Issue link: http://savannah.uberflip.com/i/1079136
55 Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce 2019 Economic Trends 10 Demographics: Population Dynamic population growth, a robust business climate, and a thriving artistic and cultural community come together to create the highest quality work and home environments in Savannah, one of the nation's loveliest and most historic port cities. Savannah's allure has been recognized nationally by Trip Advisor as "Top 30 Cities to Visit in 2018," "The South's Best Cities' (#2) by Southern Living, and was named one of the "25 Most Romantic North American Destinations" (#2) by USA Today. Growing Population Spurs Economic Growth Savannah's local market region extends in a 40-mile radius from its historic downtown. Commuters, shoppers, students, visitors, and others are economically and socially linked in a primary trade area that includes Liberty and Long counties in the Hinesville/Ft. Stewart MSA and portions of Beaufort and Jasper counties in South Carolina. Chatham County, with 290,500 residents is the fifth most populous county in Georgia and serves as the economic hub of the region. Furthermore, almost 760,000 people now live, work, and shop in the Savannah Primary Trade Area, which from 2000 to 2017, added about 11,600 net new residents a year. Bryan County was the fastest growing County in 2017 (+3.4%), while Beaufort County added the most people (3,347). All counties experienced population growth in 2017, while Liberty County effectively held steady. Chatham County continues to be the most densely populated county, with 682 persons per square mile. Long County and Jasper counties are the least densely populated counties with 48 and 43 persons per square mile, respectively. Area 2000 2014 2015 2016 2017 2000-2017 Average Annual Growth 2016-2017 Growth Land Area (square miles)/ Persons Per Sq. Mile Chatham 232,048 282,858 286,819 289,390 290,501 1.48% 0.38% 426/682 Effingham 37,535 55,414 57,047 58,533 59,982 3.52% 2.48% 478/125 Bryan 23,417 33,678 34,798 35,842 37,060 3.43% 3.40% 436/85 Savannah MSA 293,000 371,950 378,664 383,765 387,543 1.90% 0.98% 1,340/289 Liberty 61,610 64,016 61,524 61,390 61,386 -0.02% -0.01% 490/125 Long 10,304 17,196 17,861 18,594 19,014 4.97% 2.26% 400/48 Bulloch 55,983 72,734 73,233 74,721 76,149 2.12% 1.91% 673/113 Savannah/ Hinesville/ Statesboro CSA 420,897 525,896 531,282 538,470 544,470 1.72% 1.04% 2,903/187 Beaufort (SC) 120,937 175,233 179,896 183,497 186,844 3.21% 1.82% 576/324 Jasper (SC) 20,678 26,762 27,605 27,605 28,071 2.21% 1.38% 655/43 Savannah Primary Trade Area 562,512 727,891 738,783 750,038 759,394 2.06% 1.25% 4,134/184 Savannah MSA, CSA, and Primary Trade Area County Estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau. Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Annual Population Estimates retrieved 12/12/18. NOTE: *The Census Bureau's population estimates are revised: numbers for previous years have been updated. NOTE: *Statesboro was added to the CSA in 2013 and now includes Bulloch County.