Fulton County, situated in the north-central region of Georgia and bordering Cobb, DeKalb, and Clayton counties, boasts a population of around 1.07 million people as of the 2022 estimates. Notably, the county surpasses both the state and national averages in terms of median household income, standing at $82,820 in 2021, compared to Georgia’s $64,034 and the nation’s $67,521.
Although Fulton County outpaces many areas economically, it’s crucial to acknowledge the disparities among its neighborhoods. Certain communities face considerable challenges, including low incomes, elevated poverty rates, heightened unemployment, limited educational opportunities, and restricted access to healthcare and social services.
In this piece, we’ll delve into five of the county’s most underprivileged neighborhoods, as determined by data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) covering the period of 2017-2021. We’ll utilize various indicators to gauge these disparities:
1. Adamsville
Adamsville, located in the southwestern part of Fulton County, near Cascade Heights and Collier Heights, is an urban area predominantly inhabited by Black or African American residents. With a population of approximately 11,000 people, Adamsville faces substantial socioeconomic challenges, as per ACS data, including:
- A median household income of $28,000, which is 66.2% lower than the county median and 58.6% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 37%, nearly three times higher than the county’s rate and almost three times higher than the national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 15%, more than twice the county’s rate and national rate.
- An educational attainment rate of 74%, indicating that about three-fourths of the adult population have completed high school or higher.
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2. Center Hill
Center Hill, situated in northwestern Fulton County, near Grove Park and Bankhead, is another urban neighborhood with a predominantly Black or African American population. Its population is approximately 9,000, and it grapples with significant socioeconomic challenges, including:
- A median household income of $29,000, which is 64.9% lower than the county median and 57.2% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 35%, almost three times higher than the county’s rate and nearly three times higher than the national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 14%, more than twice the county’s rate and national rate.
- An educational attainment rate of 72%, indicating that about two-thirds of the adult population have completed high school or higher.
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3. Oakland City
Located in southwestern Fulton County, near West End and Venetian Hills, Oakland City is an urban neighborhood known for its diverse population, including Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, and Asians. With a population of approximately 8,000 people, it faces significant socioeconomic challenges, including:
- A median household income of $30,000, which is 63.7% lower than the county median and 55.6% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 33%, more than twice as high as the county’s rate and more than twice as high as the national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 13%, higher than the county’s rate and the national rate.
- An educational attainment rate of 76%, indicating that about three-fourths of the adult population have completed high school or higher.
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4. English Avenue
English Avenue, situated in central Fulton County, near Vine City and Downtown Atlanta, is an urban neighborhood predominantly inhabited by Black or African American residents. With a population of about 3,000 people, it faces considerable socioeconomic challenges, including:
- A median household income of $31,000, which is 62.5% lower than the county median and 54.1% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 31%, more than twice as high as the county’s rate and more than twice as high as the national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 12%, higher than the county’s rate and the national rate.
- An educational attainment rate of 68%, indicating that only about two-thirds of the adult population have completed high school or higher.
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5. Mechanicsville
Mechanicsville, located in southern Fulton County, near Peoplestown and Summerhill, is an urban neighborhood known for its diverse population, including Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, and Asians. With a population of about 3,000 people, it faces significant socioeconomic challenges, including:
- A median household income of $32,000, which is 61.3% lower than the county median and 52.6% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 29%, more than twice as high as the county’s rate and more than twice as high as the national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 11%, higher than the county’s rate and the national rate.
- An educational attainment rate of 70%, indicating that about two-thirds of the adult population have completed high school or higher.
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Conclusion
While Fulton County, Georgia, enjoys a robust economy and a dense population, it also grapples with significant disparities in income, poverty, unemployment, and education across its neighborhoods. Adamsville, Center Hill, Oakland City, English Avenue, and Mechanicsville are among the county’s most impoverished neighborhoods, facing various challenges, including low incomes, high poverty rates, elevated unemployment, limited educational attainment, and restricted access to healthcare and social services. Addressing these issues necessitates coordinated efforts from various stakeholders to enhance the well-being and quality of life for residents in these communities.