The Atlanta Regional Commission recently released its annual population estimates for the region, citing an increase of 52,700 residents in the year ending April 1. This growth represents an increase in the rate of growth compared to recent years, though it lags behind the population increases we saw in the 1990s and the early 2000s before the onset of the Great Recession.
The region’s growth was led by Fulton and Gwinnett counties. Fulton added the most people, with 12,700 residents, while Gwinnett added 11,900 residents. Cobb and DeKalb counties followed with 9,600 and 6,300 new residents, respectively. Each of the 10 counties gained population from 2013 to 2014.
Perhaps the most interesting growth story locally is that of the 4,100 people added to the city of Atlanta. While 4,100 is not comparable to the growth Gwinnett and Fulton experienced, we can look back just a few years to see that it represents a substantial increase compared to past years.
In the 1990s, Atlanta averaged 127 new residents each year. That number doubled to 353 annually between 2000 and 2010. Since 2010, however, the city’s annual population increase has averaged more than 1,700 new people annually. And obviously, with 4,100 added in just one year between 2013 and 2014, that growth trend appears to be increasing.
ARC’s estimates are based, in part, on birth and death records and building permits issued. Approximately 30 percent of all building permits issued in the 10-county region between April 1, 2013 and April 1, 2014 were in Atlanta. This is due, in large part, to a surge in multi-family residences, like apartments and condominiums. Buckhead, Midtown and downtown have seen an uptick in multi-family housing units in recent years as the region emerges from the recession.
That a growing segment of metro Atlanta residents is choosing to call the city home means the region’s economic core is strong, and people want to live near the majority of the region’s jobs. And, the fact the area continues to attract new residents while other large metros, like New York and Chicago, are seeing less in-migration proves our region has a lot to offer, and people continue to see promise here despite the economic downturn.
It also is additional evidence more people of all ages and backgrounds are looking for housing options that offer convenient access to jobs, amenities and services, rather than longer commutes.
We see this playing out not only in the city, but all over the region where there is a need and demand for multi-family housing and mixed-use neighborhoods. This demand has led MARTA to work with the private sector to increase transit-oriented development around its rail stations, giving residents more access to other transit-connected parts of the region. New mixed-use communities also are springing up around Perimeter Center, Cumberland Galleria, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and other points.
Over the years, ARC’s Livable Centers Initiative has helped more than 100 communities — from urban areas like those listed above to more suburban jurisdictions like Woodstock, Suwanee and McDonough — reimagine their downtowns and commercial areas as walkable places better connected to nearby neighborhoods and amenities.
However, a vibrant regional economy remains strong only when people work together to find ways to encourage growth and continue the tradition of developing creative solutions to community challenges. To that end, ARC is working closely with the business, civic and nonprofit communities to ensure the region remains economically competitive and innovative. We are a partner in the Atlanta Aerotropolis Alliance, Regional Economic Competitiveness Strategy, Transit-Oriented Development Collaborative, Regional Education Partnership and other groups of residents and business people working for the good of the entire region.
Initiatives like these, and the people who power them, will help the Atlanta area remain a magnet for newcomers seeking opportunity and a high quality of life. ARC is proud to be a partner in creating that bright future for our region and a voice for collaboration and innovation to keep it strong.
