Savannah Metro gains 6,600 people in latest census estimates (Atlanta, Columbus: 2015, home)

[Airforceguy]

I got these numbers from an article in the Austin,TX paper. Chatham gained 4,951 people, increasing its population to 283,379. Overall the combined Savannah-Hinesville-Statesboro CSA gained 9,051 people in the last year.

NAME: Savannah, GA
2013 Pop. Estimate: 366049
2014 Pop. Estimate:: 372708
2014 Pop. Change: 6659
Percent Change: 1.82%

NAME: Hinesville, GA
2013 Pop. Estimate: 80698
2014 Pop. Estimate:: 82311
2014 Pop. Change: 1613
Percent Change: 2.00%

NAME: Statesboro, GA
2013 Pop. Estimate: 71,308
2014 Pop. Estimate: 72,087
2014 Pop. Change: 779
Percent Change: 1.1%

If you scroll down in the article, they have an interactive map of all the nation's metros that you can click on
Austin Metro, Hays County among fastest-growing in U.S. | KXAN.com

[Airforceguy]

Here's a link that provides a better map: 2014 County Population Data Map

[CoastalGAGuy]

It seems as fast as Chatham is growing, our friends across the river in Beaufort are growing even faster.

[pink caddy]

Originally Posted by CoastalGAGuy

It seems as fast as Chatham is growing, our friends across the river in Beaufort are growing even faster.

That's because they don't have as many gangs shooting away at rival gangs. Hey, you shoot and kill off the pop. growth, right? Simple explanation. Not complicated.





LOL as to how easy it is to understand complex data.

[BullochResident]

I wonder if the stagnant growth of Southern's student body is having an effect on Bulloch County's population. It grew 25% (56,000-70,000) from 2000-2010, but has only only increased 2% from 2010-2014 (70,000-72,000).

Georgia Southern literally doubled its student population from 2000-2010, but has been stuck at ~20,000 students since then. Are more colleges popping up in Atlanta or are more students just simply taking classes online now? Surely there's got to be a reason for the stoppage of the growth we had last decade.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by BullochResident

I wonder if the stagnant growth of Southern's student body is having an effect on Bulloch County's population. It grew 25% (56,000-70,000) from 2000-2010, but has only only increased 2% from 2010-2014 (70,000-72,000).

Georgia Southern literally doubled its student population from 2000-2010, but has been stuck at ~20,000 students since then. Are more colleges popping up in Atlanta or are more students just simply taking classes online now? Surely there's got to be a reason for the stoppage of the growth we had last decade.

Not sure "stagnated" is the right word, but enrollment growth across the entire University System of Georgia has leveled off considerably since the Great Recession. Common sense dictates that the historic increase of the previous decade (nearly 100,000 students in 10 years) could not POSSIBLY be sustained forever. According to this 2012 AJC story, several factors contributed to an overall decline in enrollment statewide between 2011-2012 -- only the 3rd time that's happened since 1978. But Georgia Southern still saw a gain of 2.3 percent -- more than 500 students -- year-to-year. UGA, on the other hand, saw a decline of .7 percent.

Concern over enrollment drop at Georgia colleges | www.ajc.com

Here's a news release from the Board of Regents reporting that enrollment last fall showed a slight increase, reversing a 2-year decline statewide.

University System of Georgia Enrollment Increases for Fall 2014 Semester - Newsroom - University System of Georgia

[Airforceguy]

One factor behind the increase is the natural growth created as the number of local births outpaces the number of local deaths. From April 1, 2010, to July 1, 2014, Chatham County’s population naturally increased by more than 7,200, according to the Census Bureau’s statistics.

An even bigger influence on Chatham’s continued growth is migration. Since 2010, Chatham County netted 10,750 new residents from other areas of the state, U.S. and world.

Census data shows continued growth in Chatham County | savannahnow.com

[masonbauknight]

The latest GA metropolitan and combined statistical estimates have some people on other threads scratching their heads. Others are downplaying them, or exaggerating (very) slim population gains. But the overall slowdown in Georgia's population is apparent, even in areas like Atlanta and Gainesville -- always the growth leaders in Georgia. Only Savannah and Hinesville-Ft. Stewart showed any kind of dynamic change in the last year. Augusta and Athens were a wash, Atlanta and Gainesville good but not as good as in the past, and there were actual declines in Columbus, Macon, and Albany. The Carolina metros are doing all as good or better than Savannah and Hinesville, and Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head-Beaufort are exploding. All the major Carolina metros are doing well: Fayetteville, which is as much a classic military town as Columbus is, grew. Columbus, however, declined in both the city and metro area, with even a slight decline in the Columbus-Auburn-Opelika combined statistical area.

Does anyone know what the effect of the BRAC is in the three military towns of Columbus, Fayetteville and Hinesville? What soldiers are being transferred where, and for how long? Thus, could Hinesville's gains be as temporary as Columbus's?

[Airforceguy]

Actually, Atlanta and Gainesville saw upticks in their growth. Atlanta which only gained 68,000 in last years estimates, climbed back up to nearly 89,000. I agree with you on Athens and Augusta. I think Augusta's growth will pick up though over the next 5 years with Army Cyber Command coming and bringing nearly 10,000 people to that area. Albany, unfortunately will continue to decline. I believe Macon will turn things around and begin to grow again. Especially, if Macon can begin to take advantage of its location. I honestly don't know how Columbus declined. Fort Benning hasn't really seen major troop reductions. In fact when the army announced its first round of troop cuts in 2013, Fort Benning gained 76 troops, while Fort Stewart lost 1,500. If anything I would have thought Hinesville would have declined. Also, on the subject of Fayetteville, its growth is beginning to slow down a lot. In fact Cumberland, which is home to Fayetteville, saw a slight population decline of 181. The overall metro only grew by 320. The job market there is not great at all and add to the fact the Air Force is planning on shutting down the 440th AW at Pope this fall; Fayetteville will probably see more decline.

Census figures show growth slow in region - Fayetteville Observer: Local News

Air Force Units at Pope Field Told to Embrace Coming Changes | Military.com

[masonbauknight]

Thanks for that, AFG. I'm scratching my head along with everyone else about these 2014 estimates. That's a great link about Fayetteville (and puts things in better perspective). Regarding Atlanta and Gainesville, I'm more surprised by the percentage gain in each metro -- both cities always did better than Savannah in the past. The BRAC effect (and aftereffect) in Columbus must be a real mystery, I guess. Again, appreciate the links.