By MONROE ROARK
Staff Writer

Peachtree City is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state of Georgia during the 1990s, according to statistics released this week by the U.S. Census Bureau.

From 19,027 in the 1990 census, Peachtree City has shot up to 31,086 in 1998 census estimates, a 63.4 percent leap that is sixth-highest in the state among cities with a population of 10,000 or more.

Alpharetta has had the most explosive growth in the 1990s, nearly doubling from 13,002 to 24,831, a jump of 91 percent. Kingsland has grown 90 percent to 11,584 during that time.

Duluth is third at 80.5 percent, followed by Kennesaw and St. Marys.

Peachtree City is trailed by Powder Springs, Douglasville, Snellville and Hinesville, near Savannah.

The northern side of metro Atlanta is well represented on this list. Alpharetta is in north Fulton County, while Gwinnett County is home to Duluth and Snellville. Kennesaw and Powder Springs are in Cobb County.

Kingland and St. Marys are both located in Camden County, in the southeastern corner of Georgia just north of Jacksonville. Camden County was the second fastest-growing in the United States during the early part of this decade, thanks mostly to the U.S. Navy's submarine base located there.

Hinesville is the home of Fort Stewart, a large U.S. Army installation. It is just west of Savannah and south of Statesboro.

Among the 15 most populated cities in Georgia (see chart), Peachtree City has had by far the highest percentage of growth.

Atlanta's population has increased 2.5 percent since 1990, while Savannah and Albany have actually seen a decrease in population.

Fayette County has seen a 40 percent jump to a July 1998 estimate of 88,609. While that is a sizable increase, it is eclipsed by neighboring Coweta, which has grown 55.9 percent to 85,028.

Georgia's 10 fastest-growing cities

(population over 10,000)

City 1998 pop. 1990 pop. pct. growth

1. Alpharetta 24,831 13,002 91.0

2. Kingsland 11,584 6,089 90.2

3. Duluth 17,722 9,821 80.5

4. Kennesaw 15,655 8,936 75.2

5. St. Marys 13,823 8,204 68.5

6. Peachtree City 31,086 19,027 63.4

7. Powder Springs 10,836 6,862 57.9

8. Douglasville 16,073 11,635 38.1

9. Snellville 15,703 12,084 29.9

10. Hinesville 26,435 21,596 22.4

Georgia's 15 largest cities

City 1998 est.

1. Atlanta 403,819

2. Augusta* 187,689

3. Columbus 182,219

4. Savannah 131,674

5. Macon 114,336

6. Athens* 89,631

7. Albany 77,545

8. Roswell 57,102

9. Marietta 51,362

10. W. Robins 46,698

11. Valdosta 41,390

12. Smyrna 35,899

13. East Point 33,670

14. PTC 31,086

15. Rome 30,899

*includes entire county