This 2014 State of the Region report explores at a host of information to tell a data-driven story about metro Atlanta. Naturally, we look at the "hard" data such as demographic and socioeconomic data, and while these data tell a compelling story, they tell an incomplete story. For the second consecutive year, ARC and our community partners have conducted the Metro Atlanta Speaks survey to glean residents’ preferences for a number of policy options and their assessments of overall quality of life in the Atlanta area.

1. Atlanta Regional Commission
For more information, contact:
mcarnathan@atlantaregional.com

2. Despite the Great Recession, metro Atlanta has still added the 7th most new residents since 2010, up more than 236,000 new residents between 2010-2013.
Demographics: Metro Atlanta Still Among Fastest Growing Metros
Population Change, 2010-2013
Source: U.S. Census

3. How would you rate the Atlanta area as a place to live? (2014)
Excellent, 13%
Good, 50%
Fair, 30%
Poor, 6%
DK, 2%
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
DK
Almost two-thirds of the respondents to the 2014 Metro Atlanta Speaks Survey think that metro Atlanta is an “excellent” or “good” place to live. This rate declined slightly- going from 68% of respondents choosing “excellent” or “good” in 2013 down to 63% this year, something that bears watching in subsequent years
Metro Atlanta Speaks Survey: Residents happy living in metro Atlanta
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
DK
2013
2014
How would you rate the Atlanta area as a place to live? (2014 Compared to 2013)
Source: 2014 Metro Atlanta Speaks survey

4. 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Redevelop older areas
Continue to build new suburbs
Other/ DK
2013
2014
Which would be the best way to accommodate growth during the next 20 years?
As the region continues to grow, there is a strong consensus as to how the region should accommodate this growth. Two out of every three respondents believe redevelopment of old areas is the best way to accommodate new growth as opposed to building new suburbs. Interestingly, though, in last year’s survey, a higher percentage of respondents chose the redevelopment option, while a lower percentage chose the “build new suburbs” options. This warrants more attention moving forward as this could be a response to better perceptions of the economy (meaning that people are more optimistic), thus the option to “build new” may be more possible and palatable.
Metro Atlanta Speaks Survey: Accommodate new growth through redevelopment
Source: 2014 and 2013 Metro Atlanta Speaks surveys

5. Almost 30 percent of metro Atlanta’s population is under the age of 20, making it one of the youngest metros in the southeast and nation.
Demographics: Metro Atlanta still a relatively young place
% of Population Under Age 20, 2013
Source: U.S. Census (2013 American Community Survey)

6. Metro Atlanta Speaks: Metro Atlanta’s post- secondary schools give the region an advantage
Three out of every four respondents believe Atlanta’s many world-class institutions of higher learning gave the area a competitive advantage.
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree
DK
Metro Atlanta’s post-secondary institutions give the region a competitive advantage…. Agree?
Source: 2014 Metro Atlanta Speaks survey

7. Percent of Adult Population (25+) With At Least A Bachelor’s Degree, 2013
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Metro Atlanta ranks in the top 10 for the most educated places among the largest metros, with 35 percent of its adult population having earned at least a Bachelor’s degree. This, in addition to having a relatively young population, is a good position to be in as metro Atlanta continues to create more “new economy” jobs.
Education: Metro Atlanta an educated place
Source: U.S. Census (2013 American Community Survey)

8. Education: Metro Atlanta on wrong side of education gap
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
The education gap is a measure that compares the amount of education the average job opening requires to the education attained by the average worker. Despite having a highly educated population in Atlanta, the average job opening demands an educational level that is 6.4% larger than the education attained by the average worker.
Source: Brookings Institution

9. Metro Atlanta Speaks: Residents aware of the region’s public education shortcomings
Source: 2014 Metro Atlanta Speaks Survey
Excellent, 6%
Good, 31%
Fair, 36%
Poor, 22%
DK, 4%
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
DK
Part of the education gap illustrated on the previous slide can be traced back to K-12 public education in the region. Only about 71 percent of students graduate from high school in the Atlanta region. Therefore, only 37 percent of respondents rate Atlanta’s public education as “excellent” or “good”. A lot of these perceptions change depending on where one lives. Also, LOCAL school districts received higher marks.
How would you rate public education in the Atlanta area AS A WHOLE? (2014)

10. Atlanta is a place where you could easily live throughout your senior years... Agree?
Strongly agree, 26%
Somewhat agree, 38%
Somewhat disagree, 19%
Strongly disagree, 15%
DK, 2%
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree
DK
At the other end of the age spectrum, metro Atlanta’s aging population is growing rapidly because Baby Boomers are retiring in great numbers. Some 65 percent of survey respondents either “strongly agreed” or “somewhat agreed” that Atlanta is a place where they could easily live throughout their senior years.
Metro Atlanta Speaks: Residents feel comfortable “aging in place” in metro Atlanta
Source: 2014 Metro Atlanta Speaks survey

