Marietta will usher in the holiday season with its Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa’s Arrival on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at Glover Park in Historic Marietta Square. This popular community event offers a festive array of activities for all ages.

Event Schedule:

• 4:00 PM: Festivities commence with performances by local school and church choirs, filling the square with holiday melodies. The music continues throughout the day.
• 4:45 PM: The Ugly Holiday Sweater Walking Parade begins, inviting participants to showcase their most festive attire. The parade starts at Marietta City Hall, proceeds west on Lawrence Street, circles the Square, and concludes at Glover Park via East Park Square.
• 5:15 PM: Santa Claus makes his grand entrance aboard a City of Marietta firetruck, delighting attendees of all ages.
• 6:00 PM: The highlight of the evening—the lighting of Marietta’s Great Christmas Tree—illuminates the square, symbolizing the start of the holiday season.

Santa Letter Writing Stations will be available throughout the evening, allowing children to send their holiday wishes directly to Santa.

About the City of Marietta

The City of Marietta is the county seat of Cobb County. The latest estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau puts the city’s population at 62,769 (2023 estimate), which makes it the second largest city in Cobb County by population, smaller only than the City of Mableton.

Marietta’s history dates back to the early 19th century, with significant development occurring alongside the expansion of the Western and Atlantic Railroad in the 1830s. 

During the Civil War, Marietta was a strategic location, witnessing several battles and occupations. Post-war, the city experienced growth in various industries, including cotton, flour, paper, and marble mills.

In the 1940s, the establishment of a Bell Aircraft manufacturing plant, later operated by Lockheed, contributed to Marietta’s economic development, especially during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Marietta operates under a mayor-council form of government. The current mayor is Steve “Thunder” Tumlin, who has been in office since January 4, 2010.

The City Council comprises seven members, each representing one of the city’s wards:

• Ward 1: Cheryl Richardson
• Ward 2: Griffin L. Chalfant
• Ward 3: Johnny Walker
• Ward 4: G.A. (Andy) Morris
• Ward 5: M. Carlyle Kent
• Ward 6: Andre L. Sims
• Ward 7: Joseph R. Goldstein

This governing body is responsible for enacting local laws, policies, and allocating city resources for various programs and services.

Here are a few quick facts from the Census Bureau

Population
Population estimates, July 1, 2023, (V2023)	62,769
Population estimates base, April 1, 2020, (V2023)	61,073
Population, percent change – April 1, 2020 (estimates base) to July 1, 2023, (V2023)	2.8%
Population, Census, April 1, 2020	60,972
Population, Census, April 1, 2010	56,579
Age and Sex
Persons under 5 years, percent	6.0%
Persons under 18 years, percent	20.7%
Persons 65 years and over, percent	14.2%
Female persons, percent	51.3%
Race and Hispanic Origin
White alone, percent	45.3%
Black or African American alone, percent(a)	30.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a)	1.3%
Asian alone, percent(a)	2.1%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a)	0.0%
Two or More Races, percent	8.6%
Hispanic or Latino, percent(b)	18.8%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent	42.4%
Population Characteristics
Veterans, 2018-2022	2,377
Foreign born persons, percent, 2018-2022	17.2%

Housing
Housing Units, July 1, 2023, (V2023)	X
Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2018-2022	46.2%
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2018-2022	$376,400
Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2018-2022	$2,050
Median selected monthly owner costs -without a mortgage, 2018-2022	$569
Median gross rent, 2018-2022	$1,372
Building Permits, 2023	X
Families & Living Arrangements
Households, 2018-2022	24,403
Persons per household, 2018-2022	2.39
Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 2018-2022	79.1%
Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2018-2022	24.3%
Computer and Internet Use
Households with a computer, percent, 2018-2022	97.2%
Households with a broadband Internet subscription, percent, 2018-2022	91.3%
Education
High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2018-2022	88.5%
Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2018-2022	45.8%
Health
With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2018-2022	6.7%
Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent	21.6%

Economy
In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2018-2022	67.6%
In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2018-2022	61.1%
Total accommodation and food services sales, 2017 ($1,000)(c)	282,938
Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000)(c)	2,324,868
Total transportation and warehousing receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000)(c)	492,100
Total retail sales, 2017 ($1,000)(c)	2,099,654
Total retail sales per capita, 2017(c)	$34,643
Transportation
Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2018-2022	27.3
Income & Poverty
Median household income (in 2022 dollars), 2018-2022	$67,589
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2022 dollars), 2018-2022	$40,767
Persons in poverty, percent	12.8%

Businesses
Total employer establishments, 2022	X
Total employment, 2022	X
Total annual payroll, 2022 ($1,000)	X
Total employment, percent change, 2021-2022	X
Total nonemployer establishments, 2021	X
All employer firms, Reference year 2017	3,152
Men-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	1,993
Women-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	S
Minority-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	505
Nonminority-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	2,146
Veteran-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	193
Nonveteran-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	2,443

Geography
Population per square mile, 2020	2,602.0
Population per square mile, 2010	2,451.4
Land area in square miles, 2020	23.43
Land area in square miles, 2010	23.08
FIPS Code	1349756