The Economic Status of Counties in the Atlanta Metro and Georgia (Macon: place to live, design)

[fourthwarden]

So, I'm learning QGIS in my spare time because I'm a nerd like that, and decided to toss together this map real quick. It uses data generated by the Appalachian Regional Commission, who uses an index-based county economic classification system to identify and monitor the economic status of Appalachian counties, though they create rankings for every county in the nation.

Using their data, I just made a map for the whole of Georgia. The base map was built in QGIS, with the final map being put together in Adobe Illustrator.

There are descriptions in the legend that say what each classification is, but i'll go ahead and toss them here in case you don't want to zoom in:

Distressed
Distressed counties are the most economically depressed counties. They rank in the worst 10 percent of the nation's counties.

At-Risk
At-Risk counties are those at risk of becoming economically distressed. They rank between the worst 10 percent and 25 percent of the nation's counties.

Transitional
Transitional counties are those transitioning between strong and weak economies. They make up the largest economic status designation. Transitional counties rank between the worst 25 percent and the best 25 percent of the nation's counties.

Competitive
Competitive counties are those that are able to compete in the national economy but are not in the highest 10 percent of the nation's counties. Counties ranking between the best 10 percent and 25 percent of the nation's counties are classified competitive.

Attainment
Attainment counties are the economically strongest counties. Counties ranking in the best 10 percent of the nation's counties are classified attainment.

[Pemgin]

I have a very difficult time believing most of metro Atlanta's counties, most notably Fulton, Gwinnett, and Dekalb, are "transitioning between strong and weak economies." The wording is absolutely terrible.

[tikigod311]

So many "distressed" counties in this beautiful state and I just don't know if that will ever change. There is little reason to live in those areas of red (Clayton being the exception) and those few reasons will diminish as time goes on.

It is interesting to see that north Georgia, well north of Atlanta, seems to do pretty well. I guess it is more desirable thanks to its beauty and it not being as disconnected as south Georgia.

I'm not sure what will make south Georgia, south of Macon and away from the coast, a desirable place to live.

EDIT- nice work, as always fourthwarden!

[earthlyfather]

There you go. Forsyth County! Keep trashing the county as if it is 1990.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by Pemgin

I have a very difficult time believing most of metro Atlanta's counties, most notably Fulton, Gwinnett, and Dekalb, are "transitioning between strong and weak economies." The wording is absolutely terrible.

You can read a bit more about the methodology here: Distressed Designation and County Economic Status Classification System, FY 2007 – FY 2018

Basically, 'Transitional' is a very wide range covering 75% of both the upper and lower index counties.

[citidata18]

Originally Posted by earthlyfather

There you go. Forsyth County! Keep trashing the county as if it is 1990.

No one (at least in more modern times) has said Forsyth County doesn't have a strong economic status.

[Pemgin]

Originally Posted by earthlyfather

There you go. Forsyth County! Keep trashing the county as if it is 1990.

Nobody trashes it.

[Iconographer]

Those with an anti-Georgia agenda will manipulate the hell out of this..."TN only has 17 distressed counties. SC, 20. Georgia has 45! THE SHAME!"

[brownhornet]

Originally Posted by Pemgin

Nobody trashes it.

Still couldnt make me live there though.

[alco89]

Originally Posted by Iconographer

Those with an anti-Georgia agenda will manipulate the hell out of this..."TN only has 17 distressed counties. SC, 20. Georgia has 45! THE SHAME!"

LOL right! South Carolina barely has 45 anyway. Ga is just a larger state with the smallest counties in the US on average.