4 in 10 Georgians face hard times paying everyday bills
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Georgians — and especially metro Atlantans — are having a hard time paying for everyday expenses compared to people elsewhere, according to the latest census data.
Why it matters: Consumers nationwide have been dealing with rising prices — but those in some areas are having a harder time making ends meet than others.
State of play: About 37% of American adults are in households that found it somewhat or very difficult to pay for typical expenses between late June and late July, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey.
- That's an online survey meant to collect key socioeconomic data in near real time.
Zoom in: Statewide, 41.7% of Georgia adults reported difficulties paying everyday expenses, the data shows. That's the eighth-highest percentage in the country.
- Yes, and: Among major U.S. metro regions, Atlanta ranked third in the nation, with roughly 42.7% reporting difficulty paying for household expenses during that time period.
Stunning stat: 57.4% of Clayton County residents said would not be able to pay for an emergency without borrowing money, selling something, or not paying at all, according to the Atlanta Regional Commission's 2023 resident survey.
The big picture: Southerners are hurting the most, according to the Census Bureau's survey. Of the states with the highest percentage of adults who say they're having trouble affording their basic needs, most are in the South, with Mississippi (49.5%), Alabama (45.5%) and West Virginia (43.5%) topping the list.
- Washington, D.C. (19.3%); Vermont (26.4%); and Minnesota (27.4%) have the fewest residents reporting such difficulties.
The bottom line: Economic pain is everywhere — but it's not evenly distributed.