Cartersville is the county seat of Bartow, located 42 miles to the northwest of downtown Atlanta. The 2010 Census listed almost 20,000 residents in this historic city that is nestled in the rolling hills of north Georgia. The hospitality of its people and the surprising cultural quality caused the editors of Blue Ridge Country Magazine to cite Cartersville as "One of the 16 Friendliest Towns".

The area where Cartersville sits is the site of the Etowah Indian Mounds, remnants of the area's Native American culture from 1,000 A.D. The site is now a state park, complete with a museum where artifacts and exhibits of the ancient culture are displayed. The first historic documentation of the area was Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto's account of the mounds. The history of the area is also exhibited by Cartersville's Weinman Mineral Museum, featuring thousands of rock, gem and mineral specimens.

Modern day Cartersville was formed in 1850 and named after Georgia planter Colonel Farrish Carter. This gentleman was a frequent traveler through the hamlet, although at that time the present city was named "Birmingham". In honor of Colonel carter, the town was incorporated as Cartersville in 1872. Growth came to Cartersville significantly boosted with the arrival of railroads and then highways. The area's natural resources brought great value to the area.

Today's city enjoys outstanding water recreation, being perched on the Etowah River, with 12,000-acre Lake Allatoona nearby. The community is blessed with abundant parks and a wonderful historic downtown that includes the magnificent Grand Theatre and The Booth Western Art Museum. Red Top Mountain State Park is on Lake Allatoona, offering visitors a lodge, conference center, restaurant, golf course, rental cottages and hiking trails.

All in all, Cartersville is surprising. It is a vibrant, business-friendly community with excellent educational opportunities and an outstanding quality of life. Cartersville has state of the art museums and top-flight resorts and recreational areas.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution once conducted a poll that resulted in Cartersville being named  "one of the most likeable places to live among the metro counties". It is a unique blend of country charm and international sophistication.