FAST FACTS ABOUT METRO ATLANTA
• If metro Atlanta were a country, it would be the 28th-largest economy in the world.
• Atlanta is the capital of Georgia.
• How big is metro Atlanta? It's 8,376 square miles over 28 counties.
• How many people? In 2007, metro Atlanta had approximately 5.2 million people, and it is projected to have 7.1 million by 2030. (Source: Woods & Poole Economics Inc. 2007 MSA Profile: Metropolitan Area Projections to 2030)
• How fast is it growing? U.S. Census Bureau population estimates for 2006 (the latest data) reveal that metro Atlanta is the national leader in population gains. Atlanta grew by 856,266 from 2000-2006. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates, 2007)
• Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the busiest airport in the world.
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
• How many businesses are here? Nearly 138,000, including the headquarters of 22 Fortune 1,000 companies.
• Metro Atlanta companies employ nearly 3 million people.
• Nearly 1,600 foreign-based facilities operate out of the metro area, employing nearly 80,000 people.
• Atlanta is home to 49 foreign consulates, 31 foreign-American chambers of commerce and 16 trade and tourism offices.
GOVERNMENT
• Who governs Atlanta? The city of Atlanta is governed by Mayor Shirley Franklin and a 15-member City Council. Atlanta's city limits are primarily within Fulton County with a small portion in DeKalb County.
• The metro area's 28 counties and 140 municipalities are governed by boards of commissioners, city councils and mayors. Nearly every county and city has a Web site with pertinent information.
TAXES
Georgia has a personal income tax with a base rate plus 6% based on filing status.
The state sales tax base rate is 4%. Localities can add up to 3%, except the city of Atlanta, which may add up to 4%. For more information, .
Property taxes are assessed on a county-by-county basis for county government and schools. Check your county and school system Web sites for more information.
MORE FAST FACTS ABOUT METRO ATLANTA
EDUCATION
• 35 public school systems and 200 private elementary and secondary schools. For more information on individual schools, go to .
• 45 accredited degree-granting colleges and universities that offer more than 400 fields of study to more than 196,000 students.
COMMUNICATIONS
• Fifteen daily newspapers are published in the area and nearly 60 weekly newspapers. Many of these newspapers have special publications about their local communities that can be a great resource if you're new to the area.
• CNN, Headline News, the Weather Channel and the Cartoon Network are based here.
• There are nearly 20 local television stations and more than 70 radio stations in the market.
TRAFFIC AND COMMUTING
• Three major interstate highways (I-75, I-85 and I-20) converge near the central business district. I-285 circles the city in a 62.7 mile loop. I-575 and I-675 siphon off traffic to the north and south respectively.
• Dial 511 on your cell phone or land line to be connected to a Navigator operator for information on traffic conditions or incidents. Also, provides up-to-the-minute information on traffic conditions and construction news as well as allowing you to calculate commute times from various locations.
MASS TRANSIT
• Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has the capacity to transport nearly 1 million passengers daily through its 46 miles of high-speed rail, 38 rail stations and 200 bus routes. For more information, visit .
• Cobb County Transit (CCT) and Gwinnett County Transit connect to MARTA at various points.
HEALTH CARE
• 61 hospitals (12,000 beds), more than 130,000 health services personnel, nearly 18,000 physicians in metro Atlanta.
Source: Unless otherwise noted, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau,
Atlanta Regional Commission,
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce,
Metro Atlanta Travel Association,
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