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RS MAS 2019 Final LB for Blog
1. Perceptions of Life in Metro Atlanta
Jim Skinner
jskinner@atlantaregional.org
November 2019
2. 2019 Headlines
Transportation stays the #1 concern, with same share as 2018
Transit support remains strong but support for funding slips
• Nearly 49 percent of respondents chose “expand public transit” as the best long-term fix to traffic challenges,
which is comparable to the highest percentage in the five years of asking this question.
• 46 percent of respondents would be willing to pay more in taxes to expand public transit, a decline from 50
percent in 2018 and 51 percent in 2017.
Economy is in good shape broadly, but there are problems related to inequality
• Just 7 percent of respondents ranked the economy as the biggest problem, which is up a tad from 6 percent last
year but down from 24 percent in 2013.
• Some 30 percent of respondents would struggle paying for an unexpected financial emergency of $400.
• There is growing concern about adequacy of low-income services and programs.
Workforce Willing to Grow, if they know (how to and where to)
• 75 percent feel their skills and education are used in their present job; only 9% fear automation.
• Training is the preferred alternative for workforce investment, followed by affordable housing and transportation.
• Over 8 in 10 respondents would seek training for a better job, but a lower share (six in ten) know where to find
that training.
3. Headlines (continued)
Neighborhood Change (Linked to Housing Affordability) = Stress Point
• General affordability is declining over time.
• Only 11 percent (last year) thought they were NOT paying too much for housing.
• Nearly 75 percent are seeing at least some neighborhood change in the past three to four years.
• 68 percent live in areas experiencing property flipping, in which homes are being remodeled to be sold or rented
at higher prices.
• 57 percent of respondents said older homes in their communities are being replaced by new, more expensive
housing.
• Nearly half (46 percent) of metro Atlanta residents said that if they had to move today, they could not afford to
stay in their communities.
• A much lower share is seeing a rapidly shifting business environment.
Core Strengths Remain and Optimism “Looking Up”
• With the changes (see above), still very little tension between neighbors.
• Neighbors are seen as willing to help each other, and there are reports of stable community involvement.
• Crime is down as a stated “biggest problem”, and perception of community safety generally stable.
• Atlanta metro is still seen as a good place to raise kids (2 in 3), and the share is ticking up.
• Share that think things will be better in the next 3-4 years is up, compared to last year.
4. TRANSPORTATION
• Transportation stays the #1 concern, with same share as 2018
• In 2019, a quarter of respondents indicated that they frequently lack
transportation to get where they need to go.
• Nearly 49 percent of respondents chose “expand public transit” as
the best long-term fix to traffic challenges, which is comparable to
the highest percentage in the five years of asking this question
• 46 percent of respondents would be willing to pay more in taxes to
expand public transit, a decline from 50 percent in 2018 and 51
percent in 2017.
5. Biggest Problem Facing Residents
of Metro Atlanta in 2019
2%
4%
6%
4%
6%
24%
3%
13%
17%
21%
4%
4%
8%
7%
5%
7%
9%
10%
18%
28%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
Race Relations
DK
Taxes
Public Health
Other
Economy
Human
Services
Public
Education
Crime
Transportation
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Transportation remains the
top concern of the 5,400+
respondents to the 2019
Metro Atlanta Speaks survey.
6. Change in Perceptions of the Region’s
Biggest Problem: 2013 to 2019
The decline of concern about the local economy has been the biggest change over the history of the
survey. In 2013, almost 25 percent of respondents chose economy as the top concern. This year, 7
percent chose it — a lower share than those (8 percent) choosing taxes.
