Top 5 Industries in Georgia: Which Parts of the Economy Are Strongest?

Georgia has a diverse spread of industries that foster economic growth in the state and create jobs for residents.

From its beaches to its film industry, these are the Top 5 industries in Georgia.

VOTE NOW: Is Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal Doing a Good Job?

1. Agriculture
Many U.S. residents wouldn’t have fruit, meat, and nuts if it wasn’t for Georgia’s agriculture. The state is known as the No. 1 pecan producer in the world, and is among the leading producers of blueberries, peaches, peanuts, and poultry products. Agribusiness accounts for $72 billion annually of the state’s economy, with one in seven Georgians working in agriculture, forestry, or a related field, according to the Georgia Farm Bureau.

2. Film
"Forrest Gump," "Glory," and "Sweet Home Alabama" are just some of the hit films that were made in Georgia. The state has the fourth largest entertainment industry in the nation with more than 800 film and television projects, 30,000-plus workers, and an economic impact of close to $5.1 billion in 2014 alone.

3. Energy
Georgia leads the nation in net electricity due to lumber and pulpwood production by 27 percent, renewable energy by 6 percent, coal by 33 percent, and natural gas by 34 percent, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. This energy improved the state’s economy by $35 billion in 2013 and created more than 26,000 jobs. Georgia is also ranked 15th in the country for installation of solar energy generators.

VOTE NOW: Should the Government Be Doing More to Promote Tourism in America?

4. Automotive
With more than 250 facilities employing more than 18,000 workers, the automotive industry is booming in Georgia. Kia Motors chose the state for its first U.S. manufacturing facility, and more than 20 percent of the East Coast’s automotive exports leave through Georgia’s ports, averaging $9.5 billion a year.

5. Tourism
At a worth of $53.6 billion, tourism is one of Georgia’s most popular industries. About 14 million people visit each year in popular destinations such as Jekyll Island, the Georgia Aquarium, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, and the World of Coca-Cola. The tourism industry also supports more than 411,000 jobs.

URGENT: Do You Approve of the Job Nathan Deal Is Doing as Georgia Governor?

Related Stories:

• Georgia History: 8 Events That Shaped the State
  
• Savannah Travel Tips: 7 Places for Foodies to Visit