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<br />Orange County Library Long-Range Facility Planning
<br />not been enlarged in over 20 years, despite the growth in population during the same
<br />period.
<br />Orange'County's current central library facility was opened in 1981; since that time the
<br />population exclusive of the Town of Chapel Hill has grown 59% from 45,017 to 71,429 in
<br />2000, with no expansion of the library. Even in 1981, the facility did not meet the standard
<br />for an adequately sized central library.
<br />Looking forward over the next 20 years, the total population of the county is projected to
<br />grow to approximately 170,000, with an estimated 65,400 of this population residing in the
<br />town of Chapel Hill. This will bring the service population of the Orange County Public
<br />Library system to more than 100,000.
<br />r'hart 3f2• Pnnnlafinn Prniections. 2000-2025 (Linear Analysis)
<br />Township/Municipality 2000 2010 2020 2025
<br />BINGHAM 6,181 7,295 8,408 92000
<br />CEDAR GROVE 4,930 5,812 6,694 7,150
<br />CHAPEL HILL 79,274 93,625 107,976 115,350
<br />Town of Carrboro 16,782 21,415 26,047 28,400
<br />Town of Chapel Hill 46,798 54,178 61,558 65,400
<br />Unincorporated 15,694 18,033 20,371 21,550
<br />CHEEKS 7,064 8,186 9,307 9,900
<br />ENO 6,092 6,913 7,734 8,150
<br />HILLSBOROUGH 11,639 13,159 14,679 15,450
<br />Town of Hillsborough 5,446 6,660 7,873 8,500
<br />Unincorporated 6,193 6,500 6,806 6,950
<br />LITTLE RIVER 3,047 3,824 4,601 5,000
<br />TOTAL COUNTY 118,227 138,814 159,399
<br />
<br />_? nn
<br />170,000
<br />nn _ -..Source: Orange County Planning Department (2025 figures extrapolated by consultant rrom cvav an, rwv YI oJccuUII0J
<br />
<br />Other demographic trends of particular note for Orange County library planning include the
<br />growth figures by age and the growth of the Hispanic population. The population of the
<br />county is aging, with the highest percentage growth figures occurring in the 45-59 age range
<br />(baby boomers). This population in 2000 represented 17.6% of the total population, up from
<br />11.9% in 1990. The juvenile population from 5-14 also is growing faster than the overall
<br />average, as is the population over 75.
<br />In 2000, the Hispanic population represented 4.5% of the total population, up from less than
<br />one percent in 1980. In 2000,12.3% of Carrboro's population was Hispanic. The "Shaping
<br />Orange County's Future" study projected that the Hispanic population will increase to 9% of
<br />the total population by 2030. The Asian population likewise is growing; in 2000, it
<br />represented 4.1% of the total population.
<br />o The residents of the county depend Iseavily on the Chapel Hill Public Library to
<br />supplement the resources of the Orange County Library for their library needs. The
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