The City of Kennesaw, Georgia is recognized for its ongoing commitment to public safety, community engagement, parks and recreation, cultural enrichment, and financial excellence. A large sculpture displayed at Depot Park, part of the Art Blooms exhibit, showcasing contemporary outdoor art.From award-winning gardens and dog parks to new public safety facilities and the Amphitheater at Depot Park, the city continues to invest in projects that improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. Explore Kennesaw’s highlights from 2016–2025 and see why it is a great place to live, work, and play.

2025

  • The City of Kennesaw officially broke ground on a new 25,000-square-foot Public Safety Facility, a major investment in the future of public safety.
  • Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Kennesaw’s issuer rating and general obligation unlimited tax (GOULT) rating to AA1 from AA2, reflecting the city’s strong financial position and management practices.
  • The city unveiled a new Fit Station at Swift-Cantrell Park, promoting health and wellness in the community. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of this new fitness amenity.

2024

  • Smith-Gilbert Gardens expansion & renovations construction began to enhance facilities and outdoor spaces, supporting community programs and events.
  • Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting awarded by the GFOA for the 24th consecutive year.

2023

  • The construction of the Amphitheater at Depot Park progressed, with the venue set to enhance the city’s cultural offerings.
  • Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 23rd consecutive year.

2022

2021

  • Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 21st consecutive year.
  • Kennesaw Police Department received the Kennesaw Business Association Community Citizen Award for outstanding dedication and service to the Kennesaw community.
  • Smith-Gilbert Gardens was listed #3 on Kids Out and About’s Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Atlanta.

2020

  • Awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 20th consecutive year.
  • The Frank Boone Dog Park at Swift-Cantrell Park was named Best of Cobb by Cobb Life Magazine.
  • Smith-Gilbert Gardens was listed #3 on Kids Out and About’s List of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Atlanta.
  • The Kennesaw Police Department was awarded the Kennesaw Business Association Community Citizen Award.
  • The City of Kennesaw was named #6 on the National Council for Home Safety and Security’s Safest Cities in Georgia list.
  • The City of Kennesaw was recognized as one of the Most Budget-Friendly Georgia Cities for homeowners with a mortgage and for renters, ranking in the top 25 statewide.

2019

  • Awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 19th consecutive year.
  • Ranked in the Top 20 for the 2019 Best Suburbs to Live in Georgia by Niche.
  • Listed fourth on the Chamber of Commerce’s Best Cities to Live in Georgia.
  • Named to WalletHub’s Best Small Cities in America, 80th percentile.
  • Included in SafeWise’s list of Georgia’s 50 Safest Cities.
  • Named to Trips to Discover’s 10 Best Neighborhoods to See Christmas Lights in Atlanta.

2018

  • Named No. 19 on Welcomemat Services’ 2018 list of America’s Top 25 Best Neighborhoods for Small Business.
  • Kennesaw Grand Prix Series awarded the Spot-On Award by Cobb Travel & Tourism for Event of the Year.
  • Ranked 88th on WalletHub’s list of Best Small Cities in America.

2017

  • SafeHome.org ranked Kennesaw No. 4 on their 2017 list of the Safest Cities in Georgia.
  • ElitePersonalFinance.com ranked Kennesaw in the top 5 best places to live in the US.
  • SafeWise.com ranked Kennesaw #13 among Georgia’s safest cities, best in Cobb County.
  • Smith-Gilbert Gardens named Best Place to Spend the Day Outdoors by Cobb Life Magazine.

2016

  • Smith-Gilbert Gardens received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.
  • WalletHub ranked Kennesaw in the 91st percentile among small cities in America, highest ranked small city in Georgia.
  • Named 15th Best Place to Raise a Family in Georgia by WalletHub, highest in Cobb County.
  • CreditDonkey rated Kennesaw among Georgia’s top 20 safest cities.
  • BestPlacesNow.com named Kennesaw one of the best places to live in Georgia.
  • Ranked #6 safest city by backgroundchecks.org, #4 in ValuePenguin for cities over 25,000 population.
  • Zippia.com deemed Kennesaw the 4th Smartest City in Georgia.
  • Niche.com rated Kennesaw #8 Best Suburb for Millennials in Atlanta metro.
  • Honored by the Arbor Day Foundation as a “Tree City USA” community for the 8th year.
  • Big Shanty Festival named Best Festival by Cobb Life Magazine.
  • National Association for Business Resources included Kennesaw in Best and Brightest in Wellness® list.
  • Atlanta Parent Magazine named Smith-Gilbert Gardens one of three best gardens in the metro area.
  • SafeWise.com ranked Kennesaw 11th among safest cities in Georgia in 2013, only Cobb County municipality in top 20.