Agenda - 05-22-1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The median age of the population during the 1960-1970 period was in the 20-24 age group. By 1980, the median age of the County was 25.7. This trend is expected to continue due to continued In-migration of individuals in these age groups during the plan period. TABLE 2-10 PbMtiQU and Patterns of Settlement The distribution of population of Orange County and the resulting settlement patterns reflect the dominant influence of the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and a recent trend toward rural in-migration as opposed to the historical pattern of out-migration. The typical rural settlement pattern is changing as significant new non-farm development replaces a decreasing farm population at an increasing rate of farmland conversion. Large lot subdivision within easy commuting distance of incorporated centers and suburban expansion around the incorporated areas reflect this pattern of settlement decentralization. North Carolina is not characterized by large urban centers, but by a number of moderate-sized urban areas dsiributed across the landscape. The rural counterpart to this pattern in Orange County is the dispersed pattern of small population communities. These clusters of residential and non-farm development are generally referred to as neighborhoods and communities. These social units were of greater importance in the past when such individual areas were more isolated and people generally more self-sufficient. They are significantly less important now due to the influence of the automobile, improved transportation networks and the resulting expansion of social spheres. A neighborhood is defined as a small group of +/- families who live in close proximity to each other, who personally know one another and to some extent visit amount themselves, who recognize a common name for their immediate locality and who are accustomed to working together as a local unit. Their homes are usually centered around a church, store filling station or school. A community may be defined as a group of neighborhoods which have a natural tendency to associate together because of common interests. ,They tend to be more arbitrarily delineated than neighborhoods as community members may choose to meet together at different locations even if from the same neighborhood. The community usually possesses one center, however, to which most of its people go fairly often. This rural-urban balance is apparently preferred and maintained by many newcomers to the County. Patterns of employment and residential location support this rural-suburban environment. Research Triangle Park serves as the primary rural focus to this 5