Posts tagged ‘2010 Census’

The results for the 2010 census are in, and the findings are intriguing. For Montgomery County, the big story is all about population and race.

Many of us expected that the County would become a majority–minority place, meaning that minorities make up over 50 percent of the population. While the Census reported that Montgomery County is 50.7% minority, those groups are traditionally undercounted, so the actual number is probably higher. We saw a decrease of 40,486 whites over the decade, while an increase of 139,151 persons of varying ethnicities more than compensated for the decline.

Since 1980, MoCo has outpaced the state, region and nation in the growth of the foreign born population – including people of all races and color. This county is a magnet for people coming from other countries, peaking at 31 percent of the population in 2009. Statewide, 27 percent of the more than 245,000 new Hispanic residents in Maryland settled in MoCo.

As populations across the country shift, they impact school enrollment, recreation programs, health services, retailing, transportation, housing stock and more.

While the county continued to grow at just over 1 percent per year, the bulk of the growth is a result of the increase in the ethnic population. Mapping the data by smaller areas called census tracts, we can see where folks are moving.

The map illustrates where the highest percentages of minorities have located in the county. Red areas depict the areas that are non-Hispanic white; blue and white areas show where fewer whites are living

Where Are People Moving in the County?

The highest growth has occurred in centers like Germantown, Clarksburg and Rockville. And these same areas have big gains in the minority population. Germantown had the biggest overall gain, with just under 20,000 new residents; half that growth was in the Hispanic population.

These are big changes that offer new opportunities as well as new challenges. Across the nation, the largest growth in family size is among the Hispanic community. Montgomery County has a lot of single-family houses and, with great schools, offers a lot to a young family . But can our younger families and singles afford to live here?

As populations across the country shift, they impact school enrollment, recreation programs, health services, retailing, transportation, housing stock and more.

We are anxious for the Census data on age to come out in June. Whether or not MoCo is attracting the Gen X and Y population is critical to the economic success of the county. This segment has specific needs for housing types, home ownership, proximity to work and activities, and retailing.

Business Growth

Retailing is already shifting in places like Takoma Langley, with wonderful shops offering new products to MoCo residents, such as cultural garb and food. I find the markets fascinating, displaying incredibly tasty food.

In fact, it is minorities who will create the most new businesses in America. Providing the opportunities for these new businesses to locate, establish and thrive should be our priority. Between 2002 and 2007, we saw considerable growth in new businesses by ethnic populations: Hispanic-owned businesses by 56 percent, Asian-owned businesses by 41 percent; and Black-owned business by 26 percent.

New small businesses face many challenges, but they are thriving in MoCo. Watch the clip below with Peyton Taylor who runs a window tinting business called Eastside Auto on New Hampshire Avenue. Peyton started in his garage and expanded to a shop behind a commercial strip where he is working seven days a week serving a large area.

Talking to business owners big and small around the county show that transportation remains a high priority and means shifting business patterns. We have posted a short interview with Jessica Rodriguez, owner of Cuba de Ayer restaurant in Burtonsville, who speaks of these challenges.

For Cuba de Ayer employees, the bus schedule is a big determinant on work schedules, as buses do not run during weekend hours when the restaurant is busiest. As a result, there are many part-time workers at the restaurant.

Housing Trends

We saw higher rates of foreclosures in the areas where the most homes were built and where the ethnicity of residents increased the most. These areas are also where housing prices tend to be the most affordable. It will be increasingly important to provide ways to reduce housing costs in these and other areas.

For example, transit helps to reduce household costs especially as gas prices creep higher. Extending public transportation to areas where people live and now have to travel long distances to work can help reduce housing costs.

Do the Population Changes Cost Us More?

When a condominium is built in White Flint or downtown Silver Spring, a lot more people live in the same space compared to residents of a single- family home. Existing sewers, water mains and other utilities are used and typically no new roads are built. When a new subdivision is built on vacant land, the contrary is typically true.

The property tax generated for a mid-rise, multi-unit condo is about $6.9 million compared to $1.33 million for single-family houses.

With only about four percent of the county left to build upon, can we accommodate the expected population on our 8,000 acres of surface parking lots? Three new condo buildings in White Flint required small infrastructure investment and only generated around 18 school children.

Single-family houses generate more school children than condo homes. Since we expect many existing single-family houses to cycle from older residents to younger families, we can expect our existing housing stock to cost more in education and infrastructure than the multi-unit buildings constructed in our urban areas and commercial corridors like White Flint.

MoCo is going to grow regardless of whether we build new houses. Our population growth occurs through birth rates, foreign migration and our proximity to Washington, D.C. jobs. Insert ‘reasons for growth’

Clearly, the places in America that attract new people are the places that will succeed in the rapid globalization of commerce, social patterns and information. As we plan for the future residents of the county, let’s keep in mind that regardless of our ethnic and cultural backgrounds, we all want the same things.