Population120,800 (2025)
Ancient Earthworks Meet Art and Lake Adventures
Bartow County, GeorgiaFollow the Etowah Valley from ancient earthworks to modern museum galleries, then make time for the water and woods around Lake Allatoona. Cartersville anchors a county whose smaller communities offer another pace for a day out or a longer stay. Bartow brings together Native American heritage, art, industry and recreation. Start with its signature landmarks, leave room for downtown browsing, and use official local resources to plan the practical details of a visit or move.
Bartow County at a Glance
Population120,800 (2025)
County SeatCartersville
Largest CityCartersville
Established1832
Total Area469.5 sq mi (land and water)
Key RoutesI-75 · US 41 · US 411
Discover the County
Bartow County
Established in 1832, Bartow County has a history that reaches well beyond its modern boundaries. The Etowah Indian Mounds preserve evidence of a major Indigenous community, while Cartersville provides a setting for museums that interpret art, science and transportation. Smaller towns add their own historic streets and local stories. The county’s identity combines the Etowah Valley landscape with changing patterns of commerce and industry. Its heritage deserves time and context, rather than a single stop on the way to the lake.
A day here can combine a museum visit with time outdoors near Lake Allatoona. Families can choose an indoor attraction before heading toward lakeside recreation, while history enthusiasts can begin at the Etowah Indian Mounds. Cartersville offers a useful starting point, but Adairsville, Euharlee and other communities broaden the itinerary. Check each attraction’s current admission, opening hours and access information before setting out, particularly for weather-dependent activities.
What Shapes Us
Local Heritage
The Etowah Indian Mounds and Cartersville’s museums offer different views of Bartow’s past, from Indigenous history to art, science and transportation.
Landscape and Place
The Etowah Valley and Lake Allatoona connect Bartow’s town centers with waterside recreation. Plan separate stops for museums and time outdoors.
Community Connections
Cartersville, Adairsville and Euharlee offer starting points for exploring Bartow. Use the county, school and library links below for local services.
Earthworks, galleries and lake days connect our communities.
My Local Guide
Bartow County
County Places & Landmarks
County Resources
Local Resources, Connected
Use official resources to connect with local services. Confirm service areas and current requirements directly with the provider.
Government
Schools
Check attendance boundaries and enrollment requirements with the district for your address.
Hospitals
Call 911 for emergencies. Use the hospital website for departments, locations and visitor information.
Public Safety
Emergency Services
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Use the managing agency’s current notices for hours, fees and access. Regional visitor directories may include nearby places outside the county.
Trails & Walking
Check the linked park or recreation directory for trail maps, walking facilities and current closures before your visit.
Utilities
Bartow County Water Department provides account information and move-in/move-out requests. Confirm whether the property is served by the county or a municipal water system before applying.
Electric service
Confirm the supplier for your exact address before applying. Start with the existing bill, landlord or seller; county boundaries alone do not identify the provider. Georgia EMC’s cooperative directory provides member utility contacts. If the address is served by Georgia Power, use its start, stop or transfer service page. Ask the confirmed supplier about deposits, connection dates and outage reporting.
Libraries
Read more about FREE Grow with Google Career Certificates for Library Cardholders!
Courts
DMV
Find a Georgia DDS service center
New driver license, ID or permit
Transportation
Bartow County Transit provides demand-response transportation. Call 770-387-5165 to ask about reservations, pickup coverage, the return trip, fares and accessibility. Book before your travel day and confirm current operating hours. Regional transportation directory.
Postal Services
Veterans
Find a Georgia veterans field service office
Veterans benefits claims assistance
Veteran driver license information
Employment
Bartow school district employment
Find a Georgia Department of Labor career center
WorkSource Georgia job and career portal
We’re Here to Help
Useful information for exploring the county and settling in.
Helpful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Start here for county background, visitor planning and official local information.
Etowah Indian Mounds is a signature destination. Check its official information for access, hours and any admission or reservation requirements.
Its identity includes Etowah Valley heritage, Cartersville museums and Lake Allatoona. Official visitor information can help you build an itinerary around the places that interest you.
Bartow County was established in 1832. New Georgia Encyclopedia provides historical context.
Cartersville is the county seat. Bartow County Government is the starting point for county services and official notices.
Cartersville is the largest municipality by population. The county seat is Cartersville.
Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs lists 120,800 people for 2025. 2025 Georgia County Populations is the source used for this guide.
Start with Etowah Indian Mounds for current visitor instructions. Confirm the activities you intend to do, since general opening information does not establish access to every part of an attraction.
Use the school district links below to check enrollment, calendars and attendance boundaries for your address.
Official local visitor information is a useful starting point for events and attractions. Confirm event dates, admission and cancellation notices with the organizer before traveling.
Bartow County Government provides the official starting point for departments, public information and service contacts. Municipal services may differ from services in unincorporated areas.
Check weather, daylight, access rules and current notices from the managing agency. For Etowah Indian Mounds, use the operator’s visitor information before leaving; schedules and access can change.
My Local Guide
Explore Local Places
Visitor Directories & AttractionsFind places to visit through local tourism organizations and attraction websites.
Places to Visit
Check each official website for current hours, admission, accessibility and any reservations before your visit.
Booth Western Art Museum
Explore Western art and American history in Cartersville.
Tellus Science Museum
Science galleries and a planetarium offer an indoor family outing.
Etowah Indian Mounds
Learn about the Indigenous community that built this historic mound complex.
Explore Bartow County
Browse these local visitor directories and attraction websites for ideas. Regional listings may include nearby communities. Check details with each venue.
Population: 2025 Georgia DCA county estimates. Total area (land plus water): 2025 U.S. Census geography.
Key routes (selected, not a complete road inventory): county/state transportation source.
Gallery photo credits
- Adairsville historic shops — Amesmultimedia. Original photograph; CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized for display.
- Grand Theatre in Cartersville — JJonahJackalope. Original photograph; CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for display.
- Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church — Hsestes00. Original photograph; CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized for display.
- ATCO mill historic district — Amesmultimedia. Original photograph; CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized for display.
.jpg){kind=link}
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.
County Photo Credits
Images are historical views, not live conditions. Display versions may be resized or cropped.
- USA-Georgia-Etowah Indian Mounds-Mound B — Kåre Thor Olsen; CC BY-SA 3.0.
- Downtown Main Street Cartersville, Feb 2017 — Thomson200; CC0.
