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20 <br /> In addition to those domains, several cross cutting issues were addressed throughout the MAP <br /> process. Those included racial equity and the diversity of the older adult population; urban/rural <br /> differences; on-going concerns related to the global pandemic, including social isolation; and <br /> desire of the older adults in the community to be included in all solutions. <br /> The goals, objectives, strategies and indicators represent 940 community survey respondents, <br /> and the work of over 150 persons, including Orange County residents, County and town <br /> leadership, healthcare systems, faith-based and non-profit services groups and older adult <br /> advocates. <br /> All of these stakeholders were involved at different times during the MAP's development, <br /> beginning in summer 2021 with a community needs assessment survey, followed by nine (9) <br /> community engagement events and seven (7) work groups that met over a ten week period, <br /> and ending in spring 2022 with a period of public comment. <br /> This MAP comes at a particularly crucial point in the history of Orange County. In 2020, 21% of <br /> the population was age 60+, and by 2040 it will be 26%. This represents a 47.8% change in just <br /> 20 years, whereas children aged 0-17 years were 17% of the population in 2020, and in 2040 <br /> will decline to 15% of the population, representing a 4.5% change. <br /> From 2010-18 Orange County's population grew by 12,325 residents, while its 65+ age group <br /> grew by 7,575 residents. This means that 61.5% of Orange County's growth was from the <br /> population 65+. Among peer counties, Orange County is second only to Chatham County <br /> (64.5%) in the share of county growth driven by its 65+ age group. The share of growth in this <br /> age group is substantially higher than the state (53.7%). The continued rise in the 60+ <br /> population reflects the crucial importance of why this MAP is needed to plan for programs and <br /> services that will serve Orange County's diverse older adult population. <br /> The success of the MAP depends on continued collaboration and community involvement over <br /> the next five years. Through working together, the goal is to build capacity to support the aging <br /> population and make Orange County a great place to age well. <br /> In addition to guiding the County, this planning process has been shared with other <br /> communities as a model for creating an aging plan for their communities. <br /> Colin Austin, Vice-Chair of the Advisory Board on Aging, said he is proud of this work <br /> and it is recognized as a national model. <br />