Statesboro, Georgia (Atlanta, Columbus, Savannah: sales, 2014, transfer)

[Drewplanner]

This is a thread for any and all development news or otherwise notable news (Georgia Southern academic rankings/awards/sports) pertaining to Statesboro, Georgia.

Discuss


Here are some factoids about Statesboro, Georgia:

29,779 (2012) - 13.86 square miles - 2,149/density
28,422 (2010) - 13.50 square miles - 2,105/density
22,698 (2000) - 12.20 square miles - 1,860/density

2010-2012: 4.8% 2-year growth, 2.1% 2yr increase in density, 2.7% 2yr increase in land area
2000-2010: 25.2% 10-year growth, 13.2% 10yr increase in density, 10.7% 10yr increase in land area


Bulloch County - 672.81 square miles (land)

72,694 (2012) - 108/density
70,217 (2010) - 104/density
55,983 (2000) - 83/density

2010-2012: 3.5% 2-year growth, 3.8% 2yr increase in density
2000-2010: 25.4% 10-year growth, 25.3% 10yr increase in density


Statesboro Urban Cluster

36,314 (2010) - 25.5 square miles - 1,424/density
26,605 (2000) - 19.6 square miles - 1,357/density

2000-2010: 36.5% population increase, 30% increase in land area, 4.9% increase in density

[Drewplanner]

2,000+ multifamily units
5,800+ multifamily bedrooms
$125-million+ in GSU Construction
$140-million+ in Bulloch County Schools Construction


Statesboro 5-year Recap | Planward


Above is a link to a blog post I just wrote about Statesboro's growth over the past five years. I moved to Atlanta in 2009 for grad school. As soon as I left, things started exploding... many of the restaurants I always wanted opened after I left. Sunday liquor-by-the-drink sales passed after I left too.

Btw - the majority of these developments occurred after the 2010 Census was recorded. In 2010-2011, Statesboro was the 6th fastest-growing micropolitan statistical area in the United States (541 total) and the 8th among all statistical areas (metros and micros - 929 total) Statesboro was also the 6th largest population gain of micropolitan statistical areas in the US and Bulloch County was the 27th fastest-growing county/equivalent in the US (out of 3,144 total).

For 2010-2012, Statesboro dropped to 19th fastest-growing micro in the US and 50th fastest-growing among all statistical areas in the United States (metros and micros - 929 total).

[BullochResident]

What I like about the growth is that we are not some suburban area (even though Savannah is relatively close). Most counties that see explosive growth tend to be exurbs next to a really large city (Henry County, GA for example). Statesboro/Bulloch stands out because it is a smaller town in a more rural area currently seeing explosive growth. You don't see that in many places nowadays.

[BullochResident]

Originally Posted by Drewplanner

As soon as I left, things started exploding... many of the restaurants I always wanted opened after I left. Sunday liquor-by-the-drink sales passed after I left too.

Yep, and the changes keep happening. Georgia Southern is currently constructing a bigger Paulson Stadium (FBS football baby!) and are planning to expand their health center soon as well. That's already on top of the new dining halls that opened last year, and the library which got expanded a few years back. It's boomtown!

[Drewplanner]

I agree BR, and having been to and lived in other cities, one thing that I always notice about Statesboro when I visit once or twice a year is how CLEAN the city is. It doesn't matter where you are, the grass is trimmed and bright vivid green, there are fresh white sidewalks everywhere and mostly dark pavement on many of the roads (like its brand new). Even the "bad" areas of town are still much nicer looking after living in other larger cities in Georgia.

There is also a much higher standard/quality of living than cities much bigger can offer (much less similar-sized cities) - such as the rec department (mill creek), Splash in the Boro (who else has a sizable water park outside of Atlanta), FBS football soon, a maturing beer culture with the new breweries and craft-beer establishments opening - even Fuzzys Taco Shop with over 30 tequilas to choose from - I dont know... I feel like the town got so much better as soon as I moved away!!

[Albania67]

You guys are right the boro is seeing such great growth for a city its size. @drewplanner: why not put this in the Savannah forum? oops i already know why

[Drewplanner]

Originally Posted by Albania67

You guys are right the boro is seeing such great growth for a city its size. @drewplanner: why not put this in the Savannah forum? oops i already know why

Statesboro and Savannah are different cities with different identities. Although city-data would have you think there are only five cities located in Georgia, I think Albany & Valdosta would prefer to be in the Georgia forum instead of Macon/Tallahassee forums or Brunswick in the Savannah/Jacksonville forums.

Statesboro has been referred to as 'the red-headed step-child of Augusta and Savannah'. Georgia Trend magazine (which publishes an annual economic report for the state) places Statesboro in their "East Georgia" region with Augusta. We fall into the Coastal Georgia RDC along with Savannah, Hinesville and Brunswick, but there was discussion a few years ago about transferring Bulloch County into the Central Savannah River Area RDC (Augusta's).

Statesboro is one of those places that's just kind between a lot of other places... kinda like Albany is "between" Columbus/Macon/Valdosta/Dothan/Tallahassee but not really "close" to any of them. Statesboro is "between" Savannah and Augusta, but I wouldnt say it's "close" (52-76 mi) to either of them. Statesboro folks used to go to the Savannah/Oglethorpe Malls to go shopping on the weekends, but now they mostly go to the Augusta Mall for that (maybe they'll start going to Pooler when the Ben Carter development opens). More of my Statesboro friends go to Atlanta on the weekends for fun than Savannah.

I am not trying to downplay the relationship between Statesboro and Savannah - there is certainly a relationship there and I think it's a very interesting topic. I think more Savannah people consider Statesboro to be in their area than Statesboro people consider themselves to be in the Savannah area. I will say that the Statesboro-Savannah relationship has changed over time and continues to change.

Regardless, I think Statesboro is a city in its own right just as much as Valdosta or Brunswick are cities in their own right.

[PJA]

A lot of counties that are not a part of the larger metro areas are losing population so Statesboro is definitely doing something right. Although its between Savannah and Augusta, it pretty much has its own identity and is its own self-sustaining city and micro area.

[Albania67]

I would agree that albany and valdosta would like to have their own forums. why dont they already ?Anyways your right about starting to go to augusta for shopping because i remember a couple month ago i was at a get-together and this woman ask another: where did you get those nice boots from? And she answered: Augusta. then The woman said why didnt you go to savannah? Response: Savannah didnt have the kind i was looking for. 52 mi is closer than 76 mi but seems to me that augusta is turning into a destination also for statesboro shoppers(especially north bulloch 80/25)

[BullochResident]

I rarely go to Augusta. I did go there once this past year to go ice skating (Savannah only has ice skating in December), but that is it. It probably has to do with the fact that I live on the east side of Statesboro which is closer to Savannah. Pooler is only a 40 minute drive from my house. Also, I never get any of the Augusta news stations on cable, only Savannah, which is probably why I associate the area more to Savannah than Augusta.