Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Atlanta, Georgia
State Georgia
City Atlanta
County1 Fulton*
City Population (2005)2 394,929 4.5% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 41 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 41 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Mid
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Atlanta
State Population (2005)2 8,821,142
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Shirley Franklin
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.atlantaga.gov/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 404-330-6100
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, November 3, 2009
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  Yes
State Governor Name Sonny Perdue
State/Governor Website http://www.georgia.gov/00/home/0,2061,4802,00.html
State/Governor Contact Information 404-656-1776
State/Governor Party Affiliation Republican
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
«Back to Map     Top↑
Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.39    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 19.9%    
     Disability Status 12.4% 16  
     Emphysema 1.01% 8  
     Cardiovascular Disease 21.81% 10  
     Diabetes 4.52% 10  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.50% 24  
     Adult Asthma 7.84% 24  
     Adult Obesity 22.1%   39
     People Without Health Insurance 18.1%   43
     Age: Children under 5 years 6.1% 8  
     Age: 65 years and over 9.3% 16  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 38.0% 64  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 18.3% 30  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 60.4% 8  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 9.5% 53  
     Individuals Below Poverty 27.8% 67  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 38.8% 70  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 76.4% 60  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 9.4% 20  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 3.3    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 34.0 (of 51) 43  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 92,922,278 pounds   39
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 70,151,796 pounds 34
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 9,649,607 pounds 37
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 725,772,676 pounds 38
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 888,267,698 pounds 41
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 1,014.2 grams 48
Number of Superfund Sites in County 0 sites 1  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 1.333 tons per person 43
Recycling Rate (1997) 33.0% 13
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 8,142,378 tons 35
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 0.9 tons/person 2
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 675,817 tons 30
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 8.30% 44
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 1.1% 28
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) -32.5% 1
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -74.8% 47
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    3.5***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 512,700 tons   44
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 146,500 tons   38
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 83,942,600 tons   39
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 2,880.0 pounds   40
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 7.8 days 37  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 4.8 PM2.5 51  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 18.0 PM2.5 58  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 9.3 days 46  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 4.0 PM2.5 49  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 17.5 PM2.5 57  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 3 ppm 16  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) 0.10 ug/m3 23  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.017 ppm 23  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 28 ug/m3 38  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.003 ppm 15  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score) 3.6    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade Fair ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade Fair ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade Poor ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Upper Ocmulgee ---  
# of Units in Watershed 169 units 9  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 169 units 8  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 100 units 56  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 59.2% 26  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 0.0% 1  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 50.77 inches 9  
Water Area Total, square miles 1,058 square miles 45  
Water Area Inland, square miles 1,011 square miles 35  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 47 square miles 33  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Atlanta ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 64 years 4  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 116 days 24  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Atlanta ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 62 years 9  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 2.0 inches 46  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 5,820,000,000 gallons/day 48  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 799,000,000 gallons/day 56  
Ground water, gallons/day 1,190,000,000 gallons/day 33  
Surface water, gallons/day 4,630,000,000 gallons/day 44  
Irrigation, gallons/day 722,000,000 gallons/day 38  
Public Supply, gallons/day 1,250,000,000 gallons/day 25  
Industrial, gallons/day 676,000,000 gallons/day 25  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 3,070,000,000 gallons/day 40  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 1,170,000,000 gallons/day 36  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier City of Atlanta Water ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 650,000 people 27  
Year(s) Included in Summary (Not Available) ---  
Total Contaminants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Industrial Pollutants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water (Not Available) ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested (Not Available) (Not Available)  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 2 violations 53  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 1 violation 51  
Reporting Violations 1 violation 63  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 3.1    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 3,161.2 people per square mile 38  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 1,418.8 housing units per square mile 34  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 28.3 minutes 60  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 25.8 minutes 59  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 12.4% 46  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 15.0% 11  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 3.8% 27  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 3.8% 8  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 103.6 34  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 87.6 MV registrations   36
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 102.5%   50
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 47.5 MV registrations   27
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.34 MV registrations   43
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 116,534 miles   41
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.457%   32
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 24.5%   19
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.02 miles   22
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 15.08 miles   18
