Agenda 10-19-2021; 12-2 - Information Item - Memorandum - Report on 2020 Census Results in Orange County

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2 addition to Census data, information from the American Community Survey, which includes five-year estimates, was also added. The website has proven to be a helpful approach to conveying key demographic information to the public. Following is the link to the Planning Department's Census webpage: http://www.co.orange.nc.us/1467/Population-Demographics-Population-Proje The Planning Department also uses Census data to estimate population projections in Orange County. Attachment 1 includes population estimates through the year 2060 using a linear projection methodology. While there are a variety of projection methodologies, the linear methodology is widely used, relatively simple, and has historically been reasonably accurate at projecting Orange County's population when compared to actual, later-released Census data. For comparison, using 2010 Census data and the linear methodology, Orange County's population was estimated to be 153,777 in the year 2020 compared to the actual 2020 Census total of 148,696, a difference of 5,081 persons. Historical County projections using 2000 and 2010 Census data are also provided on the aforementioned website. Big picture The 2020 Census shows the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2020, was 331,449,281. The resident population increased by 22,703,743 or 7.4% from 308,745,538 in 2010. Between 2010 and 2020, North Carolina's population grew by 903,905 individuals, an increase of 9.5%, faster than the national growth rate. North Carolina had the sixth largest increase among the states and was the 15th fastest-growing state. Orange County grew from 133,801 to 148,696 for an increase of 11.1%. As indicated in Attachment 1, all of Orange County's incorporated areas grew in population between 2010 and 2020. Incorporated areas include the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough, as well the part of the City of Mebane that is within Orange County. Unincorporated Orange County grew from 51,942 to 55,516 for an increase of 6.9% during the same period. Response rates North Carolina's self-response rate was 63.9%, which was less than in 2010 (64.8%) and trailed the national average of 67.0%. For the first time, the Census allowed households to respond via the Internet. The number of people who responded on the Internet was 49.6% in N.C. and 53.5% in the nation. Orange County ranked third in the state in self-response rates at 72.8%, trailing only Union County (74.7) and Wake County (73.1). In Orange County, 66.8% of households responded via the Internet. Where are the kids? North Carolina's child population grew by 2,654, an increase of 0.1%, while the adult population grew by 901,251, an increase of 12.4°/x. Nationally, the child population shrank by 1.1 million (-1.4%) and the adult population grew by 23.8 million (+10.1%).