Atlanta, Georgia – According to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the metro Atlanta area is now the sixth-largest urban area in the country. This important milestone shows how quickly the area has grown in recent years, making it not only one of the largest but also the third fastest-growing in the country.
In 2023, about 68,585 new people moved to the Atlanta metro area. This was about 1% of the total population change. This rise is a clear sign that the area is becoming more popular and dynamic. However, the distribution of this growth makes the whole story more complicated. The fastest increases aren’t seen in the central counties of Fulton, DeKalb, or Cobb. Instead, they’re seen in the exurban towns on the edges of the metropolitan area.
The U.S. Census Bureau showed that Dawson and Jackson counties in Georgia have the fastest population rise among counties with more than 20,000 people. Dawson County, which is in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, had the fifth highest growth rate in the country, at 5.1%. Jackson County, which is close to Athens, did better than expected by coming in fourth with a growth rate of 5.5%. Jackson County is growing quickly, and the city of Jefferson is a big reason for that. In 2023, it had 4,606 more people than any other micro area in the U.S.
The 5.5% rise in population in Jefferson makes it clear that it is the fastest-growing micro area in the country by percentage. The rise in popularity of these areas shows a change in population trends, with more people becoming interested in places outside of Metro Atlanta.
The report from December, which came before the announcement, said that Georgia was one of only eight states in the country with more than 11 million people. Georgia and Atlanta’s booming film, technology, and real estate industries are to blame for this population growth. They are attracting a wide range of people and families to the area.
Atlanta and the counties around it are going through a time of rapid growth. The effects on the society, infrastructure, and politics of the area have yet to be fully understood. Metro Atlanta’s growth shows how cities are growing and people are looking for community and opportunities outside of cities. It is clear that this will have a big impact on the future of Atlanta metro area as it continues to grow and change.