Learn the nuts and bolts of Kennesaw government at Kennesaw 101: Citizens Government Academy

TOPICS:
Brick Kennesaw government building with four tall wooden columns

Posted By: Larry Felton Johnson July 30, 2023

The Kennesaw city manager’s office is preparing to host a new group of Kennesaw 101: Citizens Government Academy students, providing an opportunity for City of Kennesaw residents  to gain a comprehensive understanding of their municipality’s everyday operations. 

The 8-week course will start on September 14, 2023.

Kennesaw 101 is an initiative designed to give in-depth knowledge about how the city works – from daily operations, collaborations and partnerships, to short-term and long-range planning. The program is an effort to nourish well-informed citizens who can contribute meaningfully to the city’s future.

The course is open to anyone above 18 years old who resides or works within Kennesaw’s city limits. 

The class will take place every Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the City Hall, located at 2529 J.O. Stephenson Avenue Kennesaw, GA 30144. 

Throughout the course, students will gain insights from a variety of different departments, spotlighting the diverse efforts undertaken by city officials. Various hands-on activities will complement the lectures, and students will also have the opportunity to network and receive updates from the city staff directly. 

The course will draw to a close on a ceremonial note during the Mayor and Council meeting on November 6, where students will be graduated. 

Registration is limited to the first 15 applicants, with a deadline of September 1, 2023. 

There is no cost. The only thing  required from students are their time, dedication, and sincerity. 

Interested individuals can register by downloading the application from the ‘latest updates’ section of the city’s official website, https://www.kennesaw-ga.gov, or by contacting James Friedrich at (770) 424-8274 ext. 3110 or jfriedrich@kennesaw-ga.gov. 

About the City of Kennesaw

The City of Kennesaw was incorporated in 1887. With a population of 33,036 according to the recent decennial census, Kennesaw is the fourth-largest city in Cobb County, behind Mableton, Marietta and Smyrna. The US Census Bureau provides the following quick facts about the city:

Population Estimates, July 1 2022, (V2022)NA
Population Estimates, July 1 2021, (V2021)33,049
Population
Population Estimates, July 1 2022, (V2022)NA
Population Estimates, July 1 2021, (V2021)33,049
Population estimates base, April 1, 2020, (V2022)NA
Population estimates base, April 1, 2020, (V2021)33,001
Population, percent change – April 1, 2020 (estimates base) to July 1, 2022, (V2022)NA
Population, percent change – April 1, 2020 (estimates base) to July 1, 2021, (V2021)0.1%
Population, Census, April 1, 202033,036
Population, Census, April 1, 201029,783
Age and Sex
Persons under 5 years, percent6.0%
Persons under 18 years, percent22.3%
Persons 65 years and over, percent11.8%
Female persons, percent52.3%
Race and Hispanic Origin
White alone, percent64.0%
Black or African American alone, percent(a)20.5%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a)0.0%
Asian alone, percent(a)5.7%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a)0.0%
Two or More Races, percent6.7%
Hispanic or Latino, percent(b)14.9%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent55.7%
Population Characteristics
Veterans, 2017-20212,071
Foreign born persons, percent, 2017-202114.9%
Housing
Housing units, July 1, 2021, (V2021)X
Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2017-202168.8%
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2017-2021$225,500
Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2017-2021$1,600
Median selected monthly owner costs -without a mortgage, 2017-2021$434
Median gross rent, 2017-2021$1,470
Building permits, 2021X
Families & Living Arrangements
Households, 2017-202112,799
Persons per household, 2017-20212.57
Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 2017-202182.9%
Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2017-202121.8%
Computer and Internet Use
Households with a computer, percent, 2017-202197.1%
Households with a broadband Internet subscription, percent, 2017-202195.8%
Education
High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2017-202193.5%
Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2017-202144.7%
Health
With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2017-20215.9%
Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent14.2%
Economy
In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2017-202170.6%
In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2017-202167.4%
Total accommodation and food services sales, 2017 ($1,000)(c)188,701
Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000)(c)142,150
Total transportation and warehousing receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000)(c)99,548
Total retail sales, 2017 ($1,000)(c)1,186,810
Total retail sales per capita, 2017(c)$34,676
Transportation
Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2017-202131.5
Income & Poverty
Median household income (in 2021 dollars), 2017-2021$73,977
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2021 dollars), 2017-2021$37,608
Persons in poverty, percent13.5%
Businesses
Total employer establishments, 2020X
Total employment, 2020X
Total annual payroll, 2020 ($1,000)X
Total employment, percent change, 2019-2020X
Total nonemployer establishments, 2019X
All employer firms, Reference year 20171,282
Men-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017665
Women-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017296
Minority-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017S
Nonminority-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017757
Veteran-owned employer firms, Reference year 201754
Nonveteran-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017972
Geography
Population per square mile, 20203,400.2
Population per square mile, 20103,155.1
Land area in square miles, 20209.72
Land area in square miles, 20109.44
FIPS Code1343192

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