Excerpt of Introduction
A Cultural mecca, Atlanta Draws an Educated and Affluent mix
By Meg Thornton
Greater Atlanta blends new with tradition. It is a global leader in shaping the future even as it revers its heritage. Newcomers are showered with genuine Southern hospitality, and in no time you will be graciously welcoming others to “your city.”
Visitors and residents alike are transfixed by Atlanta’s winding, tree-lined streets and soaring skyscrapers, its graceful historic mansions and its funky artist enclaves. Metro Atlanta is a diverse patchwork of large, progressive cities, historic small towns, richly appointed planned communities and of friendly people of all stripes.
The nation’s ninth largest metropolis, greater Atlanta’s 2011 population was 5.5 million and it is projected to reach 6.4 million by 2020. The rapid growth is fueled by the strong business environment and employment opportunities.
International and Cultural
The Southeast’s economic capital is home to such multinationals as The Coca-Cola Company, AT&T Mobility, Delta Air Lines, CNN, The Home Depot and UPS. It has the nation’s 3rd-highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies and is host to more than 75 percent of all Fortune 1,000 companies. It is truly international: More than 35 nations have consulates or trade offices here and nearly 1,000 foreign-based firms have an Atlanta presence.
Visitors to Atlanta can experience the world’s largest aquarium, Civil War history, the real-time production of CNN World News and the making of the world’s favorite beverage. Atlanta’s nightlight is famously vibrant and the city leads the Southeast in sports teams, entertainment venues, restaurants and upscale shopping.
The metro area also boasts a thriving arts culture, a renowned botanical gardens and zoo, outstanding parks (large and small), two major lakes, hundreds of golf and tennis facilities … and a temperate climate to enjoy them year round.
Young, Affluent and Educated
Due to the region’s employment opportunities and its large concentration of colleges and universities, greater Atlanta’s population, compared to most other U.S. cities, is younger, more affluent and better educated. Atlanta’s average age is 34 compared to 36 nationally. The metro area has more than 30 institutions of higher education, including Emory University, a world-class institution, and Georgia Institute of Technology, a top-10 engineering and research university. More than 17% of Atlanta’s adult population has a master’s degree or higher, and, proportionately, Atlanta residents holding a bachelor’s degree outnumber most cities, including New York and Los Angeles.
In recent years, the population within the city limits has grown more affluent as young professionals and progressive retirees take root to enjoy short commutes and an abundance of culture.
Greenspace Enjoys Elevated Status
Community greenspace has become a valued asset in and around Atlanta. The ambitious Beltline project underway is a 22-mile loop of trails and parks encircling the city’s core, connecting neighborhoods one by one. Each completed segment is met with enthusiasm, bringing out hundreds of joggers, dog walkers and families biking with children on weekends. Throughout 28-county region, scores of older historic cities have transformed into vibrant live-work-play communities anchored by charming parks that host farmers markets and community events.
A leading transportation hub, commerce has shaped Atlanta’s history. Its airport, the world’s busiest, serves more than 21,000 passengers a day. In May 2012, a sleek new 1.2 million-square-foot international terminal opened. Three major highways (I-75, I-85, I-20) converge near Atlanta’s downtown business district. I-285 circles the city and GA-400 runs from in town to North Fulton. MARTA, the city’s transit system, provides rapid rail service throughout Atlanta’s I-285 core and into Sandy Springs.
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