Issue link: http://savannah.uberflip.com/i/939381
34 Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce 2018 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, "Travelers' Choice: Top 25 U.S. Destinations" (#16), received the "Award of Excellence" from Corporate & Incentive Travel and was named one of the "25 Most Romantic Cities in America" (#3) by OpenTable.com. 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 almost 290,000 residents is the fifth most populous county in Georgia and serves as the economic hub of the region. Furthermore, about 750,000 people now live, work, and shop in the Savannah Primary Trade Area, which from 2000 to 2016, added about 11,100 net new residents a year. Long County was the fastest growing County in 2016 (+4.0%), while Beaufort County added the most people (3,560). All counties experienced population growth in 2016. Chatham County continues to be the most densely populated county, with 679 persons per square mile. Long County and Jasper counties are the least densely populated counties with 46 and 43 persons per square mile respectively. Area 2000 2013 2014 2015 2016 2000-2016 Average Annual Growth 2015-2016 Growth Land Area (square miles)/ Persons Per Sq. Mile Chatham 232,048 278,105 282,989 286,956 289,082 1.54% 0.74% 426/679 Effingham 37,535 54,513 55,447 57,106 58,712 3.53% 2.81% 478/123 Bryan 23,417 33,158 33,921 35,137 36,230 3.42% 3.11% 436/83 Savannah MSA 293,000 365,776 372,357 379,199 384,024 1.94% 1.27% 1,340/287 Liberty 61,610 64,020 65,141 62,467 62,570 0.10% 0.16% 490/128 Long 10,304 16,628 17,176 17,731 18,437 4.93% 3.98% 400/46 Bulloch 55,983 71,358 72,217 72,651 74,722 2.09% 2.85% 673/111 Savannah/ Hinesville/ Statesboro CSA 420,897 517,782 526,891 532,048 539,753 1.76% 1.45% 2,903/183 Beaufort (SC) 120,937 170,991 175,118 179,589 183,149 3.22% 1.98% 576/318 Jasper (SC) 20,678 26,580 27,019 27,824 28,465 2.35% 2.30% 655/43 Savannah Primary Trade Area 562,512 715,353 729,028 739,461 751,367 2.10% 1.61% 4,134/179 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 12/11/17. 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 to now include Bulloch County.