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $1,756,000,000   29
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $15,069 per mile   14
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 22.2%   5
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 34.0 hours per person 45  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $584 per person 46  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $1,754,000,000 39  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 24 gallons per person 52  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $37,385 45  
Median Household Income (2000) $34,770 53  
Per capita income (2004) $34,304 3  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $25,772 6  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 23.9% 66  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 24.4% 64  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 27.8% 67  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 5.5% 49  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 38.8% 70  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 20,352 people 38  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 6.5% 52  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 9.5% 53  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 9.0% 72  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 14.0% 71  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -38.0% 2  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -47.4% 2  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Same as Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.15 per hour 28  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 66,843 kids (0.8% of total pop.) 44  
Largest School District Enrollment 58,230 kids (0.7% of total pop.) 36  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 76.4% 60  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 39.6% 62  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 81.7% 43  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 42.9% 5  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 38% 64  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Behind the Curve   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade C   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 166,312 units 38  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 53.2% 17  
Cost of Living: Housing 88.8 37  
Cost of Living: Utilities 93.2 20  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 98.8 29  
Cost of Living: Overall 95.6 35  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 57.38%   39
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 40.10%   47
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 52.40%   42
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 24.9%   43
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 9,558.3 incidents per 100,000 people 66  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 1,842.0 incidents per 100,000 people 70  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 7,716.3 incidents per 100,000 people 60  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 10,839.0 incidents per 100,000 people 69  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 3.6    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 2.1 parks per square mile 10  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 24.1 park acres per city square mile 33  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 7.8 acres 36  
Parkland as % of City Area 3.8% 46  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $88 per resident 29  
Total City Tree Canopy % 59.2% 1  
Total City Urbanized Area % 30.7% 4  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users Yes ---  
Disability Advisory Committees No ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks No ---  
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.9    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.50% 24
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 7.84% 24
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 2.99% 18
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.01% 8
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 21.81% 10
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.52% 10  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 22.1% 39
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 12.9% 48
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 13.0% 31
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 8.9% 44
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 200.1 31
Cost of Living: Health 104.3 32  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 16.9% 36
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 18.1% 43
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 7.1% 45
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 1.2% 47
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 18 farms 13
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 11 markets 29
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 3 restaurants 16
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 5 grocery stores 8
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 4 other sources 16
Cost of Living: Food 99.0 24
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 79.7% 50
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 40.3% 30
«Back to Map     Top↑
(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score)    3.4***    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 3 programs   3
Net Metering No Net Metering   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 10 kW   34
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 100 kW   9
Completed Climate Action Plans No State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds None   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 0%   20
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards (Not Available)   (Not Available)
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems No   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol None   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) Yes ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 5.9%   23
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 61 years 4
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 59% 23
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 9.1 mph 27
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 10.4 mph 21
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.7 mph 35
Heating Degree Days 2,991 days 15
Cooling Degree Days 1,667 days 46
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 38 years 26
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 82% 40
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 56% 20
Elevation, feet 1,050 feet 56
 
«Back to Map     Top↑

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 394,929 41 (of 72 in EDN study) 4.5% of state population
City Population (2000) 416,474 39 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 8,821,142 9 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region South ---  
EPA Region 4 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 132.0 square miles 35 0.2% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 57,919 square miles 21  
Watershed Name Upper Ocmulgee ---  
Elevation, feet 1,050 ft. (319.4 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 42.7°F (5.9°C) 26
Average Daily Temperature - July 80.0°F (26.7°C) 47  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 33.8 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 74.8% 28  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 9.3% 57  
Under 5 years of age 21,217 kids (6.1% of total pop.) 49  
One Race-White % (2005) 36.2% 62  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 63.8% 11  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 4.7% 57  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 9.4% 53  
Largest School District Name Atlanta City ---  
 
«Back to Map     Top↑
 
1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
«Back to Map 
© 2006 Earth Day Network