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Economy
Human Services
Public Education
Crime
Transportation
Taxes
7. Biggest Problem Facing Residents of Metro Atlanta in 2019 (by County)
(Sorted by “Transportation” Responses)
12.7%
20.5%
21.6%
21.8%
21.8%
23.1%
23.9%
26.9%
28.0%
28.2%
28.6%
29.8%
30.8%
37.8%
28.0%
5.0%
5.5%
2.8%
3.5%
5.1%
3.2%
4.2%
4.7%
4.8%
5.5%
2.8%
7.3%
1.8%
4.5%
4.3%
21.7%
5.3%
3.2%
5.5%
7.5%
8.2%
6.2%
10.2%
4.3%
2.5%
6.5%
7.3%
3.3%
5.3%
7.1%
21.9%
21.3%
25.6%
33.0%
24.0%
19.7%
25.2%
18.5%
22.3%
22.4%
20.9%
10.5%
14.8%
14.5%
18.3%
11.5%
4.3%
4.0%
5.0%
4.7%
6.5%
8.7%
6.2%
9.3%
9.5%
4.4%
7.5%
6.3%
9.8%
7.1%
8.0%
9.3%
12.8%
12.5%
9.5%
9.5%
8.5%
7.5%
8.5%
14.0%
12.0%
9.5%
12.5%
7.0%
9.7%
7.2%
16.3%
8.8%
5.0%
7.3%
10.3%
7.7%
9.7%
10.3%
5.2%
6.7%
9.5%
12.5%
7.3%
8.7%
4.7%
5.0%
9.6%
2.3%
9.5%
9.5%
8.5%
9.7%
5.0%
5.0%
9.2%
5.3%
5.8%
9.0%
7.6%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Clayton
Henry
Butts
Douglas
City of Atlanta
DeKalb
Paulding
Rockdale
Coweta
Fayette
Fulton
Cobb
Cherokee
Gwinnett
ARC Region
Transp Race Relations Economy Crime Public Health Public Education Human Services Taxes Other DK
Eight of the 14 jurisdictions in the survey ranked transportation as the biggest problem. Gwinnett’s
high share is particularly notable. For the other six counties, crime was rated the biggest problem,
though in the case of Clayton, “crime” and “the economy” are in a statistical dead heat for the
biggest problem.
8. Most Likely to Say that
Transportation is the #1 Issue?
• Residents of Gwinnett,
Cherokee, and Cobb
• Those with at least a
bachelor’s degree
• Those with higher incomes
• Residents age 35-49 (barely)
• White Respondents
9. "I Frequently Lack Transportation to Get to
Places I Need to Go...” (2018)
From 2016 to 2019, a range of a quarter to 30 percent of respondents indicated that
they frequently lack transportation to get where they need to go.
3.2% 2.3% 1.7% 1.1%
10.5%
8.0% 11.5%
7.7%
18.9%
18.7%
18.4%
17.5%
37.0% 41.7% 35.9%
35.8%
30.4% 29.3% 32.5%
37.8%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
2016 2017 2018 2019
DK Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
10. "I Frequently Lack Transportation to Get to Places I Need to Go...”
by Jurisdiction, 2019 (Sorted by Strongly Agree + Agree Responses)
Overall, roughly 25 percent of respondents (down from 30 percent last year) indicated that they
frequently lack transportation to get where they need to go, but in jurisdictions such as DeKalb County
(37 percent) and Clayton (30.5 percent), the percentages are significantly higher.
33.4%
25.8%
43.1%
42.8%
36.5%
33.6%
41.0%
43.1%
33.1%
43.3%
28.8%
35.9%
40.8%
42.8%
37.8%
28.8%
40.5%
28.6%
29.4%
36.0%
39.8%
35.5%
33.4%
45.1%
35.0%
50.0%
43.9%
40.3%
39.3%
35.8%
22.7%
25.0%
19.5%
19.7%
18.8%
15.3%
17.0%
14.0%
15.0%
14.3%
15.2%
12.5%
13.0%
12.3%
7.7%
14.3%
5.5%
8.1%
7.4%
8.0%
10.5%
5.0%
7.0%
6.3%
6.0%
5.6%
4.7%
5.0%
5.3%
17.5%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
DeKalb
Clayton
City of Atlanta
Fulton
Rockdale
Henry
Fayette
Coweta
Gwinnett
Cobb
Butts
Douglas
Paulding
Cherokee
ARC Region
Strongly Disagree Disagree Strongly Agree Agree DK
11. Most Likely to Indicate Having Problems with
Accessing Needed Transportation (2019)…
• Residents of the City of Atlanta,
Clayton, and DeKalb
• Seniors and millennials
• Those with lower levels of
education, income
• Black respondents
• Renters
• The unemployed
• South of I-20
12. 4.1%
5.5%
15.1%
27.6%
47.7%
4.1%
4.3%
15.0%
28.8%
47.8%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
DK
Do nothing
Develop
communities live
close to work
Improve roads/
highways
Expand public
transit
2019
2018
Best Way to Fix Traffic? (2018-2019)
Nearly half of respondents felt that
expanding public transit was the “best
way to fix traffic,” while another
quarter of respondents felt improving
roads & highways was the best traffic
fix.
