Atlanta Region Adds 53,690 Residents in Past Year ARC Population Estimates Show

Atlanta — Aug 12, 2026

The 11-county Atlanta region added 53,690 residents between April 2025 and April 2026, bringing the total population to 5,339,164, according to estimates released today by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC).

The 11-county region grew at a rate of 1.0%, a slight decrease from last year (1.2%), reflecting a nationwide trend of slowing population growth. The Atlanta region added 64,400 residents between 2024 and 2025.

All 11 counties added population in the past year, with the strongest growth rates in the outer suburbs and inner core. Fulton County (including City of Atlanta) led the way, growing by 1.9%, followed by Forsyth (1.5%), and Henry County (1.3%).

“Metro Atlanta continues to grow and thrive,” said ARC Board Chair Andre Dickens, who also serves as Mayor of the City of Atlanta. “The Atlanta region is a great place to live. Our economy is diverse and dynamic. It’s a great place to put down roots and raise a family.”

Other key findings include:

• The decrease in the region’s growth rate reflects a decline in home building permits, which remain below historical averages.
• The Atlanta region is still adding jobs, but the rate of growth is flattening.
• Housing supply remains low, keeping prices elevated – placing a brake on population growth, especially domestic migration.

Metro Atlanta’s population growth has been slowing compared to previous decades. The 11-county region grew at an average annual rate of 1.2% between 2020-2026, compared to 1.5% in the 2010s, 2.0% in 2000-2010, and 3.3% in the 1990s.

The City of Atlanta has bucked that trend, growing much faster in recent years than in previous decades, driven in large part by multifamily housing developments in places like Midtown and along the Atlanta Beltline. The city added nearly 7,000 people in the past year and now has an estimated population of 549,615.

“ARC’s annual population estimates give local leaders a clear, current picture of growth across the region and the data-informed foundation they need to plan for infrastructure, housing, and services,” said Ann Carpenter, ARC’s Chief Research & Innovation Officer.

ARC uses housing permit data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as the foundation for its population estimates.

In 2025, 24,015 residential building permits were issued in the 11-county region, an 18.5% decrease from a year earlier. Current building permit activity remains lower than pre-Great Recession permit levels and is below the 1980-2025 average annual level of 33,150

The City of Atlanta led the region in number of building permits issued, with 5,622. Fulton County (not including Atlanta) had the second-most permits issued at 4,038. Fulton reported a notable increase in multifamily housing activity, with 2,255 permits issued in 2025, compared to 1,322 in 2024. Much of the activity took place in the cities of Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Union City, and College Park.

More information: ARC 2026 Population Estimates Report

Under state law, ARC is required to estimate the population for the 11 ARC counties and the City of Atlanta each year for the purpose of collecting dues from its member jurisdictions.

Contact Name: Paul Donsky
Contact Phone: 470-626-3869
Contact Email: [email protected]