Connor Barwin's Civic Season

This week, the all-pro linebacker and citizen activist measures how our civic health stacks up against Atlanta

WEEK 1:

Philadelphia vs. Atlanta

Well, we lost a heartbreaker to Atlanta last night on the field, and, as you can see below, we lose to them in terms of our overall civic health, as well. In both football and civics, I like to look beyond the numbers. Today, the statistic that jumps out to me is that Atlanta beats us by a 2-to-1 ratio when it comes to the percentage of residents who have earned bachelor’s degrees—48 percent to 24 percent.

That’s a big difference. But, according to Professor Richardson Dilworth, director of Drexel’s Center for Public Policy, it’s not that surprising. After all, Atlanta stagnated like the rest of the South during Reconstruction and only became an important economic hub in the 20th Century. “Atlanta’s economy is newer and younger, and its major industries are thus more likely to be the kinds that require more college grads,” explains Dilworth. In addition, Dilworth notes that housing is much cheaper in Philadelphia on average, which attracts a lower wage population less likely to possess college degrees.

Next week, I’m psyched to take on Dallas—on the field, and off.

Results

Philadelphia

Eagles

vs

Atlanta

Falcons

% BA or higher

24.4

7 POINTS

Falcons

% BA or higher

48.2

% Below poverty

27.2

7 POINTS

Falcons

% Below poverty

25.4

% Bike to work

2.1

7 POINTS

Eagles

% Bike to work

0.9

% Moved to city in past year

4.6

7 POINTS

Falcons

% Moved to city in past year

10.7

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

11.0

7 POINTS

Eagles

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

12.2

% Volunteer

26.1

7 POINTS

Falcons

% Volunteer

26.6

% Voted in last mayoral election

19.57

7 POINTS

Falcons

% Voted in last mayoral election

20.0

Income Inequality Index

.51

7 POINTS

Eagles

Income Inequality Index

.59

Final Score

21

Atlanta

Falcons

Final Score

35

Sep. 14
21-35

Falcons

Falcons

Sep. 20
21-42

Cowboys

Cowboys

Sep. 27
28-35

Jets

Jets

Oct. 04
14-42

Redskins

Redskins

Oct. 11
21-42

Saints

Saints

Oct. 19
28-35

Giants

Giants

Oct. 25
21-35

Panthers

Panthers

Nov. 08
21-42

Cowboys

Cowboys

Nov. 15
56-0

Eagles

Dolphins

Nov. 22
35-28

Eagles

Buccaneers

Nov. 26
42-7

Eagles

Lions

Dec. 06
28-35

Patriots

Patriots

Dec. 13
42-21

Eagles

Bills

Oct. 19
35-28

Eagles

Cardinals

Dec. 26
14-42

Redskins

Redskins

Jan. 03
35-28

Eagles

Giants

Civic Record:

EAGLES

Wins

5

Losses

7

Upcoming Games:

Data compiled by Ken Gross, Quantitative Innovations.

All data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey 2011-2013 except: 

Voter turnout rates from Philadelphia’s 2011 general election; Atlanta’s 2013 general election.

More info on the GINI Index of Income Inequality.

* All team logos are property of the NFL and their respective franchises.

Header photo: Brian Garfinkel/Philadelphia Eagles

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