Living in Atlanta: Things to Do and See in Atlanta, Georgia

Everything You Wanted to Know About Living in Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia’s largest city and state capital, Atlanta enjoys a reputation as a thriving business center with an eclectic mix of residents backdropped by a city with Southern roots. Winding tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and small charming communities blend seamlessly with city skyscrapers, master-planned communities, and large developments. 

Ask any Atlantan to name a word to describe the changing Atlanta population, the word dynamic often comes to mind. It describes the rapid changes the city has seen and will see in its demographics over the next 10 years. In the past six years, the metro area has added more than 458,568 people annually, more than any other in the United States. At this growth rate, the projected population of Atlanta's 20 core counties for 2020 is 6.4 million.

Atlanta has no natural boundaries, so the metropolitan area is large, encompassing 8,480.27 square miles. Across the region, 28 counties and 140 municipalities govern. The City of Atlanta, in the center of the metropolitan area, encompasses 131 square miles.

Growth means the Atlanta population has become more diverse. In fact, the city's racial diversity is greater than the nation as a whole. Atlanta is also younger than the U.S. population with an average age of 34 compared to 36 for the population as a whole. More than 35 percent of those who moved here from 2000 to 2004 came to Atlanta from a different state. The largest percentage of people came from New York and New Jersey.

If you are planning a visit to Atlanta, be warned. Many people who visit fall in love and decide to call Atlanta home. With great weather, a diverse population, and a strong economy, it's easy to see why.

What to Do and See in Atlanta?

A warm embrace greets visitors to Atlanta. Top-notch shopping, world-class dining, and major attractions are among the greatest rewards. Today there's plenty in town to keep you occupied. The Georgia Aquarium, the largest in the world, draws visitors who want to get up close and personal with whale sharks. A major city means major sports teams—Falcons, Hawks and Braves games make for a great outing. The Woodruff Arts Center is a cultural hub where you can catch a performance by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra or gaze on treasures from the Louvre on loan at the High Museum of Art, and the fizzy World of Coca-Cola is dedicated to the hometown beverage.  

What are the Major Areas of Atlanta?

Atlanta proper has three major areas—Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead—as well as many smaller commercial districts and in-town neighborhoods. Downtown is filled with government staffers and office workers by day, but at night the visiting conventioneers and residents come out to play. Buckhead, Midtown, Virginia-Highland, and Little Five Points are great places to go for dinner, nightclubs, and shows. Other neighborhoods like East Atlanta, Grant Park, and Decatur have unique characteristics that merit exploration.

The greater Atlanta area embraces several different counties. The city of Atlanta is primarily in Fulton and DeKalb counties, although its southern end and the airport are in Clayton County. Outside Interstate 285, which encircles the city, Cobb, Gwinnett, and northern Fulton counties are experiencing much of Atlanta's population increase. 

Sources: fodors.com, atlanta.com, atlanta.net

How Many People Live in Atlanta?

Population: 486,290 (2017)

What Languages Are Spoken in Atlanta?

Language: English

What is the Currency in Atlanta?

Currency: USD

Explore our luxury properties for sale in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta Map: Homes on the Market