Agenda - 09-19-2007-6f1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Section V. Draft County Profile f Data) Element Orange County Comprehensive Plan B2 Population Highlights Population change is arguably the most fundamental factor affecting the pattern of development and provision of services throughout the County. Population refers both to the absolute number of persons, to their race /ethnicity, age groups, and physical distribution across the county. Changes in the county's age distribution may be the most influential demographic change facing the County. Orange County's median age has historically been younger, reflecting the influence of Chapel Hill's college population. However, recent trends have shown a gradual aging of the Orange County population and the United States population as a whole. Because population changes at a local and regional level will likely have ramifications countywide, this section contains municipal (cities and towns) and regional comparisons. Unless otherwise indicated, population tables for county -level data pertain to the entire county, including municipal areas and their extra - territorial jurisdictions (ETJ). Historic population values were obtained primarily from the US Census Bureau. In 2003, the US Census Bureau issued an amended 2000 Census count for the Town of Chapel Hill. The Town's population was amended from 48,175 to 46,019; likewise the County's population was amended from 118,227 to 115, 531. Most data tables will reflect the amended values and will be so noted. State - certified population estimates for the municipalities and counties for 2005 were provided by the NC Office of Budget, Planning, and Management, Demographics Section. It is important to note that the 2005 population estimates from the NC Office of Budget, Planning and Management (OBPM) are provided as the most recent estimates available for municipalities. However, use caution when making any comparisons between US Census Data (1980 1990 and 2000) and NC OBPM estimates (2005) For Orange County, it is si ificant that the NC OBPM does not project pppulations for unincorporated areas. Rather, unincorporated populations are yielded from the resulting balance after municipal and countywide population estimates are made The Orange Count Planning Department believes that the 2005 estimate provided for unincorporated Orange County (46,964 ) may be low and the data provided in Table Clc on Page C4 should be consulted for comparison See the Land Use Element (to be completed) for a summary of building permits issued in Orange County since the 2000 US Census. Historic and current demographic conditions in this section lay a foundation for further analysis, such as population projections covered in Section C. Maps depicting Orange County population distributions by age and North Carolina population growth by county can be found in Section D. 9/6/2007 B2.1