tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13520324.post5323788152078302447..comments2024-03-21T13:15:26.838-04:00Comments on The Rural Blog: Rural towns losing populations must learn to 'shrink smart'Melissa Patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01558431327921705882noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13520324.post-17892630119933298242018-06-26T13:24:19.037-04:002018-06-26T13:24:19.037-04:00It's interesting that while the population goe...It's interesting that while the population goes down in Sac City, the number of occupied housing units has gone UP. The population decline is more a function of 1) high school graduates leaving who are not homeowners and 2) smaller household size. We'll continue to see some decline as senior spouses pass away (e.g. population goes down but the housing units remain occupied). This infatuation with total population numbers needs to stop.<br /><br />Sac City in 2010: Population: 2,220 Housing Units: 1,018<br />Sac City in 2016: Population: 2,185 Housing Units: 1,158<br /><br />Once the senior cohort moves on there will be more room for newcomers, thus it is imperative we think about moving IN, moving OUT, and moving OVER with regards to community and economic development efforts. Today, about 30% of rural homeowners are over the age of 70!<br /><br />BWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02047316077685892907noreply@blogger.com