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Metro Atlanta's growth is slowing to its weakest pace since 2012-13

The 11-county region added 53,690 residents in the year through April, a 1% growth rate the Atlanta Regional Commission blames largely on tight, expensive housing.

Bar chart comparing metro Atlanta population growth: 1.2 percent in the prior year and 1.0 percent in the latest year; 53,690 residents were added.
Project imageMetro Atlanta's annual population growth rate declined from 1.2% to 1.0%.Urban Atlanta / Data from Atlanta Regional Commission

Published Aug 13, 2026

The Atlanta Regional Commission's latest estimate puts the 11-county metro's population growth at 1% for the year ending April 2026, down from 1.2% the prior year and the slowest rate since 2012-13. The region still added 53,690 residents, and every one of the 11 counties grew, led by Fulton County at 1.9%, followed by Forsyth at 1.5% and Henry at 1.3%.

ARC points to a decline in home-building permits and persistently high home prices as the main drag, especially on people moving in from elsewhere.

Location11-county metro Atlanta region
Scale+53,690 residents, 1% growth rate
TimelineApril 2025-April 2026
WhoAtlanta Regional Commission
LinksAtlanta Regional Commission
Sources and documents2 sources
↗ Atlanta Regional Commission↗ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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