Atlanta forms economic mobility task force after ranking last in mobility study

The Atlanta Regional Commission launched a new task force to address economic inequality in metro Atlanta, responding to a 2024 Harvard study that ranked the region last among the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for economic mobility. The coalition includes civic groups and local governments, with the goal of coordinating a regional response to the disparity.

The 2024 Harvard Center on Education and the Labor Market study found that Atlanta has one of the largest wealth gaps between Black and white households in the nation. The average Black household in Atlanta holds $41,400 in wealth, compared with $191,400 for white households. In 2022, the average Black household in the Atlanta metro area had $27,000 in wealth, while white households held $57,000.

Housing costs are a primary driver of the gap. A 2024 report from the Atlanta Regional Commission found that housing costs consume a larger share of income for low- and middle-income households in Atlanta than in most other major metros. The report noted that the region has seen a significant increase in housing supply in recent years, but prices remain high relative to median income.

Anna Roach, executive director and CEO of the Atlanta Regional Commission, said the Harvard research served as a motivator for the new coalition. She described the task force as a way to bring together different sectors to tackle the problem. "It’s a hard truth," Roach said. "We need to be clear about what we are going to do."

The task force will focus on data collection, communication, and evaluation of new initiatives. It will work to create economic opportunities and address barriers to mobility. The group includes members from the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Greater Atlanta Chamber, and the Atlanta Federation of Labor.

Milton Harris, CEO of the Greater Atlanta Chamber, said the task force is a "good work" in progress. He emphasized the need for a coordinated approach. "We need to be more successful at this," Harris said. "We need to be a team."

The task force will report on its progress in 2025. The Atlanta Regional Commission will provide updates on the data collected and the initiatives implemented. The group aims to define the collective area and identify how mobility is being improved.