Growing GeorgiaCurrent population (2050 projection)Catoosa County: 65,773 (164,188)Chattooga: 27,335 (42,503)Dade: 16,587 (24,679)Fannin: 23,490 (43,713)Floyd: 97,696 (140,995)Gilmer: 30,095 (89,941)Gordon: 54,925 (112,970)Murray: 42,243 (122,868)Walker: 66,190 (88,747)Whitfield: 96,900 (186,057)Source: Governor’s Office
All of Northwest Georgia is expected to grow, but Catoosa County — which is projected to more than double in size in the next 40 years — is expected to grow more than some areas.
“Catoosa County will be a major player in this region,” said Fort Oglethorpe Mayor Ronnie Cobb.
The Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget published a report in March projecting the population of the 10-county area of Northwest Georgia to add about 495,000 people by 2050. The growth would push the region’s current population of 521,000 to more than 1 million. As a whole, the state is expected to add 4 million people in the next 20 years, going from 10 million residents to 14.7 million, according to the figures.
Population experts say the area’s scenic beauty, climate and proximity to both metro Atlanta and Chattanooga — coupled with jobs and affordable housing — will draw people to the region.