The economy is the Atlanta region’s top concern, outpacing crime and other hot-button issues.
The finding was part of the 2024 Metro Atlanta Speaks public opinion survey the Atlanta Regional Commission released on Friday. ARC conducts the survey to gather key insights into quality-of-life issues such as transportation, the economy, and housing.
When asked about the biggest problem facing metro Atlanta, about a third (32%) of respondents said the economy. Another 20% said crime, and 12% named human services.
The results are a change from last year’s survey, which found crime as the region’s top concern, followed by the economy.
The survey also showed a mixed response to a new question this year that asked how people felt about their financial situation compared to a year ago. 39% said they felt roughly the same, 31% said they were worse off, and 28% said they were better off.
However, another quality-of-life question shows that nearly six in 10 residents (59%) said they would stay in their current community if given the choice of moving from metro Atlanta or to a different neighborhood.
“This year’s survey shows that people remain concerned about the economy and other pocketbook issues like housing costs,” Atlanta Mayor and Atlanta Regional Commission Chair Andre Dickens said in an announcement. “Addressing housing affordability remains a priority for ARC and our local partners. We’re committed to driving meaningful change.”
Kennesaw State University’s A.L. Burruss Institute of Public Service and Research fielded the hybrid phone and online survey, which asked questions of 4,081 adult residents across 11 counties in the metro Atlanta region this past August.