COMMUNITY
Porterdale grew up around a clothing mill in the early 20th century and is in position for development that could grow its population significantly by 2030. File Photo
Cities’ location, makeup apparent factors in how fast they develop By SARAH DAVIS and TOM SPIGOLON
C
news@covnews.com
ontinued growth in Newton’s industrial and retail sectors and Metro Atlanta’s economic growth in general is producing jobs that appear to be fueling the county’s population increase. Newton County’s population grew by about 2.6% in one year between 2020 and 2021 — after growing by more than 12% since 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Its largest city, Covington, grew by more than 8% between 2010 and 2020 and added more than 1,000 new residents The growth spurts of both the county and Covington appears to be affecting, in various ways,
42 VISIONS 2022: HERE WE GROW
the growth of the other cities in Newton County based on their location. PORTERDALE — The town that grew up around a clothing mill in the early 20th century is in position for development that could grow its population significantly by 2030. Porterdale’s population grew by a modest 3.8% in 10 years — from 1,429 in 2010 to 1,484 in 2020. However, the county’s growth appears to be spreading to Porterdale in the form of two major multi-use construction projects either underway or planned. They are designed in part to take advantage of the town’s relatively easy access to the I-20 commuter route to Atlanta and
Newton County’s still-developing industrial area in northeast Covington and near Social Circle. Porterdale Mayor Arline Chapman was among city officials and Covington developer Brad Mitchell to ceremonially break ground in March 2021 on the estimated $140 million Cedar Shoals project on a long, narrow 257-acre site stretching from Covington Bypass Road on the south to Georgia Hwy. 81 on the north. Plans call for 1,225 residential units, including 341 detached single-family homes, 164 townhomes and 720 apartments. City leaders also approved plans for a residential/retail development on the site of the now-closed Oaks golf course in THE COVINGTON NEWS
