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How do you charm more than 5 million people? Throw together world-famous attractions, a long roster of Fortune 500 companies, and, of course, abounding Southern hospitality. If you need proof of Atlanta’s excellence, just ask the residents who decided this bustling city was the perfect place to settle down, launch a career, and raise a family. We caught up with some of the region’s key players—from CEOs to the mayor—to find out what makes life peachy in this vibrant metropolis. Their answers—plus some must-have stats on the local economy, culture, and events—tell the tale of life in Georgia’s thriving capital. 

Live in Atlanta

“The people of Atlanta are the city’s greatest asset. We continue to attract talented people because the city is a warm, caring place with vibrant neighborhoods. There’s a small town charm here that continues to survive despite how fast the area is growing. The metro region is the economic engine of the Southeast and a proven national leader in business development. We’re also the best city in the country for entrepreneurs. Anyone with talent, a dream, and a strong work ethic has the opportunity to succeed in Atlanta.”

—Mayor Kasim Reed

“Atlanta is a city with a can-do attitude. There’s an energy and excitement here that you have to experience firsthand to truly understand the culture. We have amazing restaurants, a vibrant arts and culture scene, a rich history, and miles of green space. Add to it the low cost of doing business and the high concentration of Fortune 500 companies found here, and you can see why Atlanta is growing so rapidly. Whatever your interests may be, Atlanta has something for you. You’ll find this is a city of many stories, and it’s only going to keep getting better.”

—Bill Cronin

Vice President of 

Economic Development

Invest Atlanta

“Atlanta is a very active community with a lot always going on. We have the world’s busiest airport, and you may be surprised to know that our location is within a two-hour flight of about 80 percent of the U.S. population. We just opened a $1.4 billion international terminal and concourse in May, which helps support our goal of making it as easy as possible to get in and out of our airport.”

—Louis Miller

Aviation General Manager

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta

International Airport

“Each neighborhood brings its own personality to the city. Midtown is the heart of the arts in Atlanta, with major cultural institutions like the High Museum of Art. In our Westside district, you’ll find high-end home design stores. With its upscale boutiques and fine dining, Buckhead is considered the Beverly Hills of the East, while Little Five Points’ kitschy shops and independent theater scene offer more of a bohemian experience. Wherever you go, Atlanta’s Southern hospitality is infectious, and visitors will find that our residents are committed to making sure their stay is a memorable one.”

—William Pate

President and CEO

Atlanta Convention & 

Visitors Bureau

Facts of Life in Atlanta

• Greater Atlanta, which includes 28 counties, has a population of more than 5.3 million, making it the ninth-largest metro area in the country. 

• In September 2011, Bloomberg Businessweek named Atlanta one of “America’s 50 Best Cities” based on factors including business climate and cultural amenities. 

• The median age of Greater Atlanta residents is 35. 

• In April 2012, the research organization Measure of America ranked Atlanta No. 14 on its list of the nation’s top metro areas for women’s well-being, based on factors including salary and educational attainment. 

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world’s most-traveled airport, serving more than 92 million passengers annually. 

• The median home price in  Greater Atlanta is $154,000, according to the Atlanta Board of Realtors.

• The investment publication fDi Magazine named Atlanta No. 5 on its list of “American Cities of the Future” for 2011/2012. 

• Greater Atlanta is home to more than 50 colleges, universities, and technical schools, and ranks seventh in student enrollment (250,000 students annually) among America’s largest metro areas. 

Work in Atlanta 

“Atlanta understands its success is closely linked to healthy, growing businesses. Through decades of Atlanta leaders, this region’s success has been defined by a progressive approach to private-public partnerships. This spirit is what makes it easy for us to engage in every aspect of public life in our hometown. Atlanta gave us our character, culture, and values. There would be no Coca-Cola without this city.”

—Muhtar Kent

Chairman and CEO

The Coca-Cola Company

“Metro Atlanta is home to a talented workforce where young, educated professionals thrive. At Georgia Power, we challenge ourselves every day to preserve the environment and strengthen the communities in which we live, work, and serve. In the past 10 years, we’ve brought more than 97,000 jobs to the state. As a company, we want to be judged not only by the electric service we provide, but also by what we do to improve the lives of all Georgians.”

—Pedro Cherry

Vice President of Community and
Economic Development

Georgia Power

Facts of Work in Atlanta

• In May 2011, Porsche announced plans to move its headquarters to Atlanta. The new facility is scheduled to be completed in late 2013 and will include a restaurant, restoration shop, and 1.6-mile test track.

• Atlanta ranks third in the country behind New York and Houston in its number of Fortune 500 companies (10). 

• In June 2012, Forbes named Atlanta among the country’s top 25 cities in which to retire, based on factors including climate and cost of living.  

• Atlanta’s top three largest industry sectors are trade, transportation, and utilities; professional and business services; and government. 

• Among metropolitan areas, Atlanta ranks eighth in the country for its number of small businesses. 

Play in Atlanta 

“The Luckie Marietta District is one of Atlanta’s most vibrant areas, and millions of people visit it each year. There’s a great mix of attractions, including the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Dome, as well as plenty of hotels and some of America’s best restaurants. We have new businesses opening all the time.
The Luckie Marietta District will soon be a household name.”

—Matthew Doyle

Executive Director

Luckie Marietta District

“Atlanta has long been a top destination for families, beginning with the opening of Stone Mountain and Six Flags. The city has added a new family attraction every year for the past seven years, such as the World of Coca-Cola and Legoland. People are 

surprised at how quickly the landscape of our city changes. In just the past five years, $1.5 billion in new development has been added to the city, including 10 new hotels and more than 60 restaurants.”

—William Pate

President and CEO

Atlanta Convention &

Visitors Bureau

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Facts of Play in Atlanta

• The world’s largest drive-in restaurant, The Varsity, opened in Atlanta in 1928 and is still in operation today. 

• There are more than 100 public and private golf courses in Greater Atlanta. 

• The Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park, which hosts more than 425 artists and crafters from around the country, takes place each September. The festival is named after the Confederate Yellow Daisy, a flower that only grows within 60 miles of Stone Mountain and blooms this month. 

• In June 2012, construction on the National Center for Civil and Human Rights began in Atlanta. It’s scheduled to be complete in May 2014. 

 •More than 250 parks are located around Atlanta.