3 min read April 2024 — The Greater Atlanta metropolitan area continues to grow, boasting a dynamic culture and a booming economy. Recently, the city has achieved a new milestone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. As of mid-March, the region is now the sixth-largest and third fastest-growing in the United States. The addition of approximately 68,585 residents in 2023, a 1% increase in the area’s population, underscores the allure of Atlanta and its surrounding counties.
This population surge is part of a broader trend that saw the state’s overall population surpass 11 million, as reported in December. Atlanta’s growth has been significantly influenced by the thriving film, technology, and real estate industries, attracting a diverse range of residents seeking opportunities in these sectors.
The most rapid growth has occurred not in the urban core counties, but rather in the exurban communities farther from the city center, with the fastest population increases projected in outer counties like Forsyth, Barrow, Paulding, Cherokee, Walton, and Coweta. Yet, the core counties of Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb, and Clayton are also expected to see substantial growth, adding nearly half of the region’s total population increase by 2050.
Leaders in the Atlanta area, including Mayor Sam Couvillon of the city of Gainesville, Mayor Mario Avery of the city of Fairburn, Mayor Alan Hallman of the city of Hapeville, and Mayor Al Thurman of the city of Powder Springs, shared their insights with Focus: Atlanta on the growth their cities are experiencing amidst the region’s expansion.
Sam Couvillon, Mayor, City of Gainesville
Our downtown development has seen over $400 million in private investments, including the opening of a new Courtyard by Marriott and Boot Barn Hall. We’ve also seen the construction or opening of around 800 new residential units in our downtown area. Our goal was to enliven downtown not only during the day but also at night, which requires a strong residential presence. This has successfully attracted more restaurants and retail spaces.
Additionally, our local hospital is undergoing a $750 million expansion, including a graduate residency program with 200 residents living here continuously. This has led us to focus on providing top-notch living conditions to attract such professionals, alongside students from Brenau University who are pursuing doctoral programs in fields like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant. Another major development is our new business park, the largest in northeast Georgia, owned by the city and aimed at attracting and retaining growing businesses.
Mario Avery, Mayor, City of Fairburn
In the past year, our city has achieved significant milestones. We were honored to be acknowledged by the Atlanta Skyhawks semi-pro basketball team as the most improved city within a year. Additionally, we successfully attracted top leaders from the metro area to join our workforce. The city of Fairburn was also distinguished with the Certificate of Achievement in Excellence for Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association, reflecting our strong financial standing and attractiveness to potential investors and businesses. The prestigious Jeff Cook Silver Award plaque recognized our utility department’s commitment to safety, highlighting our city’s dedication to ensuring a safe environment for all. I have also received the Diamond Award for Government: Excellence in Leadership, Philanthropy, Humanitarian & Community Engagement. These accomplishments are just a snapshot of the many successes we’ve experienced over the past year.
We have implemented key initiatives to drive our city’s growth and enhance its appeal.
For example, we allocated federal funds to create a $250,000 small business grant program, providing support for capital improvements, relocation, payroll, and rental expenses. This strategic use of funds demonstrates our commitment to being business-friendly and ensuring the success of businesses once they establish themselves in our city.
Alan Hallman, Mayor, City of Hapeville
Hapeville, a small and landlocked community, has focused on smart growth and increased density in residential development due to its limited developable land. This year, we’ve seen significant development projects, including a 68-unit townhome development on North Central Avenue, a 62 single-family home project, a 25-unit townhome development on Willingham, and a 25-unit single-family home development on King Arnold Street. Additionally, we introduced a multifamily development named Signal, featuring 284 luxury apartments and 5,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. Porsche Cars North America expanded its experience track, added a restoration facility for vintage automobiles, and constructed a parking deck, further enhancing our community’s development.
Al Thurman, Mayor, City of Powder Springs
Powder Springs is one of the fastest-growing cities in Cobb County because of the available land. For the downtown areas, we are looking towards seniors and young adults who will be investing in the city and those who want to be in that downtown environment. We are trying to approach things from not just one dimension of people but also the young, old, and families.
We opened up a brand-new skate park and had professional skaters come out as part of the grand opening. It is a champion trial skate park and it is the only one of its kind in the country right now. We have some new apartments coming into the city right now and they are likely going to be the model for future apartments to come. We are also on the way with a brand new city hall that is being built, so several things are going on with the city.
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