Population Demographics of the Community
An area defines a geographic community that unites people by location. My chosen geographic community is Atlanta, Georgia, one of the state’s largest cities. It currently has a population of nearly half a million, racially dominated by African Americans and white non-Hispanic people (Mercy Care, 2019). A pronounced territorial racial divide exists due to class differentiation (Quick Facts, 2021). The distribution between males and females is equal; denominations include Protestant Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Atlanta has excellent opportunities, resources, and strengths that partially offset the challenges.
The Resources Available in the Community
Atlanta has a high gross domestic product due to the prevalence of significant corporations. Among the city’s many economic resources is its logistics, as it serves as a central railroad hub. Although the 2008 recession affected the city, the real estate and information technology (IT) markets are experiencing growth, providing people with employment opportunities (McMurray, 2021). Atlanta has arts and cultural resources (theater, art galleries, opera, and contemporary music). Atlanta is also saturated with city parks, green spaces, and athletic fields.
The Needs of the Community
Atlanta faces several problems that shape the city’s needs. For example, the high crime rate, experienced by an average of one in three, is forcing Atlanta to find new ways to manage crime and find new ways to make police work easier (Atlanta Regional Commission, 2021). Additionally, the high cost of housing is forcing people to forgo other vital aspects of life (Mercy Care, 2019; Quick Facts, 2021). Atlanta needs to establish a new policy to provide housing for its community.
The Strengths of the Community
Atlanta’s strengths as a community are the availability of high-quality, qualified higher education. Additionally, Atlanta has a high employment rate, partly due to the availability of adult education (Quick Facts, 2021). Atlanta boasts a diverse mix of cultures, which attracts more tourists to the city. For example, many restaurants and bars, such as the one shown in Figure 1, offer unique cuisine and entertainment.
Atlanta is a vital hub in healthcare, offering participation in programs promoting mental and physical health (Mercy Care, 2021). Atlanta has a rapid growth rate thanks to the accumulation of resources and technological development.
The LGBT community is vital because it provides a supportive environment for individuals to express their true selves and advocate for equal rights and recognition. It has a long history of resilience and activism, and its members continue to fight for acceptance and equality. Figure 2 reflects an excellent example of the struggle.
References
Atlanta Regional Commission. (2021). 2021 Metro Atlanta speaks – full report. Kennesaw State University.
McMurray, S. (2021). Georgia earns no. 1 tech hub ranking from business facilities magazine. Georgia.
Mercy Care. (2019). Community health needs assessment. Mercy Care.
Quick Facts: Atlanta city, Georgia. (2021). United Stated Census Bureau.