13. A plurality of regional respondents indicated that expanding public transit is the best long-term solution to traffic,
with most of the region’s counties following the same trend, led by DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett at over 50 percent
favoring transit. However, in Paulding, Henry, and Butts, the largest share felt that improving roads and highways was
the best long-term solution to traffic.
Best Long-term Solution to Traffic? (2019)
26.4%
33.2%
34.5%
39.3%
39.5%
39.5%
39.6%
40.5%
41.0%
47.1%
47.5%
50.8%
50.8%
58.3%
47.8%
38.4%
46.1%
40.3%
28.0%
36.8%
30.3%
35.6%
35.3%
28.8%
29.5%
24.3%
29.0%
27.5%
21.9%
28.8%
15.2%
13.5%
15.8%
20.0%
15.3%
18.8%
13.8%
12.0%
22.8%
15.7%
16.5%
13.0%
14.0%
14.5%
15.0%
1.6%
4.7%
5.3%
6.5%
5.0%
5.0%
6.5%
9.0%
3.3%
3.4%
6.5%
3.8%
2.8%
3.0%
4.3%
18.4%
2.5%
4.3%
6.3%
3.5%
6.5%
4.5%
3.3%
4.3%
4.2%
5.3%
3.5%
4.9%
2.3%
4.1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Butts
Henry
Paulding
Fayette
Cherokee
Rockdale
Douglas
Coweta
Clayton
City of Atlanta
Cobb
Gwinnett
Fulton
DeKalb
ARC Region
Expand Public Transit Improve Roads and Highways Develop Communities in Which People Live Close to Where They Work Do Nothing DK
14. Most Likely to Indicate “Expanding Public Transit” as
the Best Long-Term Fix to Traffic Problems…(19)
• Residents of DeKalb, Fulton,
Gwinnett
• Minorities
• Shorter-Term Residents
• Higher Educational Attainment
• North of I-20
15. Strongly Agree,
13.4%
Agree, 32.6%
Disagree, 26.0%
Strongly
Disagree, 26.9%
DK, 1.1%
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree DK
46 percent of respondents indicated
that they are willing to pay more in
taxes to expand public transit that
includes buses and rail. This year, the
share strongly disagreeing has
increased while the share strongly
agreeing has decreased.
“I am Willing to Pay More in Taxes to Fund
Expanded Regional Public Transit that Includes
Buses and Rail.” (2019)
16. Almost half of respondents
indicated that they are willing
to pay more in taxes to
expand public transit that
includes buses and rail.
Strongly
Agree,
15.4%
Agree,
34.5%Disagree,
26.0%
Strongly
Disagree,
22.4%
DK, 1.6%
“I am Willing to Pay More in Taxes to Fund
Expanded Regional Public Transit that Includes
Buses and Rail.” (2018)
17. “I am Willing to Pay More in Taxes to Fund Expanded Regional
Public Transit that Includes Buses and Rail.”
(2019, Strongly Agree or Agree, by Jurisdiction)
26.8%
33.5%
35.0%
36.1%
38.5%
38.5%
39.5%
41.3%
43.5%
44.5%
46.0%
48.0%
48.3%
52.2%
55.9%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Butts
Paulding
Coweta
Rockdale
Cherokee
Fayette
Henry
Douglas
Clayton
Cobb
13 Co
Gwinnett
Fulton
City of Atlanta
DeKalb
Overall, 46 percent of respondents
were willing to pay higher taxes for
expanded regional transit, down
from 50 percent in 2017.
Respondents from DeKalb (55.9%)
the City of Atlanta (52.2%), and
Fulton (48.3%) counties show the
greatest willingness to pay.
19. More likely to be willing to pay more taxes to
fund expanded regional transit…
• Residents of the City of Atlanta,
DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett
• Younger cohorts
–58% willing in 18-34 age group
–Down to 37% for age 65+
• More highly educated
• Residents newer to the metro area
(<10 years)
• Renters
20. ECONOMY AND WORKFORCE
• 7% of respondents selected “the economy” as the region’s biggest
problem, up from 6% last year, but down from 24% in 2013
• Some 30 percent of respondents would struggle paying for an unexpected
financial emergency of $400.
• There is growing concern about adequacy of low-income services and
programs.
• 75 percent feel their skills and education are used in their present job;
only 9% fear automation.
