New Data Shows “Rowen Region” Poised to Drive Georgia’s Economic Future

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (April 15, 2025) – A newly released economic analysis highlights the 11-county region surrounding Rowen, Georgia’s largest innovation community, as the state’s powerhouse for talent, workforce development and economic growth. Conducted by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, The Rowen Region: Georgia’s Nexus for Economic Growth, presents compelling data to support the Region’s position as an engine for innovation across the state’s key industries for decades to come.
“The Rowen Region is already a vibrant hub of knowledge, talent and opportunity,” said Rowen President and CEO Mason Ailstock. “With help from the Carl Vinson Institute, we’ve found clear evidence that the region’s population growth, workforce pipeline and educational institutions will take the area to the next level as a global research, innovation and investment destination.”

Key findings include:

Population Boom:

• By 2050, the population within the Rowen Region is projected to grow by over 1 million people, representing 43% of Georgia’s total population growth in that period.

Workforce Growth and Stability:

• Nearly half of Georgia’s projected prime working-age (25-64) population growth between 2023 and 2028 will occur within the Rowen Region, significantly increasing the talent pool for Georgia’s businesses and industries.
• Not only is the talent within the region growing, but it is also multicultural: more than 50% of all degrees in the region are completed by students of color.
• Data suggests that depending on their age, 85-95% of people who move to the Rowen Region remain in the region year after year.

Higher Education Powerhouse:

• Degree completions at institutions within the Rowen Region have increased by more than 5,000 graduates over the past five years, with significant growth in STEM, business and healthcare fields.
• The region’s labor force is highly educated, with nearly 70% of the population having some post-secondary education.

Industry Leadership:

• Industries such as healthcare, technology and engineering are among the largest and fastest-growing employment sectors in the region.

The Rowen Region encompasses Banks, Barrow, Clarke, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Oconee and Walton counties, a dynamic area driving Georgia’s economic and workforce expansion. At the heart of this region is Rowen – a 2,000-acre knowledge community in Gwinnett County – that serves as a catalyst for research, collaboration and industry growth in the fields of agriculture, medicine and the environment.

For more information about Rowen and to access the full Rowen Region Report, visit https://rowenlife.com/the-rowen-region/.