Image generated by DALL-E from OpenAI
Several Cobb County departments participated in a set of cybersecurity exercises organized by the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI).
The UASI is a Homeland Security grant program managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The FEMA website states, “This program provides funding to enhance regional preparedness and capabilities in designated high-threat, high-density areas.”
Members of Cobb County Government Information Technology Services, Emergency Management Agency, and 911 Emergency Communications, along with counterparts from the City of Atlanta and Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties, took part in the training to simulate cyber threats and practice responding to them.
“Cobb County’s involvement in this tabletop exercise underscores our commitment to maintaining robust cybersecurity measures and staying vigilant against potential threats,” said Kimberly Lemley, Cobb County’s Chief Information Officer. “The experience and connections gained from this exercise are instrumental in enhancing our incident response strategies and protecting our county’s infrastructure and data.”
“We are fortunate to have this partnership with UASI and to participate in these collaborative events with our neighboring agencies, which promote cross-organizational collaboration and preparedness,” she said.
About Cobb County
Cobb County is Georgia’s third most populous county, smaller only than Fulton and Gwinnett counties.
Early History
The county was established in 1832, is named after Thomas Willis Cobb, a U.S. Congressman, Senator, and Supreme Court judge. Cobb was formed from a portion of Cherokee County.
Marietta, the county seat, was incorporated in 1834, becoming a vital center for trade and governance.
Government Structure
The governance of Cobb County is anchored by the Board of Commissioners, consisting of a Chairman and four Commissioners. Each member is elected—the Chairwoman at large and the Commissioners from their respective districts. This body holds the dual role of enacting county policies and overseeing the administration of county services. The Chairwoman also has specific duties, such as presiding over board meetings and acting as the official county spokesperson.
Key Departments and Services
Cobb County’s government is organized into departments focusing on different aspects of community life. These include Public Safety, which encompasses police and fire services; Transportation, tasked with maintaining and improving roadways and public transit; Community Development, which handles zoning and land use; and Parks and Recreation, which manages public parks and community centers. Each department aims to fulfill its responsibilities efficiently, though effectiveness can vary based on funding, policy decisions, and community needs.
The current board is:
| Chairwoman | Lisa Cupid |
| District 1 Commissioner | Keli Gambrill |
| District 2 Commissioner | Jerica Richardson |
| District 3 Commissioner | JoAnn Birrell |
| District 4 Commissioner | Monique Sheffield |
The U.S. Census Bureau gives the following quick facts about the county:
| PeoplePopulation | |
| Population Estimates, July 1 2021, (V2021) | 766,802 |
| Population estimates base, April 1, 2020, (V2021) | 766,149 |
| Population, percent change – April 1, 2020 (estimates base) to July 1, 2021, (V2021) | 0.1% |
| Population, Census, April 1, 2020 | 766149 |
| Population, Census, April 1, 2010 | 688078 |
| Age and Sex | |
| Persons under 5 years, percent | 5.6% |
| Persons under 18 years, percent | 22.7% |
| Persons 65 years and over, percent | 13.3% |
| Female persons, percent | 51.3% |
| Race and Hispanic Origin | |
| White alone, percent | 61.7% |
| Black or African American alone, percent(a) | 29.2% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a) | 0.5% |
| Asian alone, percent(a) | 5.7% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a) | 0.1% |
| Two or More Races, percent | 2.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino, percent(b) | 13.7% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent | 50.2% |
| Population Characteristics | |
| Veterans, 2016-2020 | 40562 |
| Foreign born persons, percent, 2016-2020 | 15.6% |
| Housing | |
| Housing units, July 1, 2021, (V2021) | 311450 |
| Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2016-2020 | 65.8% |
| Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2016-2020 | $273,900 |
| Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2016-2020 | $1,672 |
| Median selected monthly owner costs -without a mortgage, 2016-2020 | $474 |
| Median gross rent, 2016-2020 | $1,264 |
| Building permits, 2021 | 3247 |
| Families & Living Arrangements | |
| Households, 2016-2020 | 283359 |
| Persons per household, 2016-2020 | 2.63 |
| Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 2016-2020 | 84.6% |
| Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2016-2020 | 20.5% |
| Computer and Internet Use | |
| Households with a computer, percent, 2016-2020 | 97.2% |
| Households with a broadband Internet subscription, percent, 2016-2020 | 93.3% |
| Education | |
| High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2016-2020 | 92.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2016-2020 | 48.4% |
| Health | |
| With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2016-2020 | 6.2% |
| Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent | 13.8% |
| Economy | |
| In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2016-2020 | 69.6% |
| In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2016-2020 | 64.3% |
| Total accommodation and food services sales, 2017 ($1,000)(c) | 2056579 |
| Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000)(c) | 5569500 |
| Total transportation and warehousing receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000)(c) | 1536858 |
| Total retail sales, 2017 ($1,000)(c) | 18543691 |
| Total retail sales per capita, 2017(c) | $24,615 |
| Transportation | |
| Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2016-2020 | 31.2 |
| Income & Poverty | |
| Median household income (in 2020 dollars), 2016-2020 | $80,830 |
| Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2020 dollars), 2016-2020 | $41,480 |
| Persons in poverty, percent | 9.2% |
| BusinessesBusinesses | |
| Total employer establishments, 2020 | 21492 |
| Total employment, 2020 | 358927 |
| Total annual payroll, 2020 ($1,000) | 21780372 |
| Total employment, percent change, 2019-2020 | -0.3% |
| Total nonemployer establishments, 2019 | 86497 |
| All employer firms, Reference year 2017 | 17066 |
| Men-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017 | 10386 |
| Women-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017 | 3537 |
| Minority-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017 | 3058 |
| Nonminority-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017 | 12177 |
| Veteran-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017 | 1204 |
| Nonveteran-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017 | 13909 |
| GeographyGeography | |
| Population per square mile, 2020 | 2254.8 |
| Population per square mile, 2010 | 2026.4 |
| Land area in square miles, 2020 | 339.78 |
| Land area in square miles, 2010 | 339.55 |