Quantitative Data:

1. Economic Parameters:

   – Income Growth: Median household income grew from $68,000 in 2020 to $74,000 in 2023, indicating improved financial stability for residents.

   – Employment Rates: Unemployment decreased from 4.5% to 3.5%, reflecting a healthier job market.

   – Small Business Growth Rate: The small business growth rate increased from 1.5% in 2020 to 2.5% in 2023. This is a significant indicator of economic vitality, as small businesses are crucial drivers of local job creation and innovation. The steady growth rate shows that Gwinnett County has created an environment where entrepreneurship and small businesses can thrive, contributing to job opportunities and economic diversity.

2. Community Safety:

   – Crime Rate: The decline in the crime rate from 25 incidents per 1,000 residents in 2020 to 20 in 2023 is a positive trend, improving overall community safety.

3. Housing and Living Standards:

   – Home Value Increase: Home values increased by 45% over the four-year period, benefiting homeowners but potentially making housing less affordable for new buyers.

   – Housing Affordability: The Housing Affordability Index fell from 150 to 135, showing that while homeownership brings wealth to existing owners, the rising cost of homes might challenge new buyers.

4. Public Services and Infrastructure:

   – Public Transit Usage: Increased by 7%, indicating better transportation infrastructure.

   – High School Graduation Rate: Improved from 88% to 91%, reflecting positive trends in education.

   5. Health and Well-being:

   – Healthcare Access: The Healthcare Access Index improved from 70 to 76, showing better availability and quality of healthcare.

   – COVID-19 Impact: The community successfully reduced the impact of COVID-19, as seen in the dramatic decrease in the COVID-19 Impact Score from 85 to 30, signifying a strong pandemic response.

Qualitative Experiences:

1. Quality of Life and Environmental Factors:

   – Resident Satisfaction: The Resident Satisfaction Index rose from 70 to 80, suggesting that residents are happier with public services, community safety, and overall quality of life.

  – Environmental Quality: The Environmental Quality Index increased from 65 to 70, suggesting improvements in the county’s environmental efforts.

   – Community Safety: A 20% reduction in crime improves the sense of security for residents.

2. Community Engagement:

   – Civic Engagement and Business Opportunities: The growth in small businesses is not only an economic metric but also an indicator of increased community engagement and local support. More businesses lead to a stronger sense of local identity and more opportunities for residents to participate in the local economy.

3. Government Services:

   – Responsiveness: With improvements in public infrastructure, education, and public health, residents likely feel that their government is more responsive and effective at addressing their needs.

Conclusion:

Including the small business growth rate further strengthens the argument that Gwinnett County residents are better off than they were four years ago. The rise in small business growth indicates an entrepreneurial-friendly environment, creating more local jobs and contributing to the county’s economic diversity and resilience. This, combined with other positive economic and social indicators, confirms that Gwinnett County has made substantial progress in improving the well-being of its residents.