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 people. An aging population and regionally uneven population growth are critical demographic trends for leaders to consider. For example, currently 25% of all Georgians are over 55, but in 2000 that demographic made up only 15% of the state’s population. Additionally, half of the state’s growth during the past decade was concentrated in five counties, while 68 counties 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
Target Audience: PSO faculty and staff
Format: Presentation with Q&A
Presenter:
Taylor Hafley, applied demographer, Carl Vinson Institute of Government
As the applied demographer at the Institute of Government, Taylor provides demographic research and data analysis to state agencies and local government partners. 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. Taylor holds bachelor’s degrees in geography and political science from Wittenberg University, a master’s degree in geography from the University of Denver and is a PhD candidate in the Department of Geography at UGA.
