THE WAY ATLANTA MOVES

Culture, Growth, and the Future of a Changing City

BRETT HILLESHEIM

“WELCOME TO ATLANTA”

Atlanta’s transformation from a regional cultural hub to a global entertainment powerhouse has paralleled its demographic shifts, reshaping the city’s landscape over the past few decades. Once primarily recognized for its Southern hip-hop roots—thanks to artists like Outkast, T.I., and Lil Jon—Atlanta has since cemented itself as a heavyweight in both music and film. The rise of Tyler Perry Studios and the city’s reputation as the "Hollywood of the South" underscore its growing cultural influence.

This cultural ascent mirrors the city’s booming population. Just as Atlanta evolved from an emerging creative hub to a global media cornerstone, its population has surged, attracting new residents and businesses. In the same way Atlanta’s music and film industries have drawn national attention, the city’s cultural vibrancy has been a magnet for people from across the country, resulting in a dynamic, diverse population that continues to grow rapidly.

As Jermaine Dupri and Ludacris celebrate in “Welcome to Atlanta,” the city has become a vibrant nexus of culture and opportunity, attracting talent and industries daily. The broader 21-county Atlanta region is now poised for even more growth, with an additional 1.8 million residents expected by 2050. This will push the population to nearly 8 million—a demographic shift driven by both economic opportunities and evolving cultural appeal.

Mike Carnathan, Manager of Research and Analytics at the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), noted how this demographic evolution will require new approaches: “By 2050, significant populations of color will be aged 65 and older, which will fundamentally alter our infrastructure needs.” The growth will present profound challenges but also open new opportunities for how the city supports housing, transportation, and public services.

Just as Atlanta’s creative industries have adapted to their global status, city planners, engineers, and policymakers must shift their strategies to meet the diverse needs of the growing population. The city’s transformation is more than cultural; it’s about building an infrastructure that defines the future Atlanta, ensuring it can sustain its vibrant, dynamic, and aging population.

“NEW ATLANTA”

The cultural vibrancy of Atlanta has become a magnet, attracting not only tourists and creative professionals but also new residents from across the United States. Atlanta's culture of opportunity, creative innovation, and a burgeoning entertainment industry have drawn people from all walks of life, contributing to the city's significant population growth. As culture and creativity flourished, so did the city's allure as a place to live, work, and thrive.

Recent data shows just how rapidly metro Atlanta is evolving. Between April 2023 and 2024, the region added over 62,700 new residents, bringing the population to 5.2 million. The City of Atlanta alone experienced a 2.1% growth rate, while counties like Cherokee and Henry grew by 1.9% and 1.8%, respectively. This rapid influx has been driven by migration from more expensive coastal cities and job creation in sectors like technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.

Carnathan highlighted two major demographic trends shaping Atlanta's future: the rise of communities of color and an aging workforce. He noted, “The younger age cohorts are predominantly populations of color, while older cohorts are majority white.” By 2050, populations of color over age 65 will make up a significant portion of Atlanta’s demographics—a first for the region.

Aging, too, will become a critical factor in infrastructure planning. While metro Atlanta is relatively young compared to other U.S. cities, by 2050, the number of residents over 75 is expected to triple, reaching around 900,000. These shifts will necessitate changes in housing, transportation, and healthcare infrastructure to meet the needs of both younger, diverse populations and older adults.

“WHAT YOU KNOW”

The pressure on Atlanta’s housing market has been immense. In 2023, the region issued 28,595 residential building permits—though this marked a slight decline from previous years. Carnathan was candid about the need for more diverse housing options: “Most of our housing stock is single-family homes or large apartment complexes. We need more ‘missing middle’ housing—duplexes, townhomes, senior living—to keep up with the changing demographics.” With younger professionals moving into the region and older adults downsizing, the demand for affordable, smaller housing units continues to rise.

Mayor Andre Dickens has made affordable housing a priority, committing to build or preserve 20,000 affordable units by 2030. He remarked, “It’s not my fault, but it is my problem,” acknowledging the deep housing issues that Atlanta faces. His administration has already invested over $100 million in public and private funds to tackle these challenges.

