Henry County residents were among those polled in the annual Metro Atlanta Speaks survey. They expressed a perhaps surprising result when asked where new development should occur. The Atlanta Regional Commission, in collaboration with Kennesaw State University, published the annual survey results on Friday, November 1, 2024.
Where Should New Development Occur? Survey 2024
The Metro Atlanta Speaks survey is an annual survey asking Atlanta area residents their position on issues facing the region. This year, the survey polled a little over 4,000 respondents in the Atlanta area, and about 300 respondents in Henry County. The survey’s margin of error is 1.5% for the metro area, and 5.6% for Henry County.
One survey question asks “Where should future growth be focused?” According to the survey, Henry County respondents prefer development to occur in rural or undeveloped areas. That’s compared to the other options: in areas where businesses are now, or along existing transportation corridors.
40.4% of Henry County respondents selected the rural growth preference. That’s compared to 34.2% among all respondents in the Atlanta area. Only Rockdale County respondents (48.6%) voiced higher support for rural development. Several other counties were close to Henry’s number: Gwinnett (39.2%), Clayton and Douglas (both 38.7%). Meanwhile, Cherokee County (26.6%) and Forsyth County (26.3%) had the lowest support for rural development.
A comparison is often-made between Cherokee, Henry and Forsyth Counties based on each county’s rapidly-growing and similar populations. Their respondents, however, showed little interest in rural development. Instead, those counties’ respondents voiced the highest support for the two other choices. Forsyth County (30.4%) for areas with businesses now, and Cherokee County (42.1%) for along existing transportation corridors.
Loss of Natural Areas & Preservation of Rural Land
The survey results are a stark contrast to the numerous online discussions where Henry County residents express frustration at the development rate and loss of natural areas within the county. According to Georgia Now & Forever, Henry County saw nearly 50,000 acres develop between 1974–2016. This represents about 24% of the county’s total area. During that same time period, the county lost 25,000 acres of forest cover.
The Henry County future land use map, last adopted in 2023, sets aside a large portion of south and east Henry County for rural residential. This strives to allow little to no development within those areas. The lack of available sewer service is also a factor which can keep development out of those areas.
Editor’s note: the original version of the article incorrectly stated about 200 Henry County residents were polled. The actual number was 301.
Featured image shows a suburban subdivision under construction. Stock photo.
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