Methodology
This survey was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc. from June 30 through July 3, 2001. A total of 631 registered “likely” voters were interviewed statewide by telephone. Those interviewed were selected by a random variation of the last four digits of telephone numbers. A cross-section of telephone exchanges was utilized to ensure an accurate reflection of the demographic profile of Georgia.
The margin for error, according to standards customarily used by statisticians, is no more than ±3.98 percentage points for the entire sample. This means that there is a 95 percent probability that the "true" figure would fall within that range if all registered “likely” voters were interviewed. The margin for error is larger for any subgroup of the sample.
Findings
1. “According to the US Census, Georgia’s population is currently 8.1 million people and is expected to increase by an additional 25% or by 2 million people in the next 25 years. If current growth and population trends continue, do you think that the quality of life in Georgia will improve, deteriorate, or stay about the same?”
| STATE | ATLANTA | |
| IMPROVE | 14.7% | 8.3% |
| STAY SAME | 43.4% | 39.3% |
| DETERIORATE | 39.0% | 50.0% |
| DON'T KNOW/REFUSED | 2.9% | 2.5% |
2. “Because of population growth and resulting development pressures…
• Between 1992 and 1997 alone, Georgia lost over a million acres of farms and forestland to development,
• About two-thirds of the trees that used to drape in a canopy over the Atlanta area have been cut down for development further aggravating the city’s smog problem, and,
• some of Georgia cities face water shortages by 2020 unless local utilities find new supplies.
With these facts in minds, do you think that if current growth and population trends continue, the quality of life in Georgia will improve, deteriorate, or stay about the same?”
| STATE | ATLANTA | |
| IMPROVE | 7.4% | 2.5% |
| STAY SAME | 22.8% | 23.9% |
| DETERIORATE | 69.1% | 72.7% |
| DON'T KNOW/REFUSED | 0.6% | 0.9% |
3. “Thinking about the number of people in your region of the state, and the impact of the population on the environment, traffic, schools, and other infrastructure, would you say that the state’s population is: (too large, just about right, too small)”
| STATE | ATLANTA | |
| TOO LARGE | 35.5% | 43.6% |
| ABOUT RIGHT | 55.8% | 48.8% |
| TOO SMALL | 5.9% | 5.2% |
| DON'T KNOW/REFUSED | 2.9% | 2.5% |
4. “Would you say that the rate of new houses being built in your and surrounding communities is much too fast, a little fast at about the right pace or too slow?”
| STATE | ATLANTA | ||||
| MUCH TOO FAST | 37.6% | 48.5% | |||
| A LITTLE FAST | 21.4% | 59.0% | 22.4% | 70.9% | |
| TOO SLOW | 7.1% | 1.8% | |||
| DON'T KNOW/REFUSED | 0.8% | 0.6% |
5. “Please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statements:
The current pace of development and population growth and resulting congestion has caused my family to spend more time in traffic and less time with each other.”
| STATE | ATLANTA | ||||
| STRONGLY AGREE | 37.6% | 48.5% | |||
| SOMEWHAT AGREE | 27.3% | 64.9% | 32.2% | 80.7% | |
| SOMEWHAT DISAGREE | 23.5% | 13.2% | |||
| STRONGLY DISAGREE | 9.8% | 4.9% | |||
| DON'T KNOW/REFUSED | 1.9% | 1.2% |
6. “State and federal leaders have a responsibility to enact policies that reduce development and slow population growth so that a high quality of life, a healthy environment and a sound economy can be maintained.”
| STATE | ATLANTA | ||||
| STRONGLY AGREE | 29.8% | 32.5% | |||
| SOMEWHAT AGREE | 37.7% | 67.5% | 31.3% | 63.8% | |
| SOMEWHAT DISAGREE | 18.5% | 23.3% | |||
| STRONGLY DISAGREE | 12.2% | 11.3% | |||
| DON'T KNOW/REFUSED | 1.7% | 1.5% |
7. “Sprawl can never be controlled unless the state’s population stops growing.”
| STATE | ATLANTA | ||||
| STRONGLY AGREE | 20.6% | 19.3% | |||
| SOMEWHAT AGREE | 35.5% | 56.1% | 32.5% | 51.8% | |
| SOMEWHAT DISAGREE | 28.2% | 31.9% | |||
| STRONGLY DISAGREE | 12.5% | 13.8% | |||
| DON'T KNOW/REFUSED | 3.2% | 2.5% |
8. “Now I am going to read the latest government statistics about population nationwide.