• Training is the preferred alternative for workforce investment, followed by
affordable housing and transportation.
• Over 8 in 10 would seek training for a better job, but a lower share (60%)
know where to find that training.
21. Percent of Respondents Choosing “Economy”
As Region’s Biggest Problem (2013-2019)
24%
20%
15%
12%
9%
6%
7%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
In 2013, the economy was selected
as the #1 concern. As the economy
improved, it dropped as a top
concern to 6 percent in 2018, and
only just ticked up to 7 percent this
year.
22. Percent of Respondents by County Choosing “Economy”
As Region’s Biggest Problem (2019)
In only two counties (Clayton and Rockdale) did double-digit shares of respondents
select the economy as the #1 concern. In four counties — all suburban and exurban —
less than 5 percent chose “ the economy” as the biggest problem.
12.7%
20.5%
21.6%
21.8%
21.8%
23.1%
23.9%
26.9%
28.0%
28.2%
28.6%
29.8%
30.8%
37.8%
28.0%
5.0%
5.5%
2.8%
3.5%
5.1%
3.2%
4.2%
4.7%
4.8%
5.5%
2.8%
7.3%
1.8%
4.5%
4.3%
21.7%
5.3%
3.2%
5.5%
7.5%
8.2%
6.2%
10.2%
4.3%
2.5%
6.5%
7.3%
3.3%
5.3%
7.1%
21.9%
21.3%
25.6%
33.0%
24.0%
19.7%
25.2%
18.5%
22.3%
22.4%
20.9%
10.5%
14.8%
14.5%
18.3%
11.5%
4.3%
4.0%
5.0%
4.7%
6.5%
8.7%
6.2%
9.3%
9.5%
4.4%
7.5%
6.3%
9.8%
7.1%
8.0%
9.3%
12.8%
12.5%
9.5%
9.5%
8.5%
7.5%
8.5%
14.0%
12.0%
9.5%
12.5%
7.0%
9.7%
7.2%
16.3%
8.8%
5.0%
7.3%
10.3%
7.7%
9.7%
10.3%
5.2%
6.7%
9.5%
12.5%
7.3%
8.7%
4.7%
5.0%
9.6%
2.3%
9.5%
9.5%
8.5%
9.7%
5.0%
5.0%
9.2%
5.3%
5.8%
9.0%
7.6%
0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0% 90.0% 100.0%
Clayton
Henry
Butts
Douglas
City of Atlanta
DeKalb
Paulding
Rockdale
Coweta
Fayette
Fulton
Cobb
Cherokee
Gwinnett
ARC Region
Transp Race Relations Economy Crime Public Health Public Education Human Services Taxes Other DK
23. Methods of Paying for a $400 Financial Emergency (2016-2019)
From 2016-2019, a slowly increasing share indicated they would be able to pay for an emergency with
cash, check, or debit. The other half of respondents would not have resources on hand to pay. Nearly
20 percent would need to rely on credit, and another 14 percent would not be able to pay at all.
49.8% 51.9% 52.0% 54.1%
17.4% 16.0% 19.3% 18.6%
9.7% 9.6%
9.1% 7.3%
6.0% 5.7%
4.2% 3.3%
14.0% 14.0% 13.1% 14.3%
3.0% 2.8% 2.3% 2.4%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
2016 2017 2018 2019
Pay with Cash, Check or Debit Pay with Credit Card Would Borrow Money
Would Sell or Pawn Something Would Not Be Able to Pay Now Don't Know
24. Availability of Programs for Low-Income: MAS 2015-19
11.1%
32.0%
35.1%
17.1%
4.6%
7.4%
27.4%
37.7%
22.8%
4.6%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
DK
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
The answers to the financial emergency question point to a need for assistance for low-income
populations. However, the share of survey respondents rating such services good or better has
consistently declined from 2015 to 2019. This implies a need to increase economic security in our
region through better jobs and higher wages.
25. 7.9% 6.5% 4.6% 6.8% 6.5%
13.8% 12.2% 12.7%
8.9% 11.3% 9.0%
14.6% 14.7% 16.9%
10.4%
8.3% 10.4% 15.6%
16.4% 16.9%
12.1% 14.4% 14.2% 19.2% 17.2% 20.7%
16.0%
19.0%
23.6%
17.5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Fayette Butts Paulding Cherokee Coweta Henry Douglas DeKalb Gwinnett Cobb Fulton Rockdale City of
Atlanta
Clayton ARC Region
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree DK
My current job does not allow me to utilize education and skills
to the fullest extent possible.“ (2019 MAS)
This year’s survey included multiple workforce questions for that reason. Most of the region’s workers (over 70
percent) feel their skills and education are being used fully in their current job. In counties with higher shares of
low-wage workers, the rate of those feeling underutilized in their present job rises to nearly 40 percent.