11. Which is the Greatest Challenge to Growing Old in Metro Atlanta?
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Other
DK
Having to move
Financial resources
Locating other services
Housing
Transportation
Respondents indicated that Transportation and Housing are the biggest problems with growing old in Atlanta. This speaks directly to the challenges the region faces in preparing for a significantly older population in the future and our ability and need to fund transportation solutions going forward.
Metro Atlanta Speaks: Like the rest of us, older adults worry about transportation
Source: 2014 Metro Atlanta Speaks survey

12. Job losses in Atlanta were steeper than in most other large metro areas during the Great Recession, and the impact lingered longer. However, while metro Atlanta still has fewer jobs today than pre-recession, the job market is recovering briskly. Over the past year, metro Atlanta has added 54,000 jobs, the 7th largest growth in the nation.
Economy: Metro Atlanta among leaders in job gains
Job Change, 2013-2014 (thru August)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

13. How would you rate job opportunities in the Metro Atlanta area?
7%
29%
36%
20%
8%
7%
36%
36%
17%
4%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
DK
2013
2014
Metro Atlanta residents are seeing improvements to the local economy. 43% of respondents rated job opportunities as “excellent” or “good” this year- seven percentage points higher than last year’s survey response. This is another sign that perceptions are aligning with reality.
Metro Atlanta Speaks: Residents more optimistic about job opportunities
Source: 2014 and 2013 Metro Atlanta Speaks surveys

14. Metro Atlanta Job Postings, 2007-2013
209,970
231,716
335,123
362,035
384,410
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
2007
2010
2011
2012
2013
Postings Growth between 2007 and 2013
83.1%
39.8%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
ATL
Nation
Another way to look at economic recovery is to consider job openings. There has been an 83 percent growth rate in total job postings between 2007 and 2013 in Atlanta. This is more than double the national rate of growth.
Economy: Job postings in metro Atlanta outstripping those nationwide
Source: Labor Insight/Jobs (Burning Glass)

15. Compared to other metropolitan areas, how would you rate the economy of Metro Atlanta?
Much better, 11%
Slightly better, 28%
About the same, 38%
Slightly worse, 15%
Much worse, 5%
DK, 4%
Much better
Slightly better
About the
same
Slightly worse
Much worse
DK
Respondents are not fully convinced Atlanta’s economy has recovered, however.
Only 39 percent of survey respondents rated it as “much better” or “slightly better” than other metro areas. This is essentially unchanged from last year’s survey results on this question.
Metro Atlanta Speaks: Residents still skeptical about metro Atlanta’s economy
Source: 2014 Metro Atlanta Speaks survey

16. Change in Gross Domestic Product ($000,000), 2010-2013 (in 2009 chained dollars)
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
Metro Atlanta has the 10th largest economy in the nation in terms of GDP, which is the value of all things produced in the area. But since 2010, it ranks 17th out of 25 in GDP change between 2010 and 2013.
Economy: Metro Atlanta’s economy still has challenges
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

17. 0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
First-Line Supervisors of Office/Admin Workers
Software Quality Assurance Engineers and Testers
Combined Food Prep/Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
Accountants
Management Analysts
Database Administrators
First-Line Supervisors of Food Prep/Serving Workers
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
General and Operations Managers
Secretaries and Admins, not Legal, Medical, and Executive
Human Resources Specialists
Computer User Support Specialists
Medical and Health Services Managers
Marketing Managers
Managers, All Other
Sales Managers
Customer Service Representatives
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Computer Systems Analysts
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
Sales Representatives, Wholesale/Manu, not Tech/Scientific Products
Registered Nurses
Retail Salespersons
Software Developers, Applications
Metro Atlanta Job Postings, Last Six Months
Economy: Metro Atlanta’s economy relies on innovation
Metro Atlanta’s economy has a diverse job base, and because it is not overly reliant one sector, it can weather shocks to a particular segment of the economy better than other metro areas. New job sectors are also encouraging. “Old Economy” jobs, like retail and truck drivers, are still in demand. The most sought after occupation over the last six months, however, is software developers.
Source: Labor Insight/ Jobs (Burning Glass)

18. Software Developer postings per capita, last six months
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Riverside
Portland
San Antonio
Miami
Houston
Phoenix
Minneapolis
Los Angeles
Tampa
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
St. Louis, MO
New York
Charlotte
San Diego
Detroit
Dallas
Baltimore
Chicago
Atlanta
Denver
Boston
Washington
San Francisco
Seattle
Over the past 6 months, more than 11,000 software developer positions have been posted in Metro Atlanta. Compared to the 25 most populous metros in the nation, metro Atlanta ranks 6th in these postings on a per capita basis.
Innovation: “New Economy” jobs in high demand
Source: Labor Insights (Burning Glass)

19. Digital Media and Gaming Job postings per capita, last six months
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Portland
Riverside
San Antonio
Houston
Miami
Pittsburgh
Minneapolis
Tampa
Phoenix
Philadelphia
St. Louis, MO
Detroit
Los Angeles
Charlotte
Baltimore
San Diego
Atlanta
Dallas
New York
Chicago
Denver
Boston
Seattle
Washington
San Francisco
Metro Atlanta has emerged as a key hub for Digital Media and Gaming jobs, as there have been almost 10,000 job openings over the past six months. Metro Atlanta ranks 9th out of 25 in job postings per capita.
Innovation: Metro Atlanta a hub for digital media
Source: Labor Insight/Jobs (Burning Glass)

