Issue link: http://savannah.uberflip.com/i/1542376
30 13 Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce 2026 Economic Trends Demographics: Population Dynamic population growth, a robust business climate, and a thriving artistic and cultural community combine 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 as one of the "Top 10 Most Beautiful Cities to Live in the US" (#5) by Newsbreak, "7 Best Train Routes in the South" by Travel + Leisure and was named #2 for "The South's 20 Best Cities 2025" by Southern Living, March 2025. 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 as part of the Hinesville MSA, Bulloch County of the Statesboro MSA, Wayne County of the Jesup MSA, and South Carolina's Beaufort and Jasper counties. Chatham County, with 307,336 residents is the fifth most populous county in Georgia and serves as the economic hub of the region. Furthermore, over 875,000 people now live, work, and shop in the Savannah Primary Trade Area, which from 2010 to 2024, added over 13,000 net new residents a year. Jasper County was the fastest growing county in 2024 (+5.9%). Beaufort County, SC added the most people (2,814) from 2023 to 2024. All nine counties in the Savannah primary trade area experienced population growth in 2024. Population growth in 2023 to 2024 was somewhat lower than the previous fourteen-year annual average for the CSA. Chatham County continues to be the most densely populated county, with 708 persons per square mile. Wayne County is the least densely populated with 50 persons per square mile. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Population Estimates program, retrieved 11/16/25. Data for 2010 to 2020 are "vintage" 2020, while data for 2021 to 2024 are "vintage" 2024 data. NOTE: Statesboro/Bulloch County added to CSA in 2013. Jesup/Wayne County added to CSA in 2018. Chatham 265,799 295,714 301,512 304,757 307,336 1.3% 0.8% 434:708 Effingham 52,464 66,795 69,030 71,549 73,148 3.3% 2.2% 479:153 Bryan 30,377 46,976 48,316 49,876 51,105 5.7% 2.5% 438:117 Savannah MSA 348,640 409,485 418,858 426,182 431,589 2.0% 1.3% 1351:319 Bulloch 70,559 80,682 83,027 84,332 85,454 1.8% 1.3% 676:126 Liberty 62,765 66,771 68,031 68,235 68,607 0.8% 0.5% 516:133 Long 14,574 17,105 18,409 19,651 20,439 3.4% 4.0% 400:51 Wayne 30,074 30,231 30,786 31,449 32,132 0.6% 2.2% 642:50 Beaufort (SC) 162,829 191,946 195,932 198,961 201,775 2.0% 1.4% 576:350 Jasper (SC) 24,948 30,434 31,988 33,642 35,618 3.6% 5.9% 655:54 875,614 1.9% 1.5% 4936:177 Savannah Primary Trade Area 714,389 826,654 847,031 862,452 2024 2010-2024 Average Annual Growth 2023-2024 Growth Land Area (square miles): Persons Per Sq. Mile Savannah/ Hinesville/ Statesboro CSA 526,612 604,274 619,111 629,849 638,221 1.8% 1.3% 3585:178 Area 2010 2021 2022 2023