26. 48.1%
27.5%
30.3%
33.3%
38.8%
48.1%
42.6% 42.2%
33.4% 31.7% 32.7%
47.7% 46.8%
44.9%
39.8%
47.7%
66.8%
62.3%
59.0%
53.5%
44.2%
49.6% 49.8%
57.1% 58.7% 57.0%
40.4% 41.7%
37.3%
50.9%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Douglas Fayette Coweta Cherokee Gwinnett Butts Cobb Henry Fulton City of
Atlanta
Paulding DeKalb Rockdale Clayton ARC Region
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree DK
I am worried that I may lose my job
to some type of automated process… (2019 MAS)
A smaller-than-expected 9 percent regionally fear automation (and loss) of their job. There is little variation among
counties on the whole, but respondents in counties with relatively high concentrations of retail and service jobs (e.g.
Clayton and Rockdale) have higher fear of automation.
27. 22.3% 22.4%
23.0%
24.1%
24.8%
27.3% 27.5% 27.9%
29.9% 30.0%
30.8%
31.7%
33.3%
34.3%
27.7%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Clayton Rockdale City of
Atlanta
Douglas DeKalb Gwinnett Henry Fulton Cobb Paulding Coweta Butts Fayette Cherokee ARC
Region
Provide more affordable housing options Create more training and retraining opportunities
Provide better transportation options to get to/from work Improve K-12 education
Provide better access to higher education DK
Alternative Most Likely to Attract and
Retain Skilled Workforce? (2019 MAS)
A plurality in 10 of 14 surveyed areas believe that more training and retraining would be the best way to better our
workforce, and in all jurisdictions, 1 in 5 or more feel a focus on training would be the best option. In DeKalb, the City of
Atlanta, and Clayton, respondents say that affordable housing is a greater need, and in Gwinnett, more transportation options
ties with the need for training.
28. 31.9%
24.8%
28.4%
40.3%
32.6%
26.8% 29.6%
35.3% 34.9%
41.9%
35.9%
43.6% 40.8%
50.7%
37.3%
42.6%
50.0%
49.7%
38.8%
47.3%
53.5%
51.5%
48.0%
51.7%
45.2%
52.3%
44.7% 48.0%
40.4%
46.4%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Coweta Fayette Butts DeKalb Cobb Cherokee Douglas Paulding Fulton Gwinnett Rockdale Henry City of
Atlanta
Clayton ARC
Region
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree DK
Would Seek Out Training for Better Job Opportunities… (2019 MAS)
Regionally, almost 84 percent would seek out training if it might yield them better jobs. County results are consistent, as
Coweta and Fayette are the only counties in which anywhere close to as many as 1 in 3 workers suggest that they would not
be interested in training.
29. 15.5% 17.7% 16.9% 19.1%
15.6% 17.4% 14.7% 15.9%
21.9%
15.4% 16.3%
23.7%
27.7% 27.4%
18.3%
36.3%
35.1% 37.1%
36.7%
40.5% 38.9% 42.4% 42.4%
37.8%
46.6% 47.2%
44.2%
40.5%
44.2%
42.0%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree DK
I Know Where to Find Job Training Program when I Need One… (2019 MAS)
A lower share know where to find a job program (60 percent) than would seek out training if it might yield them better jobs
(84 percent). Knowledge does seem to lag in several more urban counties (e.g. Clayton, Rockdale, and DeKalb) where training
needs might be greater than in suburbs and exurbs.
30. “Most Likely to”: Workforce Questions
• Not Have Skills Used: Younger,
lower-income, part-time, renters
• Fear Automation: Lower-income
and education, south of I-20
• See Training as Best Investment:
Older workers, those with more
education
• Seek Training: Little
demographic difference
• Not Know Where to Find Training:
Older, longer-term residents,
south of I-20 (barely)
31. HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD CHANGE
• The public thinks that area affordability is declining over time.
• Only 11% (last year) thought they were NOT paying too much for housing.
