Emory’s nearly 11,000 full-time undergraduate and graduate students spent $71.9 million in the local economy last year on such things as housing, food, clothing, and transportation. Students living off campus spent nearly $22 million on housing alone. In addition, Emory students spent $25 million at metro-area grocery stores and restaurants, and more than $10.6 million on clothing. As this money was spent, it generated another $64.3 million in economic activity. The direct and indirect impact of Emory student spending in Atlanta, then, totals $136.3 million—a healthy financial base for landlords, restaurateurs, and retailers across the city.

Each year thousands of parents, friends, scholars, hospital patients, and hospital visitors come to Atlanta because of Emory. In fact, an estimated 153,000 Emory visitors spent at least one night in Atlanta in 1999. These overnight visitors spent a total of 299,391 visitor days in Atlanta and spent $69.3 million on lodging, food, and other expenses last year. This money indirectly led to another $78.5 million in economic activity, as their spending rippled throughout the economy. The total economic impact of visitors who come to Atlanta because of Emory is $147.8 million, roughly equal to the impact the city would receive from hosting three Major League Baseball All-Star Games each year.

Retirees of Emory spent $31.4 million, and those dollars indirectly led to another $29.2 million impact on the economy.

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