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Braselton tops US list for high-growth areas
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From staff reports

The town of Braselton has been named at the top of a list denoting the nine most notable high-growth areas in the U.S. for 2009.

Braselton ranked No. 1 in the “9 from 2009” list, which is compiled by Arkansas-based Gadberry Group, a demographic research and location-based services firm.

The firm based its annual listing upon Braselton’s dramatic change in population and the presence of emerging census blocks, such as neighborhoods with less than 10 households in 2000 and more than 100 households in 2009. The census blocks include all of Braselton and stretched into southern Hall, northwestern Barrow and western Jackson counties.

Since 2000, Braselton has added 7,541 households, bringing its total number to 13,929 households, according to a news release from the Gadberry Group. Additionally, growth in household income also has grown since 2000 from $68,102 to $113,664.

“The No. 1 spot went to Braselton, Ga., whose impressive household growth was only surpassed by its economic strength,” said Larry Martin, Gadberry Group spokesman. “Braselton topped the list with an average household income increase of 67 percent from 2000 to 2009.”

Gadberry Group began announcing notable high growth areas in 2007. In addition to its analysis of census blocks, the firm uses key demographic variables such as ethnicity, household income, net worth, economic stability, length of residence and age in its national calculations.

In all, the firm employed a statistical ranking system in its evaluations of 17,000 census blocks nationwide.

“What a tribute to be on the list as we’re the only community in Georgia which meets the criteria for inclusion,” Mayor Pat Graham said. “We’re ahead of the curve setting a tone for high-quality growth, award-winning infrastructure and essential services without levying a property tax.”

Eight of the nine communities cited by The Gadberry Group are categorized as suburban. The other recipients included Atascocita, Texas; Spring Hill, Tenn.; Lincoln, Calif.; Katy, Texas; Wake Forest, N.C.; Mansfield, Texas; Wylie, Texas; and Buckeye, Ariz.