Metro Atlanta Population and Jobs Continue to Increase

Data from the Atlanta Regional Commission shows that the region is recovering from the great recession. As reported by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the ARC’s annual estimate of the ten county region’s population on April 1, 2016 stands at 4,401,800, a year over year increase of 69,200. The population growth is matched by job growth.

The 29-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) added nearly 77,000 jobs between May 2015 and May 2016, the fourth-highest total among the largest metros in the nation.

“As always, more jobs means more people,” said Mike Carnathan, manager of ARC’s Research & Analytics Division. “Newcomers are increasingly attracted to our region as our economy picks up steam, post-recession.”

Gwinnett County remained the region’s fastest growing, adding 17,300 new residents. Fulton County grew the second fastest, with 15,300 new residents. Just over half of the Fulton additions, or 7,900, were in the city of Atlanta. Also of note, Cherokee County added more residents than did DeKalb County, 6,800 to 6,600.