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Black mecca math: How does Atlanta stack up? It’s complicated.

Our AJC data team helps us make sense of city and metro area trends.
Atlanta: America’s Black Mecca? (Philip Robibero/AJC illustration)

Atlanta: America’s Black Mecca? (Philip Robibero/AJC illustration)
April 29, 2025

During his annual State of the City address earlier this year, Mayor Andre Dickens was boastful about Atlanta’s being a place where Black residents can thrive.

Citing credited (and uncredited) data points, Hizzoner reeled off a list of superlatives. It’s true that Atlanta and the metro area ranks high for Black-owned business, homeownership and in-migration. Of course, like any major city with large Black populations, there are challenges.

Let’s talk Black Mecca math. Credit: AJC | Getty Images | City of Atlanta Mayor's Office | Outkast LaFace/Arista Records | Pew Research | Annie E. Casey Foundation | ACS | Forbes Advisor

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A predominantly Black city?

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On the move

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ExploreIs Atlanta still America’s Black mecca? This native isn’t so sure

Haves and have-nots

uoy tuohtiw etihw ot ot ot eht eht eht eht lleps ,yldas ,stnediser stnediser troper eno fo naidem naidem tsegral ti si si ytilauqeni ,emocni emocni emocni ni dlohesuoh dlohesuoh spag rof rof .yrtnuoc derapmoc semoc t’nac yb gnidrocca a nehW sihT nI .noitadnuoF .E yesaC etihw-kcalB kcalB ,atnaltA einnA .L-T-A ,458,83$ 591,411$

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etihw saw ot eht eht eht naht naht naht .stnediser stnediser stnediser erom ortem naidem naidem ssel ssel emocni emocni dlohesuoh dlohesuoh rof rof .atad ,aera dna gnidrocca s’tahT nI susneC kcalB atnaltA naisA 3202 ,969,07$ 000,04$ 000,03$

saw eht stnediser ,ecar fo naidem emocni dlohesuoh yna dna onitaL cinapsiH roF .524,37$

American dream, deferred

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Job seekers check in as they enter 2023 ATL Airport Career Fair at the domestic terminal atrium of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Atlanta, GA. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Job seekers check in as they enter 2023 ATL Airport Career Fair at the domestic terminal atrium of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Atlanta, GA. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

‘Git up, Git out’

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ExploreIs Atlanta living up to its 'Black mecca' reputation? You tell us
Graduates, faculty and family gather for the Clark Atlanta University 35th annual commencement convocation. Sat., May 18, 2024 (Ben Hendren for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Graduates, faculty and family gather for the Clark Atlanta University 35th annual commencement convocation. Sat., May 18, 2024 (Ben Hendren for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Educational attainment

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Several nonprofit, nonpartisan groups, including Deborah Scott, CEO of Georgia Stand Up, dance, cheer and provide free food, information and swag to encourage people to vote Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Jenni Girtman for the AJC)

Credit: Jenni Girtman for the AJC

Several nonprofit, nonpartisan groups, including Deborah Scott, CEO of Georgia Stand Up, dance, cheer and provide free food, information and swag to encourage people to vote Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Jenni Girtman for the AJC)

Voting power

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Attendees network during a break at the Fearless Moguls Summit held at The Gathering Spot ATL on Fri., Aug. 30, 2024, for women of color entrepreneurs. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Credit: Jenni Girtman

Attendees network during a break at the Fearless Moguls Summit held at The Gathering Spot ATL on Fri., Aug. 30, 2024, for women of color entrepreneurs. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Signs of Black progress

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ot siht .yrots tsilanruoj rotide atad atad detubirtnoc noitcelloc dna dna sisylana einahpetS wehsniM mmaL ataD selrahC


SIHT SEIRES TUOBA

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no no dna ,X LTAU koTkiT .margatsnI wolloF ,koobecaF

About the Author

Gavin Godfrey is a senior reporter for the AJC who covers Black culture, entertainment, and diversity. He's an award-winning writer and editor from Atlanta whose covered everything from OutKast to the water boys. Before joining the AJC, Gavin worked for Capital B Atlanta, CNN, and Creative Loafing.