Georgia on My Mind: Understanding How Georgia’s Demographics Inform Our Future
Georgia was among the fastest-growing states in the United States over the past decade, with a population increase of more than one million. An aging population and uneven regional population growth are critical demographic trends for leaders to consider. For example, 25% of Georgians are over 55 today, but that demographic was only 15% of the state population in 2000. Additionally, half of the state’s growth during the past decade was concentrated in five counties, while another 68 lost population. This session will use the latest data to highlight these trends and others unfolding across the Peach State.
Learning Outcomes:
- Increase awareness about Georgia’s population, including key themes of aging population, regional shifts, and racial and ethnic diversity.
- Understand the impacts of an aging population on the state’s workforce demographics and labor market.
- Understand the demographic forces propelling Georgia’s population change.
- Learn what the latest demographic data says about how Georgia and the Southeast’s population is changing in the post-pandemic period.
Presenter:
Taylor Hafley, applied demographer, State Services and Decision Support, Carl Vinson Institute of Government
Taylor is the applied demographer at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. His demographic research and data analysis supports state agencies and local governments as a part of the Workforce Development and Economic Analysis Unit. Among his projects, Taylor partners with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget to produce county-state population projections. He speaks regularly with groups throughout the state about Georgia’s demographic trends.
