Rest Haven is about as small as an incorporated Georgia town gets — 45 residents as of the 2020 census, down from 231 in 1980. It received its municipal charter in 1938 and sits primarily in northern Gwinnett County with a small piece extending into southern Hall County, along GA-13 near I-985 between Atlanta and Gainesville.
What It's Known For
Rest Haven is surrounded almost entirely by the much larger city of Buford, and as of 2022 Buford actually provides planning, zoning, utilities, and permitting services to Rest Haven under an interlocal arrangement — there have been ongoing annexation discussions between the two. It still maintains its own separate municipal status and mayor.
Cost of Living & Commute
Given its size, Rest Haven functions more as a small residential pocket within greater Buford than as a standalone town with its own amenities — day-to-day life here means relying on Buford (and, to a lesser extent, Gainesville) for shopping, dining, and services. It sits within the county's typical 30–45 minute commute window to downtown Atlanta via I-985/I-85.
Schools
Because Rest Haven straddles Gwinnett and Hall counties, school assignment depends on the specific address — check with Gwinnett County Public Schools or Hall County Schools directly, since a town this small isn't always cleanly mapped in general district-lookup tools.
See Homes For Sale in Rest Haven
Rest Haven is too small for its own reliable MLS filter — the search below covers all of Gwinnett County, including the Buford-area homes immediately surrounding Rest Haven.