• Nearly 75% are seeing at least some neighborhood change in the last 3-4 years.
• 68% live in areas experiencing “property flipping,” in which homes are being
remodeled to be sold or rented at higher prices.
• 57% of respondents said older homes in their communities are being replaced by
new, more expensive housing.
• Nearly half (46%) of metro Atlanta residents said that if they had to move today, they
could not afford to stay in their communities.
• A much lower share are seeing a rapidly shifting business environment.
32. Metro Affordability “As Place to Live”: MAS 2015-2019
2.7%
26.4%
35.6%
29.3%
6.0%
1.0%
15.3%
38.8%
37.2%
7.7%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
DK
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent 2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
A declining share of regional residents assess our general area affordability as excellent or good, and that’s from a low
baseline in 2015. By 2019, almost 2 in 3 respondents rated area affordability fair or poor, with the “poor” category
increasing by 11 percentage trends in the five-year period.
33. Metro Affordability “As Place to Live”: MAS 2019
4.0%
2.4%
3.5%
2.5%
6.3%
4.8%
6.0%
8.2%
6.1%
7.0%
4.8%
10.3%
5.0%
7.5%
6.0%
19.0%
22.8%
23.9%
25.5%
26.0%
28.0%
27.8%
26.5%
30.3%
29.7%
32.0%
26.8%
36.1%
33.6%
29.3%
38.0%
27.6%
41.6%
39.0%
45.3%
36.0%
36.5%
29.4%
32.5%
36.4%
36.8%
33.3%
36.1%
39.6%
35.6%
36.3%
36.8%
30.4%
30.3%
21.3%
30.3%
28.5%
32.0%
27.7%
23.2%
23.0%
26.0%
20.3%
16.5%
26.4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Clayton
Butts
Douglas
Henry
Paulding
DeKalb
Rockdale
City of Atlanta
Fulton
Cherokee
Coweta
Cobb
Gwinnett
Fayette
ARC Region
Excellent Good Fair Poor DK
Not surprisingly, affordability is rated more highly in wealthier counties (often suburban) and lower in more urban areas
with higher density and (very often) prices and rents.
36. 9.8% 8.8% 11.0% 10.0%
20.6%
11.5% 10.5%
15.0% 15.0%
24.3% 21.8%
34.7%
29.0% 28.7%
22.3%
25.8% 28.0%
29.0% 33.5%
23.3%
33.3% 35.8%
34.7% 37.6%
34.3% 39.8%
29.0%
35.7%
42.8%
34.2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Rockdale Butts Henry Douglas Clayton Paulding Fayette Coweta Gwinnett Cherokee Cobb DeKalb Fulton City of
Atlanta
ARC
Region
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree DK
"Older homes in the area where I live are being replaced by new,
more expensive housing alternatives.“ (2019 MAS)
When asked specifically about housing price increases change in their areas, a slightly lower share (57 percent regionally)
agreed that older homes were being replaced by more expensive ones. Over 60 percent of residents in the City of Atlanta,
Fulton, and DeKalb saw this happening; under 40 percent said that it was occurring in Henry, Butts, and Rockdale.
37. 14.3%
21.2%
15.0%
19.5% 20.8% 18.9% 18.0%
26.4%
19.0%
28.6% 30.9%
40.3%
35.1%
44.5%
28.1%
37.3%
35.2%
42.3%
40.8% 40.5% 45.0% 47.4%
40.0%
49.0%
39.6%
40.4%
33.6%
39.2%
39.2%
39.6%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Rockdale Butts Henry Fayette Gwinnett Coweta Douglas Cobb Paulding Clayton Cherokee DeKalb Fulton City of AtlantaARC Region
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree DK
"Properties in the area where I live are being bought and remodeled so that
they may be sold or rented for a higher price." (2019 MAS)
“Flipping” seems more prevalent than home replacement, as 68 percent across the region saw homes being remodeled and
sold for a higher price. In the City of Atlanta, over 8 in 10 saw flipping happening. Even in counties with relatively low levels of
permitting (e.g. Fayette, Butts, and Rockdale) over 50 percent said that remodeling and reselling was occurring.
