ATLANTA BY THE NUMBERS

Atlanta is the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States by population. The metro area has more than 5.3 million residents.

By square miles, it is the third largest at 8,376 square miles. Twenty-eight Georgia counties make up metropolitan Atlanta.

Among college students, Atlanta is consistently ranked as one of the best college towns in the U.S. and in a recent Harris Interactive poll, Atlanta ranked fifth when Americans were asked their favorite places to live or to visit.

Of metro areas with more than two million residents, Atlanta is the second fastest growing city in the country.

ATLANTA STATS

5.3 million residents
9th largest metro
Largest city in Southeast
Established 1837
"a city too busy to hate" —William Hartsfield