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New Citizen Info

Welcome to Douglas County!



We are glad that you are here. Your presence adds to our diversity, and to our experience. We embrace you as new friends and neighbors.

You will like our low taxes.


Douglas County citizens enjoy the lowest property taxes in the Atlanta metro area. The Board of Commissioners has lowered the millage rate seven times in the past ten years so that our citizens pay only their fair share. The citizens of Douglas County recently voted to enable an increasing homestead exemption for the County share of property taxes so that they would not pay more taxes for their principal residence until they sold it or substantially improved it.

You will like our environment.


We have fought hard to protect the watershed of the Dog River, our drinking water source, and we have not locally placed any water usage restrictions on our citizens over the past ten years (current restrictions are State-imposed). We monitor and inspect construction activities and ensure that erosion control measures are in place to protect all of our creeks and streams. We have not allowed the construction of habitable structures within our 100-year floodplain for over 25 years. We prosecute violators.

You will like our law enforcement and emergency services.


Our Sheriff's Department continues to be innovating in its programs, including joint task forces on Interstate 20 and community policing throughout the County. Our Fire Department has the most dedicated and caring men and women anywhere, and they fight for every life and property that is threatened. Our E-911 system is quick, responsive, and responsible, and has an enviable record.

You will like that we spend your tax dollars wisely.


We constantly apply for hundreds of thousands of grant dollars, so that we can expand our services and programs without having to raise taxes to do so. Grant funds have allowed us to begin a defensive driving class for our teenagers, to build a recycling center at the landfill, expand the Health Department, and pave many of our roads. We work hard to follow our annual budget.

We are one of the smallest counties in the State of Georgia in size, but we have worked hard to make us the best County in the State, regardless of size. Our per capita income ranks in the top ten percent of the State, and our poverty rate is in the bottom ten percent. We are working hard to bring in new businesses and clean industry, and to become the retail and industrial hub of west central Georgia.

You are an important part of our community, and we trust that you will enjoy your life here. Please get involved in your County government and help us take Douglas County to greater heights.

Information for New Citizens:

  • To receive a free weekly e-mailing of community events and meetings to help you meet your neighbors, and become involved in your community:
    dctv23, the Douglas County Government Access Cable Television Channel
    Subscribe to our newsletter.

  • To make arrangements for water and sewer service in areas of the County where service is available:
    Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority (WSA)
    8763 Hospital Drive, Douglasville
    View map
    Phone 770.949.7617

  • To permit a water well and/or a septic tank in areas of the County not served by the WSA:
    Douglas Board of Health
    8700 Hospital Drive
    First Floor, Development Services, Douglas County Courthouse, Douglasville
    View map
    Phone 770.920.7311

  • To get a Georgia driver's license:
    Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles
    502 Old Newnan Road
    Carrollton, Georgia
    View map
    (located across the street from the Carroll State Prison)
    For driver's license information, call 404.657.9300 or 678.413.8400.

  • To turn on electrical power:
    GreyStone Power Corporation
    4040 Bankhead Highway, Douglasville
    View map
    Phone 770.942.6576
    or
    Georgia Power
    8500 Campbellton Street, Douglasville, GA 30134
    View map
    1.888.660.5890 toll-free

  • Contact a natural gas marketer

  • To enroll your children in the Douglas County School System
    Register at:
    Douglas County School System Central Office Annex
    4841 Georgia Highway 5
    (old Bill Arp Elementary School)
    Douglasville, GeorgiaŹ 30135
    (enter through gymnasium door)
    770.651.2050
    www.douglas.k12.ga.us