Carlton is a small city in the southeastern corner of Madison County, Georgia, in the rolling Piedmont country east of Athens. The community was incorporated by the Georgia General Assembly in 1892, and its early name was briefly "Berkeley," chosen to avoid confusion with Carrollton to the west. The town grew up along the road that became Georgia State Route 72, which still runs through the area and ties it to the nearby communities of Comer and Elberton. Carlton sits at the edge of the Broad River watershed. The South Fork of the Broad River passes just south of the city limits and joins the main Broad River about three miles east of town, giving the area a gently rolling, river-fed landscape characteristic of northeastern Georgia's Piedmont. With roughly 260 residents spread across about one square mile, Carlton is among Georgia's smallest incorporated cities. Life here is quiet and distinctly rural: single-family homes, small farms, and open countryside define the streetscape, and most residents own their homes. The surrounding Madison County landscape is known for its agricultural heritage and a mix of pasture, timber, and river bottomland. Public school students attend the Madison County School District, a countywide system whose schools are well regarded by residents. For most daily services, shopping, and employment, residents turn to Comer, Danielsville, and Athens. Carlton retains the unhurried character of a small Georgia town, making it appealing to those who value space, a low-density setting, and easy access to the Broad River and the region's outdoor recreation. Its location along a state highway corridor keeps it connected without sacrificing its rural identity.