The city of Atlanta was founded in 1837 at the end of the Western & Atlantic railroad line. The city became the state capital in 1868 and grew to become the leading economic center in the Southeast U.S. In 1996, Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.
Notable landmarks include the Georgia state Capitol, Georgia World Congress Center, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Ebenezer Baptist Church, where the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. served as pastor. Large employers include Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola, AT&T and Truist (formerly SunTrust) Banks.
Atlanta’s population is growing as the city’s diversified economy has gathered steam following the recession. Atlanta is 132 square miles and is in parts of Fulton and DeKalb counties.
| Population | 499,127 |
| Population Change (since 2010) | +18.8% |
| Population Forecast (2050) | 792,367 |
| Median Household Income* | $83,251 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% |
| Mean Travel Time to Work* | 28 minutes |
| Single Family Building Permits | 1,775 units |
| Multifamily Building Permits | 10,078 units |
2023 Annual Report – City of Atlanta (pdf)
ARC’s Strategic Partners are committed to fostering collaborative regional approaches that improve quality of life in metro Atlanta. Their support elevates ARC leadership programs, research and events throughout the year. Learn more.
