Economy Slowing Population Growth

ARC estimated that the 10-county Atlanta region added 34,550 new residents between April 1, 2010 and April 1, 2011. This growth is dramatically slower than what the Atlanta region is accustomed to as the anemic national economy continues to take its toll on the Atlanta region’s growth.

Over the last three years, essentially since the recession began, the 10-county region has added approximately 91,000 people. To put this into perspective, during the fast-growing 2000 decade, the Atlanta region was routinely adding 100,000 new residents each year.

The Atlanta region’s slowdown is directly attributable to the national economy. During weak economic periods, people don’t move as much because, firstly, job opportunities are slim, thus people aren’t moving to take new jobs. Secondly, with the housing market in such disarray, it is hard to sell a house, which tends to keep people put. 

The Report:

Download the Regional Snapshot (PDF)

More information:

For more infomation about the region's population, please go to ARC's 2010 Census page that contains a host of information documenting the dramatic demographic changes that occurred during the 2000 decade. And make sure you check back often, that page will be updated frequently.

The Archives:

2009
2009 data tables
(population variables) (housing variables) (XLS)

2009 Regional Snapshot (XLS)

2008
2008 data tables
(population variables) (housing variables) (XLS) 

2008 Regional Snapshot (PDF)

2007
2007 data tables:
(population variables) (housing variables) (XLS) 

2007 Regional Snapshot (PDF)