Transportation is another key hurdle. Atlanta remains one of the most congested cities in the U.S., with worsening traffic delays along critical corridors like I-20 West and I-75 South. Expanding public transit is essential, and as Carnathan pointed out, the city must rethink its approach to transportation, considering alternatives such as micro-mobility options and on-demand transit systems. Counties like Gwinnett and Cobb are already taking steps in this direction, with public transportation referendums on the ballot. While these efforts are ongoing, they represent just a fraction of the changes needed to accommodate future growth.

“HARD IN DA PAINT”

Despite these efforts, Georgia’s infrastructure received a C+ grade in 2024, reflecting serious deficiencies in key areas such as public transit and stormwater management. While 98% of the state’s bridges are rated in good condition, the need for investment in transit systems and water infrastructure is critical. As the region expands, the demand for drinking water is expected to increase dramatically, requiring $19.7 billion in new infrastructure.

Carnathan also highlighted the urgent need to address aging water systems. “We’ve seen several high-profile water main breaks in Atlanta, which is just the tip of the iceberg. Every city in Georgia is grappling with aging water infrastructure that needs immediate upgrades,” he said. Beyond water systems, the electrification of transportation is also a top priority, with Georgia leading the way in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and battery manufacturing. However, as Carnathan pointed out, the state must now build a workforce capable of supporting this shift toward greener, more resilient infrastructure.

“THE WAY YOU MOVE”

Looking ahead, sustainable infrastructure development is essential to Atlanta’s future. The Chattahoochee RiverLands project offers a model for how Atlanta can balance growth with environmental stewardship. By creating green, walkable spaces along the river, the project not only enhances quality of life but also prepares the city for the pressures of population growth. “We need to think of infrastructure as more than just roads and bridges,” Carnathan emphasized. “It’s about creating places that foster community and resilience”.

Mayor Dickens has underscored Atlanta’s global connections in fostering sustainable and inclusive growth, stating, “How we try to go from where we are to where we really know we can be requires a global focus on those things,” highlighting Atlanta’s leadership in sustainability and public transportation initiatives.

Public-private partnerships will be a key component of this strategy. Collaborations between government agencies, private companies, and engineering firms will be crucial in addressing Atlanta’s growing infrastructure needs. For example, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act will provide billions of dollars in funding for electrification, green infrastructure, and climate resilience initiatives across the region. Carnathan described Georgia as a national leader in this space, with major investments in battery plants and EV infrastructure setting the stage for a more sustainable future.

“FOREVER I LOVE ATLANTA”

As metro Atlanta’s population continues to grow and diversify, the region faces critical choices about its future. To meet the demands of an expanding and aging population, Atlanta must invest in innovative infrastructure solutions that prioritize sustainability, adaptability, and inclusivity. From housing diversity to public transit expansion, the decisions made today will determine whether Atlanta can maintain its high quality of life while accommodating millions of new residents.

Again, as Jermaine Dupri and Ludacris proclaim in "Welcome to Atlanta," the city is a vibrant hub of culture and opportunity, attracting new residents and industries every day. This energy fuels Atlanta's transformation, making it not only a center of growth but also a place that fosters creativity and community. The allure of the city continues to drive its evolution, shaping its infrastructure and setting the stage for the future.

Like Outkast in “Elevators,” Atlanta also continues to rise above its challenges, shaping itself into a hub of innovation and growth. Mayor Dickens captured this forward-thinking approach when he remarked, “We don’t force it; it just happens. Atlanta has a way of demonstrating itself to be what it says it wants to be, which is inclusive”.

The stakes are high, but the opportunities are immense. By embracing new technologies, fostering public-private partnerships, and rethinking traditional infrastructure paradigms, metro Atlanta can position itself as a leader in 21st-century urban planning. As Carnathan put it, “We don’t yet know what the future will look like, but we do know it’s going to be different—and it’s up to us to shape that future”.