Summary Background

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

DEMOGRAPHICS

Population

The estimated population of Northwest Georgia was 927,899 in 2020. The Georgia’s Office of Planning and Budgeting expects the region’s population to increase at an annual rate of 0.78% over the next four years to reach a projected population in 2024 of 960,766. This growth rate, although lower than the historic rate for the region, is more than the anticipated growth rate of the United States according to the Census Bureau.

Northwest Georgia is a predominately rural region; however, the northern counties are part of the Chattanooga MSA and the southern

counties are within parts of the Atlanta metropolitan area. These counties, and those located along the I-75 corridor, continue to experience elevated population growth relative to other counties in the region. Paulding and Bartow counties continue to grow at a considerably higher rate than the rest of the region due to their location within commuting distance of the Metro Atlanta area. Likewise, Pickens and Gilmer counties are also experiencing elevated growth due to the construction of Highway 515, which connected these formerly rural counties to jobs in northern Atlanta.

Age

The median age in northwest Georgia is 39.4 years; a significant increase from the 2016 median age of 38.1 years. According to the Area Agency on Aging the aging population in the region has been growing significantly faster in recent years than the state average of 19.9%. The Governor’s office of Planning and budget has projected an increase in the senior population age 60+ of 58% by 2040. The 80-84 age group is expected to be the fastest growing population segment in northwest Georgia by percentage with a projected growth rate more than doubled by 2040. Murray and Paulding counties are expected to experience higher growth in the aging population at 85% and 213% respectively. The aging of the region’s population is especially concerning as much of the region is rural, limiting access to aging and long term-care services. The aging of northwest Georgia’s population also poses significant concerns for today’s workforce. As an elevated number of retirements are expected in the coming years, many employers are concerned about finding replacements with comparable skills, leadership ability, and management experience.

Race

According to U.S. Census Bureau, the white race represented 74.28% of the region’s population in 2020, a decline from 84.10% in 2010. The region’s 2020 white share was considerably higher than that for the state (50.06%) and nation (57.84%). The region’s black or African American share of total population increased from 7.94% in 2010 to 8.93% in 2020. The region’s 2020 black or African American share was considerably lower than that for the state (30.60%) and nation (12.05%). As compared to 2010, the percentage of the population that is Asian or of two or more races went up, while the percentage that is American Indian or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, or some other race went down slightly.

The Census Bureau does not include Hispanic as a race. The census accounts for this population under ethnicity. Consequently, persons of Hispanic or Latino origin comprise portions of more than one racial group. The region’s Hispanic or Latino population accounted for 11.34% of the total in 2020, up from 9.54% in 2010. The 2020 share was higher than that of the state (10.49%) but lower than that of the nation (18.73%).

The retiring Baby Boomers created a significant management and experience gap, with Generation Xers, who make up a much smaller portion of the region’s population, not able to fill all vacated positions. Millennials are the largest living generation in the United States and have now fully entered the workforce with Generation Z beginning to graduate college and starting their first professional jobs. The influx of Millennials into the workforce created challenges with priorities and desires for employment that were at odds with the previous generations. Generation Z has brought new priorities to their professions and challenges of their own.

Contact NORTHWEST GEORGIA REGIONAL COMMISSION

CONTACT US

Northwest Georgia Regional Commission

NWGRC Community & Economic Development

1 Jackson Hill - Rome, Georgia 30161

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