City of Atlanta CDP

Preface

3 Demographics

Population

The City’s population ⁱ is increasing steadily. Although the population decreased by 70,017 persons between 1970 and 1980 (see Figure 3.1 ‘40-Year Population Trends for Atlanta’), it has increased each year since 1990. According to the Bureau of Census, the City of Atlanta’s April 1, 2000 population was 416,474 persons. Approximately 98% (411,297 persons) of the City’s residents indicated that they were of one race. Of the one race group, 138,352 persons (34%) indicated that they were White, 255,689 persons (62%) indicated that they were Black or African-American, 8,046 persons (2%) indicated that they were Asian; with the remaining groups being of other races. Of the two largest groups, Whites increased by 13% between 1990 and 2000, while Blacks or African-Americans declined by about 3% during the same period. The number of Hispanic Origin persons more than doubled between 1990 and 2000, going from 7,640 in 1990 to 18,720 in 2000. Primary areas of growth seem to be Buckhead, Downtown, and Midtown. The long-term forecast continues to show a moderate growth. By the year 2010, it is estimated that approximately 478,823 persons will reside in the City.

Figure 3.1 40-Year Population Trends for Atlanta (Popup full image)

Sources: U.S. Census; 1970, 1980 and 1990 National Data Planning Corporation, 1985 Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), (estimates 1991-1995), (1987 forecasts for the years 2000-2010, with interpolation by the Bureau of Planning)

Table 3.1 Growth Rates Comparison Between City and State
	1970-1975	1975-1980	1980-1985	1985-1990	1990-1995	1995-2000	2000-2005	2005-2010
City of Atlanta	-7%	-8%	1%	-4%	1%	6%	4%	3%
Georgia	10%	8%	8%	10%	8%	7%	7%	5%
Sources: U.S. Census, 1970 and 1980 Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), 1990, with interpolation by the Bureau of Planning - Woods and Poole Economics

The City’s population is becoming more mature. Due to lower birthrates, the number of young children has declined significantly during the past decade. Persons in the age range of 35-54 were the fastest growing segment of the population, increasing in number by nearly 50%. The percent in the age group of 14 or younger is decreasing and increasing in the age of 65 and up. Long-range trends, including lower birthrates and household sizes, suggest that adults in the 15-44 age range will represent more than 1 in 4 of the City’s residents by the year 2005 (see Table 3.2 ‘City’s Population by Age Group’).

Table 3.2 City’s Population by Age Group
Ages	1975	1980	1985	1990	1995	2000	2005	2010
0-4	37,275	30,015	29,534	29,064	29,495	26,666	32,378	33,508
5-14	75,699	62,332	63,286	62,280	63,202	52,409	69,381	71,809
15-24	91,861	86,147	84,382	83,040	84,270	69,205	92,509	95,747
25-34	74,874	79,321	80,163	78,888	80,057	82,083	87,883	90,959
35-44	49,669	45,511	46,410	45,672	46,348	64,632	50,880	52,666
45-54	44,877	37,587	37,972	37,368	37,921	50,178	41,629	43,086
55-64	40,000	35,104	33,753	33,216	33,708	30,766	37,006	38,302
65-up	47,116	49,005	46,410	46,410	46,349	40,535	50,880	52,746
TOTAL	461,371	425,022	421,910	415,200	421,350	416,474	462,546	478,823
Sources: U.S. Census, 1980 and 2000; 1990 National Planning Data Corporation (1970). ARC interpolation by the Bureau of Planning (1990-2010)

The City’s non-Caucasian population is believed to be decreasing slightly and its Caucasian and Asian population is increasing (see Table 3.3 ‘City’s Population by Race’). Long-term trends in the United States indicate that the relative proportion of Caucasians, in the total population, will continue to decline and this pattern may be experienced within the City. The relative proportion of African-Americans within the City is projected to be above 65% through the Year 2010.

Table 3.3 City’s Population by Race
Race	1980	1985	1990	1995	2000	2005	2010
Caucasian	136,500	136,948	126,405	126,405	138,352	129,328	158,011
Black	279,323	286,310	289,076	294,945	255,689	316,630	320,812
Other	9,199	8,353	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Sources: U.S. Census 1990 and 2000; National Decision Systems (2000); National Planning Data Corporation (1995). Atlanta Regional Commission and the Bureau of Planning 2010

In determining level of service or measuring the impact of certain new developments, the City uses the concept of “functional population” which calculates the “full-time population equivalent”, rather than using the actual resident or employee population (see Appendix, Impacts Fee Policies,” “Functional Population”). Since non-residents place substantial demand on some facilities, the functional populations, which factors in the influx of nonresidents, gives a more accurate measure of level of service-i.e. facilities per population-and development impact on the population being serves. Long term trends such as the aging of the population, smaller housing units, the need to concentrate development in developed areas serves by existing infrastructure and the perceived quality of the public school system are all factors that impact the City’s future population. The City is committed to monitoring these trends and to recommending public policies that will address problems or allow us to take advantage of opportunities.

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