20. Percent Change in Patents, 2000-2011
-50.0%
0.0%
50.0%
100.0%
150.0%
200.0%
250.0%
Metro Atlanta ranks 5th in percent growth in the number of patents issued between 2000 and 2011.
Innovation: Metro Atlanta catching up fast in patents
Source: U.S. Trade and Patent Office

21. Compared to other areas, how would you rate the metro Atlanta as a place to start business?
Much better, 17%
Slightly better, 27%
About the same, 35%
Slightly worse, 10%
Much worse, 5%
DK, 7%
Much better
Slightly better
About the same
Slightly worse
Much worse
DK
Georgia is one of the most business-friendly states in the nation, and 44% of respondents said metro Atlanta was a “much better” or “slightly better” place than other areas to start a business. Granted, most people don’t start their own business, but the perception is that starting a business is relatively easy in metro Atlanta. This perception indicates a good environment for additional start-ups.
Metro Atlanta Speaks: Residents aware of metro Atlanta’s business-friendly reputation
Source: 2014 Metro Atlanta Speaks survey

22. Which is the biggest problem facing residents in the Metro Atlanta area?
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Transportation
Economy
Crime
Public Education
Human Services
Taxes
Public Health
Other
Race Relations
DK
2013
2014
Metro Atlanta Speaks: Traffic #1 concern
To be a world-class place today, cities must have world-class infrastructure. However, keeping up with current growth patterns and expanding the infrastructure we have is challenging. Simply put, resources are not keeping up with need, and this is clear to metro Atlanta residents. “Traffic” was rated as the top concern for 2014 survey respondents, supplanting “Economy” as the issue that concerns residents most. And this makes sense – as the economy improves, it becomes less of a concern, but traffic is a constant.
Source: 2014 and 2013 Metro Atlanta Speaks surveys

23. Congestion Cost per Auto Commuter, 2011
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
Time wasted in traffic is expensive, and in 2011, the average metro Atlanta commuter spent more than $1,100 sitting in traffic, ranking as the 7th highest in the nation.
Infrastructure: There is a reason why “Transportation” is the top concern in 2014…
Source: Texas Transportation Institute

24. What would be the best long-term solution to the traffic problems in Metro Atlanta?
Expand public transit, 42%
Improve roads/ highways, 28%
Develop communities live close to work, 21%
Do nothing, 5%
DK, 4%
Expand public transit
Improve roads/
highways
Develop communities
live close to work
Do nothing
DK
To fix traffic and congestion issues in Metro Atlanta, 42 percent of respondents favored the expansion of public transit, a higher percentage of respondents than those who chose improvement of roads/highways (28 percent).
Metro Atlanta Speaks: Residents think expansion of public transit is best solution
Source: 2014 Metro Atlanta Speaks survey

25. How important for Metro Atlanta’s future is an improved public transit system, including buses and trains?
Very important 70%
Somewhat important 22%
Not important at all 7%
DK 1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
A vast majority of respondents, some 70 percent, indicated that an improved public transit system is “very important” for the future of metro Atlanta.
Metro Atlanta Speaks: Residents really do think a public transit system is important
Source: 2014 Metro Atlanta Speaks survey

26. Per Capita Water Use (Gallons Per Day)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Of course, there is more to infrastructure than just roads. It really wouldn’t matter how good our transportation infrastructure was if we didn’t have a safe and secure water supply. Atlanta has a limited water supply and must rely on water conservation strategies. Fortunately, since 2000, per capita water usage has dropped more than 20 percent.
Infrastructure: Metro Atlanta takes water conservation seriously
Source: Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District

27. How important is it for people to take steps to conserve water in their homes?
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Very important
Somewhat important
Not important at all
DK
Actions speak louder words, but metro Atlanta residents back what they say unequivocally. Seven out of 10 respondents agree that water conservation in their homes is “very important” and another 27 percent said it is “somewhat important”. Almost no one answered “not important at all.”
Metro Atlanta Speaks: Residents really do think water conservation is important
Source: Metro Atlanta Speaks survey

28. Creative Establishments per 1,000 population, 2011
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2
There are almost 500 non-profit organizations involved with arts and culture in the Atlanta region, and some 92,000 people are employed in creative industry sectors (for-profit). Overall, metro Atlanta ranks 8th out of the top 25 peer metros in the number of creative establishments per capita.
Quality of Life: Arts & Culture thriving in metro Atlanta
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (accessed through Benchmarking Central Ohio)

29. How satisfied are you with the availability of arts and culture? How satisfied are you with the availability of parks and greenspace?
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Very satisfied
Satisfied
Unsatisfied
Very unsatisfied
DK
Arts & Culture
Parks & Greenspace
Almost eight in 10 respondents indicated they were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with arts and culture and more than 80 percent “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the availability of parks and greenspace in metro Atlanta..
Metro Atlanta Speaks: Residents enjoy metro Atlanta’s amenities
Source: 2014 Metro Atlanta Speaks survey