38. 17.3%
14.3%
21.1%
16.7%
20.9%
17.3%
20.7% 19.8% 18.8%
22.9%
14.3%
20.4% 19.3%
32.5%
20.7%
20.3% 26.5%
19.8%
24.4%
21.9%
25.8%
23.2% 24.7% 25.8%
24.0%
32.7%
27.6% 31.5%
23.3%
25.3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Fayette Douglas Cherokee Rockdale Coweta Paulding Cobb Fulton Henry DeKalb Butts City of
Atlanta
Gwinnett Clayton ARC Region
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree DK
"If I had to move right now, I could not afford to move to another house
or apartment in the area where I currently live." (2019 MAS)
When it comes to an individual respondent’s ability to afford a move in their current area, a surprisingly high share (45
percent regionally) said that they could NOT afford such a move, ranging from 56 percent in relatively lower-income Clayton
down to 37 percent in comparatively wealthier Fayette.
39. 7.6% 9.5%
5.8%
9.0% 8.8% 8.2% 9.2% 7.2% 9.9% 9.0% 8.8%
13.0%
6.0%
13.1%
8.5%
27.9% 26.8% 33.5%
30.8% 31.3% 32.7% 31.9% 35.7%
33.4% 35.1% 36.6%
33.3%
41.0%
34.5%
34.5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Butts Cherokee Rockdale Paulding Henry Douglas DeKalb Cobb Fulton Fayette Coweta Clayton Gwinnett City of
Atlanta
ARC
Region
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree DK
"In the area where I live, long-established businesses
are being replaces by new businesses." (2019 MAS)
Residents are not as likely to perceive that the business environment is changing (around them) as rapidly as the residential
landscape is shifting. . Regionally, 43 percent see a new business influx, compared to 56 percent noting new, more expensive
homes and 68 percent saying that flipping is prevalent
40. Housing Questions: “Most Likely to…”
• Perceive General Affordability
Challenges: Younger, lower-income, part-
time, renters
• Think Area’s Changing: Younger
residents, whites, more education,
longer-tenured, owner, north of I-20
• Think Flipping Prevalent: Little
demographic diffs, fewer 65+ see
• See Home Replacement: Older workers,
those with more education
• Have Trouble ($) Moving in Area:
Younger, Minority, lower-income and
education, renters
• Assess Businesses as Shifting/ being
Replaced: Older, longer-term residents,
south of I-20 (barely)
41. Core Areas of Strength
• Even with rapid change widespread, people perceive very little tension between
neighbors.
• 80% believe that neighbors are seen as willing to help each other, and indications of
stable levels of community involvement.
• Crime is down four percentage points as a stated “biggest problem”, and perception of
community safety is generally stable or declining.
• Atlanta metro is seen as a good place to raise kids (by 2 in 3), and the share is ticking up.
• The share of respondents that that think things will be better in the next 3-4 years is up
some to 30%, compared to last year’s 28%.
42. 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Gwinnett Fayette Rockdale Paulding Douglas Fulton Henry Cherokee Clayton DeKalb Cobb Butts City of
Atlanta
Coweta ARC
Region
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree DK
Changes in the area where I live are leading to tension
between me and my neighbors.“ (2019 MAS)
Significant change is apparent to almost everyone, and there seems to be stress in the residential market, though somewhat
less in commercial markets. However, these somewhat unstable environments do not seem to have led to feelings of
conflict among people — as only 15 percent see the changes causing tension among neighbors.
43. Neighbors Willing to Help Each Other?: MAS 2015-19
1.4%
5.1%
12.5%
59.7%
21.4%
1.0%
5.3%
18.3%
57.1%
18.3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
DK
Strongly
Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly
Agree
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
In 2015, 3 out of 4 us felt that our neighbors would be there when we needed them. By 2019, this share had increased to 8 in 10 of
us. Confidence in our neighbors are somewhat lower only in a few areas that are not only developing quickly, but experiencing rapid
demographic change at the same time.
44. Crime as Biggest Problem Facing Residents in Metro Atlanta:
Shares - 2013-2019
Crime has continued to drop in this decade, though attitudes have bounced up and down. Lately, perception is improved. After
increasing to 22 percent share as a top concern in 2018 (on par with 2016 levels), crime fell back to 18 percent as a top concern in
2019.