• The U.S. population has grown to 283 million; a 13 percent increase in the last decade.
• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, immigration has accounted for more than two-thirds of our growth.
• Currently, more than one million new legal immigrants are admitted to the U.S. each year.
How concerned are you about the level of immigration to the United States? (Very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned, not at all concerned)”
| STATE | ATLANTA | ||||
| EXTREMELY CONCERNED | 42.5% | 38.3% | |||
| SOMEWHAT CONCERNED | 31.5% | 74.0% | 33.7% | 72.0% | |
| NOT TOO CONCERNED | 14.4% | 17.5% | |||
| NOT AT ALL CONCERNED | 11.3% | 10.1% | |||
| DON'T KNOW/REFUSED | 0.3% | 0.3% |
9. “Here are a few government statistics about immigration in Georgia.
• According to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, in 1998, Georgia ranked as the thirteenth largest immigrant-receiving state, with over 10,000 legal immigrants.
• In addition, the INS estimates that as of 1996, more than 32,000 illegal immigrants reside in Georgia.
How concerned are you about the level of immigration to the state of Georgia? (Extremely concerned, somewhat, not too, not at all)”
| STATE | ATLANTA | ||||
| EXTREMELY CONCERNED | 43.6% | 39.6% | |||
| SOMEWHAT CONCERNED | 35.0% | 78.6% | 35.9% | 75.5% | |
| NOT TOO CONCERNED | 12.5% | 14.7% | |||
| NOT AT ALL CONCERNED | 8.4% | 9.2% | |||
| DON'T KNOW/REFUSED | 0.5% | 0.6% |
10. Currently some members of Congress are proposing an amnesty for as many as 10 million illegal immigrants presently living in the U.S.
Do you favor or oppose this plan?
| STATE | ATLANTA | |
| FAVOR | 22.8% | 25.5% |
| OPPOSE | 60.5% | 54.0% |
| DON'T KNOW/REFUSED | 16.6% | 20.6% |
11. How confident are you that elected officials in the state of Georgia are effectively balancing development and population growth with maintaining the quality of life in Georgia.
Are you;
| STATE | ATLANTA | ||||
| VERY CONFIDENT | 5.4% | 6.4% | |||
| SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT | 38.4% | 31.9% | |||
| NOT TOO CONFIDENT | 39.5% | 42.3% | |||
| NOT AT ALL CONFIDENT | 15.8% | 55.3% | 18.4% | 60.7% | |
| DON'T KNOW/REFUSED | 1.0% | 0.9% |
Demographics
| AGE | |
| 18-29 | 11.9% |
| 30-44 | 31.9% |
| 45-59 | 28.7% |
| 60 PLUS | 26.8% |
| REFUSED | 0.8% |
| RACE | |
| WHITE | 72.4% |
| AFRICAN AMERICAN | 25.8% |
| OTHER | 0.6% |
| REFUSED | 1.1% |
| SEX | |
| MALE | 48.8% |
| FEMALE | 51.2% |
| REGION | |
| FULTON/DEKALB | 19.0% |
| ATLANTA SUBURBS | 32.6% |
| NORTH GEORGIA | 13.3% |
| CENTRAL GEORGIA | 12.7% |
| SOUTHEAST GEORGIA | 11.6% |
| SOUTHWEST GEORGIA | 10.8% |
OTHER GEORGIA INFORMATION
• Georgia Survey Results (graphical representation)
• NPG Report and Summary: Georgia's Dilemma: The Unintended Consequences of Population Growth
• Georgia Population Facts & Figures
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