. The city also hosts the North Georgia State Fair, one of the region's largest community events.
Marietta is approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta. The drive via I-75 typically takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic conditions, as I-75 through Cobb County is among the busiest corridors in the metro area. CobbLinc bus service connects Marietta to MARTA stations for rail access into Atlanta. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is roughly 30 miles south, typically a 35-to-50-minute drive.
Marietta has several locally designated historic districts, including the Church-Cherokee Historic District, Whitlock Avenue Historic District, and Northwest Marietta Historic District. These areas contain well-preserved homes in styles including Queen Anne, Greek Revival, Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Tudor, and Folk Victorian, many dating from the 1870s through the 1920s. The Marietta Historic Preservation Commission oversees design guidelines for exterior modifications and renovations within these districts.
The largest employers in Marietta are Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Dobbins Air Reserve Base, which together form one of the Southeast's most significant aerospace manufacturing and military aviation centers. Additional major employers include WellStar Health System, anchored by WellStar Kennestone Hospital, along with Cobb County government and Marietta City Schools. The proximity to metro Atlanta also means many residents commute to jobs in the broader region.
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