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The one significant early finding that can mentioned is that (if <br />the 1990 Census figures are accurate) the County has a <br />significantly lower persons per housing unit rate than in 1980. <br />The rate of persons per household has been declining across the <br />nation since the 1970's. In 1980, Orange County had 2.68 persons <br />per housing unit. This rate has been projected to converge downward <br />to 2.4 by the year 2000. There are a number of reasons for this; <br />the most prominent being increased single - parent households and the <br />young student -age population in this County. <br />In considering the preliminary 1990 data, it appears that this <br />convergence has occurred more quickly than anticipated. The new <br />figures show Orange County with 2.41 persons per unit in 1990. <br />In summary, the preliminary Census findings are within the range <br />expected by County staff - albeit the low end of that range. There <br />is reason to believe, however, that the final tally of persons for <br />Orange County will rise somewhat. <br />First, there are a number of housing units in Orange County that <br />are very difficult to locate from the ground. Many houses in Orange <br />County are well - hidden from roadways and isolated from other <br />development. it is very possible that some of these units (a few <br />per tract) have been overlooked. <br />Second, the Towns of Carrboro and Hillsborough have indicated that <br />they feel their municipal counts are low, and plan to review and /or <br />challenge these numbers. Any such revision upward in the towns <br />would also revise the County total upward. <br />Last, the Census Bureau itself admits that it has not completed the <br />counts. It is possible that the bureau will revise its own numbers. <br />County staff plans to take a thorough look at the data provided. <br />With your concurrence, I would like to report our findings to you <br />on Wednesday, September 12. Any challenge to these figures would <br />require the signature of Moses Carey as chairman of our elected <br />board, If necessary, the Commissioners could consider action on <br />this challenge at their September 18 meeting, allowing staff to <br />submit the challenge on the September 19 deadline. <br />Please contact me if you have questions or concerns with the above. <br />xc: Marvin Collins <br />