African American Migration Patterns

The map showing African American migration from Chicago illustrates broader demographic shifts that have also affected Atlanta:

• Large-scale movement of African Americans from northern cities to southern states
• Reversal of earlier Great Migration patterns
• Potential impact on racial demographics in both origin and destination cities

For Atlanta, this trend has implications:

• Influx of African American residents, potentially reinforcing existing patterns of racial segregation
• Growth of Atlanta's African American middle class
• Cultural and economic impacts on the region

Vocabulary: The Great Migration refers to the movement of millions of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West during the 20th century.

While this map focuses on Chicago, it represents broader demographic shifts that have contributed to Atlanta's growth and changing racial composition in recent decades.

Population Changes and Growth Patterns

The population change map for 2000-2010 reveals distinct patterns of growth and decline within the Atlanta region:

• Outer suburban areas experienced significant population growth, with some areas more than doubling in population (dark blue).
• The urban core and some inner suburbs saw population declines (red areas).
• A patchwork of growth and decline in middle-ring suburbs (mix of colors).

These patterns reflect classic Suburbanisierung processes, including:

• Outward migration of residents from the city center to suburbs
• Development of new housing and communities in outlying areas
• Potential urban renewal or gentrification in select inner-city neighborhoods

Example: The dark blue areas on the outskirts of the map indicate zones where population at least doubled between 2000 and 2010, showcasing the rapid suburban expansion.

Atlanta's growth in a national context is further illustrated by population statistics:

• Atlanta's MSA population grew from about 3 million in 1990 to nearly 6 million by 2017.
• This growth rate outpaced many other major U.S. metropolitan areas.
• Atlanta ranked as the 9th largest MSA in the U.S. by 2017, reflecting its increasing national importance.

This rapid growth has implications for urban planning, infrastructure, and social dynamics in the region.

Overview of Atlanta's Urban Development

Atlanta exemplifies typical patterns of suburbanization and urban sprawl in North American cities:

• Rapid outward expansion of the metropolitan area since 1950
• Decentralization of population and jobs away from the urban core
• Racial and ethnic segregation between urban and suburban areas
• Development of edge cities and suburban employment centers
• Challenges related to traffic congestion and unsustainable growth

Highlight: Atlanta's metropolitan statistical area (MSA) grew from 3 million in 1990 to nearly 6 million by 2017, making it one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S.

This case study of Atlanta illustrates key concepts in urban geography, including:

• Stadt-Umland-Beziehungen (urban-suburban relationships)
• Racial and socioeconomic segregation
• Polycentric urban structure
• Challenges of urban sprawl