Dr. Heidi Ewen, speaking with Denis O'Hayer on “Morning Edition”

For years, we have heard that Atlanta is one of the nation’s top destinations for young professionals, who are transforming the planning done by political and economic leaders.

But now, the business publication Forbes published a list that ranks Atlanta as the American city with the fastest aging population, according to data from the 2014 American Community Survey. The article states that Atlanta’s senior population, those 65 and older, grew by 20 percent from 2010 to 2014.

That’s not the same as having the highest current percentage of older residents, but it is a wake-up call, according to Dr. Heidi Ewen, who studies demography and aging and is an assistant professor at the University of Georgia’s College of Family and Consumer Services, and also the College of Public Health. Ewen spoke with Denis O’Hayer on Morning Edition about the findings of the list.