White population decreases as a percentage of the whole by 7 points; black numbers go up 4 points —
Though not increasing in population as fast as many counties in metro Atlanta, Fayette County’s population is growing incrementally. A new report by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is estimating Fayette’s 2019 population at 118,000, up from 110,700 in 2015.
ARC on Aug. 28 estimated Fayette’s 2019 population at 118,000, up from 116,200 in 2018 and 110,700 in 2015. Fayette’s population in the last census in 2010 showed a population of 106,564, according to census data.
The ARC report also provided a demographic breakdown for race and ethnicity and for the percentage of population age 65 and older.
In terms of race and ethnicity:
The white population decreased from 68 percent in 2010 to 61 percent in 2018.
The black population increased from 20 percent in 2010 to 24 percent in 2018.
The Hispanic population increased from 6 percent in 2010 to 7 percent in 2018.
The Asian population increased from 4 percent in 2010 to 5 percent in 2018.
In terms of the percentage of Fayette residents age 65 and older, the ARC data showed 13 percent in 2010 and 18 percent in 2018.
Across the 10-county metro Atlanta area, the percentage of those age 65 and older was 9 percent in 2010 and 12 percent in 2018.
In a related matter, a demographic study conducted for the Fayette County Board of Education in late 2018 projected that a total of 34 percent of Fayette’s population would be age 60 and older by 2025.
Across the 10-county region, metro Atlanta added 72,500 people in the past year, pushing the region’s 10-county population to more than 4.6 million, according to 2019 population estimates released ARC on Aug. 28.
Each of metro Atlanta’s 10 counties saw population increases in the past year. Fulton and Gwinnett counties added the most residents, while the highest growth rates occurred in Cherokee and Henry counties and the City of Atlanta, according to ARC.
“The Atlanta region’s growth remains strong, driven by our diverse economy and great quality of life,” said Doug Hooker, Executive Director of ARC. “But to ensure our region’s future success, we must continue to invest in our region’s infrastructure and tackle key issues like housing affordability and equity.”
