| Alpharetta is a city in Fulton County, Georgia, United States. As of 2006 census estimates, the city had a total population of 43,424. Selected for its location next to a spring, it began as a campground, and was originally known as New Prospect Camp Ground until late 1858. Officially chartered on December 11 of that year, Alpharetta ( Greek for "first town") became the county seat of Milton County until the end of 1931, when Milton was merged with Fulton County to avoid bankruptcy during the Great Depression. |