17%
14%
17%
23%
17%
22%
18%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
45. Assessment of Community Safety by County: MAS 2019
9.5%
12.0%
8.6%
8.0%
12.5%
19.7%
17.0%
16.3%
17.3%
17.8%
19.0%
26.3%
34.5%
33.3%
17.9%
30.4%
35.3%
39.1%
46.8%
45.8%
39.6%
44.8%
47.4%
49.3%
50.5%
50.9%
44.8%
46.8%
49.0%
43.6%
34.2%
33.2%
27.2%
33.5%
34.0%
23.5%
27.5%
13.1%
26.0%
21.0%
15.7%
22.5%
12.3%
14.3%
24.7%
24.2%
19.3%
24.0%
10.0%
7.8%
16.7%
10.8%
15.5%
7.3%
10.5%
13.0%
6.0%
6.5%
3.5%
13.1%
0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0% 90.0% 100.0%
Clayton
DeKalb
City of Atlanta
Rockdale
Henry
Fulton
Douglas
Butts
Gwinnett
Paulding
Cobb
Coweta
Fayette
Cherokee
ARC Region
Excellent Good Fair Poor DK
Across the region, nearly 60% of respondents rated resident safety in their community as “excellent” or “good.” In only three
jurisdictions (City of Atlanta, DeKalb, and Clayton County) did a majority of respondents rate their community’s safety as “fair” or
“poor.”
46. How Involved in Community? (by County): MAS 2019
9.2%
12.8%
12.0%
17.3%
15.3%
15.3%
9.2%
10.2%
7.3%
10.2%
20.2%
16.4%
13.0%
13.3%
14.0%
45.6%
47.1%
52.1%
48.0%
50.1%
50.3%
56.4%
55.9%
60.3%
59.1%
49.3%
53.4%
58.6%
61.0%
51.6%
45.2%
39.1%
33.4%
34.1%
34.1%
34.3%
34.2%
33.7%
32.3%
30.4%
29.5%
30.0%
28.3%
25.3%
33.6%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Butts
Gwinnett
Cobb
Fulton
Henry
Paulding
Rockdale
Cherokee
Douglas
Coweta
City of Atlanta
DeKalb
Clayton
Fayette
ARC Region
Very Involved Somewhat Involved Not Involved at All DK
Regionwide, 2 in 3 respondents said that they were involved to some extent in their community. Even in lower
socioeconomic areas, involvement levels remain strong.
47. Assessment of Metro as Place to Raise Kids: MAS 2015-19
2.7%
15.5%
29.3%
39.5%
13.0%
1.5%
14.9%
32.8%
40.7%
10.0%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
DK
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
2015 2017 2016 2018 2019
Despite all the “big problems,” challenges in access to services, discomfiting neighborhood change, and affordability
stressors, only 16 percent think this is not a good place to raise kids. The share rating the metro as good or excellent
has ticked up over the last five years, to 52 percent in 2019.
48. Future Assessment of Living Conditions: Responses 2018 and 2019
3%
26%
30%
41%
2%
27%
28%
44%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
DK
Worse in 3-4 years
Better in 3-4 years
About the same
2018
2019
Overall, nearly three-quarters of
respondents believe that future
living conditions will be the
same or better in 3 to 4 years.
49. Future Assessment of Living Conditions by County 2019
14.0%
19.8%
22.6%
25.1%
25.5%
25.8%
26.3%
28.5%
28.5%
29.4%
32.5%
33.7%
36.7%
40.5%
29.9%
28.0%
29.8%
35.8%
26.6%
27.0%
30.3%
25.8%
30.8%
32.3%
29.3%
26.0%
24.9%
18.9%
19.3%
26.0%
49.2%
48.0%
39.6%
43.6%
45.8%
43.5%
46.8%
36.8%
35.5%
37.9%
40.3%
38.2%
40.2%
35.4%
41.0%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Butts
Paulding
Henry
Cherokee
Fayette
Douglas
Gwinnett
Clayton
Coweta
DeKalb
Rockdale
Cobb
Fulton
City of Atlanta
ARC Region
Better in 3-4 years Worse in 3-4 years About the Same DK
For the first six years of this survey, respondents in lower-income jurisdictions like City of Atlanta, Clayton, and DeKalb
have among the highest levels of optimism for the next three to four years. This year, optimism dropped back a little
for DeKalb and Clayton while increasing in Fulton and Cobb.
50. Most Likely to Say That Things Will Be
Better in 3 to 4 Years
• Residents of City of Atlanta,
Fulton and Cobb
• Millennials (38% better cf: 65+
at 20% better)
• Blacks and Latinos
• Middle-income households and
middle education levels
• Those who recently moved to
the region
• South of I-20
