Gwinnett grew from about 72,000 people in 1970 to about 957,000 in 2020, and a large part of its housing was built somewhere along that climb. Peachtree Corners, Duluth, Norcross, Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Buford, Sugar Hill, Snellville, Lilburn and the unincorporated county around them. This page covers what that growth means for asphalt now, the lake and river edges, and each city's rules at the street.
Gwinnett County's own history page says it was the fastest growing county in the United States among counties of more than 100,000 people from 1986 through 1988. Its census counts show the scale: 72,349 in 1970, 352,910 in 1990 and 957,062 in 2020. The Census Bureau's 2024 five year survey puts the median Gwinnett home at 1996, with Lawrenceville at 1988, Snellville 1991, Duluth 1994 and Suwanee 2003.
Growth that fast leaves whole subdivisions, private streets and amenity lots that were paved within a few years of each other. Where the original asphalt is still in place, it is now twenty to forty years old, and it tends to show the same faults across a whole street: the seam at the garage slab, the corner where everyone cuts the turn, and edges crumbling where irrigation soaks the lawn beside them.
Some drives in Gwinnett are poured concrete, and we only seal asphalt. Snellville goes further than most: its development ordinance says driveways serving single family detached homes must be paved with concrete, allows additional parking in concrete, asphalt or approved pervious paving, and bans gravel. If you are in Snellville and thinking about replacing an asphalt drive, that rule is worth knowing before anyone quotes a new asphalt one. Snellville's driveway extension application carries a $25 fee and a ten business day review on its 2025 form, and addresses on a private septic system need approval from Gwinnett County Environmental Health first.
Everywhere else, asphalt drives, private community streets, pool and clubhouse lots, apartment parking and commercial lots are all work we price. If it turns out to be concrete, you will be told so rather than quoted.
The Chattahoochee forms Gwinnett's northwest border, and at the north end Buford Dam, finished in 1957, holds back Lake Sidney Lanier. Interstates 85 and 985 run through the county toward it. Where a lot slopes toward the river or a lake cove, the drive often climbs to the house, and it can be a long one. A long drive in full sun greys first at the top, where it is exposed all day, and breaks first at the bottom, where the water collects. Both ends get looked at before a number is given.
A driveway onto a state route is a Georgia Department of Transportation matter in any city. Whoever does the apron pulls whatever permit applies, and the quote says so.
For a home, a measured quote to fill the cracks and seal the drive, with small patches inside that one price. For a drive whose original asphalt has given up in places, cut-out repairs or an overlay, priced after someone has seen it. For a subdivision, a townhome community or an apartment property, the streets, courts and amenity parking on one sheet, sealed and restriped in sections so nobody is shut in. Paving itself is carried out by a local independent paving contractor.
Not necessarily. If it is still firm and flat, cracks filled and a coat will help it. If it has a web of cracks or soft spots, those are repaired first, and if they are everywhere, an overlay is the honest answer.
Yes, on one sheet, phased so residents can still get in and out. See HOAs and property managers.
Send the address. It is measured like any other before anyone says yes or no.
Sealing leaves the drive as it is. The concrete rule is written about what a driveway is paved with, so it matters most when the drive is being replaced, and if there is any doubt about how it applies to yours, the city gets asked before work is booked.
Next door: DeKalb County and Fulton County, with Cobb across the river.
