The 11-County Service Area: A Demographic Profile

Some General Observations from the Last Census Greater racial diversity Fewer native Georgians Pockets of racial concentration Rapidly urbanizing

Georgia’s “Urban” Areas

Some General Observations from the Last Census Local governments becoming more fiscally stressed Smart growth not confined to metro- Atlanta Local leadership is still the key

County Growth Highlights Lost Population – or greater

County Growth Highlights

Municipal Growth Highlights Increase in population by 100% or greater

Municipal Growth Highlights Lost population

Latino Population in Georgia Net change greater than 10,000 Greater than 500% increase County boundary

Latino Population in Service Area

African-American Population in Georgia Net change greater than 10,000 Greater than 34.7% increase County boundary

African-American Population in Service Area

White Population in Georgia Lost population Greater than 30.0% increase County boundary

White Population in Service Area

Racial Groups in Service Area

Human Capital Vitality (Adults) Indicators Used *Index crime rate (Part 1 crimes) per 100,000 population, *Literacy proxy, 2000 estimate (based on 1996 figures) *Health Index, 1999 *Food stamp participation rate (% of population), 2000

Human Capital Vitality (Youth and Children) Indicators Used *Juvenile arrest rate per 1,000 persons ages (Part 1 crimes), *High school dropout rate, school year *Child mortality rate per 1,000 children 19 years of age and younger, *Teen pregnancy rate per 1,000 females ages 10-19, 1999

Other Statistics for the Service Area

Economic Vitality Mitchell Thomas Walker Elbert Glynn Tattnall Taylor Berrien Echols Talbot Stewart Coweta Rabun Fannin Washington Union Hart Jefferson Jasper Macon Bibb Wilcox Baker Lowndes Brantley Hancock Monroe Greene Crisp Henry Miller Marion Pierce Murray Terrell Upson Gwinnett Heard Pike Twiggs McIntosh Gordon Effingham Walton Clay Wilkinson Morgan Jenkins Putnam Toombs Meriwether Randolph Houston Cook Bacon Cherokee Turner Chatham Jackson White Oglethorpe Atkinson Warren Banks Paulding Butts Johnson Newton Wheeler Crawford DeKalb Baldwin Dade Lincoln Pulaski Whitfield Madison Lumpkin Franklin Jeff Davis Calhoun Richmond Candler Forsyth Dougherty Haralson Columbia Lanier Ben Hill Chattooga Lamar Evans McDuffie Pickens Towns Seminole Dawson Fayette Bleckley Schley Webster Barrow Oconee Treutlen Douglas Habersham Peach Spalding Catoosa Muscogee Taliaferro Clarke Stephens Clayton Montgomery Quitman Chattahoochee Glascock Rockdale Indicators Used Total Average Wage Growth - 3 year average ( ) Total Employment Growth - 3 year average ( ) Total Population Growth - 3 year average ( ) Total Unemployment - 3 year average ( ) Per Capita Income - 3 year average ( ) Poverty Rate, 1999

Major Economic Engines

Economic Output in Service Area

Fiscal Capacity

Closing Remarks Racial and Ethnic Demographics Human Capital and Social Characteristics Persistent Poverty Economics Local Government

Closing Remarks Promote policies that recognize the importance of Georgia’s regional economic markets. Foster an understanding of the inter-dependencies of Georgia’s rural communities and urban centers. Add value to Georgia’s unique qualities while supporting efforts that will improve the quality of life in Georgia. Understand that leadership is the key to success.

Questions?

Georgia Rural Development Council 225 West Broad Street Athens, GA Fax