Buford is a city in Gwinnett and Hall counties in northeast Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area and set along the southern shore of Lake Lanier. Most of the city lies in Gwinnett County, with its northern portions extending into Hall County. Its population was about 17,000 at the 2020 census. Lake Lanier defines the city's northern edge and much of its character. The reservoir was created by Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River, and the city takes its name and much of its early identity from that connection. The lake supports boating, fishing, and lakefront living, and Buford serves as a primary gateway to the lake from the Atlanta side. Waterfront and dock-access neighborhoods spread across the northern part of the city, while the southern portion, closer to Interstate 85, holds the Mall of Georgia corridor and many newer subdivisions. Buford is also distinguished by its school system. Buford City Schools is a separate city school district — an unusual arrangement in Georgia — serving roughly 5,000 students in a campus-like setting of five schools, and it has earned a reputation as a high-performing district that draws families to the city. The city's location along I-85 places it within commuting distance of Atlanta and its northern job centers, while the lake and the region's parks give residents ready access to recreation. Buford has grown substantially as Atlanta commuters have sought strong schools, lake access, and housing with more space than closer-in suburbs, and that growth has brought new retail, dining, and residential development to the corridor around the Mall of Georgia. Buford balances a lake-oriented lifestyle on one side with retail, dining, and newer housing on the other, making it a draw for families and commuters in the northeast Atlanta metro.