PERRY, Ga. — Perry is becoming a hub for telecommuters, as people seeking a small-town atmosphere and lower cost of living are moving to the area.
A recent survey conducted by the city of Perry suggested people are choosing to live in the city while working for companies located across the country and around the world.
The survey - which gathered information from 168 remote workers - found that telecommuters in Perry are employed in industries such as military and defense, healthcare, technology and sales. Additionally, 46% of respondents expressed interest in co-working spaces, while 51% indicated a need for more resources to support remote work.
Perry’s Economic Development Director, Holly Wharton, said the trend is reshaping the community.
“People are choosing to live in Perry even though they are working for companies all over the country and all over the world,” Wharton said. “I really don’t see it changing much, especially as the workforce changes.”
The survey also showed that 72% of respondents were women, and most were between the ages of 25 and 44. A majority of respondents, 121, held a bachelor’s degree or higher, and 100 reported a household income of $100,000 or more per year.
Wharton noted that these higher-income households are contributing to the local economy.
“Those families are able to come spend those dollars in our local economy,” she said. “Additionally, we have been building between 350 and 500 single-family homes to sustain the population growth.”
Dylan Hogan, who moved to Perry from Dublin, works in talent acquisition for an Atlanta-based tech firm. He said he enjoys the convenience of working from home and the benefits of living in Perry.
“I feel like more of my time that’s not work is more of my own,” Hogan said. “I don’t use it commuting. I have more time to spend with my family now than I did before.”
Hogan also appreciates Perry’s offerings for his family.
“This area has it all for us. We have access to a lot of great restaurants, a lot of great opportunities for our son, including great schools,” he said. “We feel like we get a lot of the benefit of a larger city without having all of the hassle of it.”
Warner Robins is considering conducting a similar survey to understand its own telecommuting population.
As telecommuting continues to grow in Perry, the city is exploring ways to support remote workers, including improving internet infrastructure. The survey showed internet satisfaction among respondents averaged 3.72 out of 5, indicating some room for improvement.