montgomery county today
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2.0
2.2
2.4
2.6
2.8
3.0
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
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Montgomery County
United States
PLANNING ISSUE
Future land use depends not only on population
growth. Smaller household sizes mean that more
land and housing units will be needed just to
accommodate the existing population before any
new people are added.
Average Household Size
Fewer families, an increase in single person households due
to aging, higher divorce rates, deferred marriage and
childbearing, and a lower birth rate have led to a gradual
decline in household sizes, although that decline has slowed
over the last two decades. There were 2.53 persons per
household in 2010, down only one one-hundredth of a
person from 2000. Not surprisingly, fewer large detached
homes are being constructed as denser housing types
account for a greater share of new residential development.
It is possible that household size might have diminished a bit
more over the last decade if not for the Great Recession prior
to 2010. High unemployment and lower incomes may have
encouraged more people to share residences and kept young
adults from moving out of their parents’ homes.
Age Characteristics
Montgomery County has been getting older overall. The
median age was 40.6 in 2010, up from 38.2 in 2000. The
oldest population (65 and over) increased by 8% between
2000 and 2010, but the most significant gains were in the
“baby boom” generation. The age cohorts between 45 and
65 years of age grew by over 30% in just ten years. The
county will face new challenges as this robust group moves
into the 65+ range over the next twenty years. They will
begin to exit the work force and likely assume lower taxable
incomes during retirement.
The number of residents between the ages of 25 and 44
declined since 2000, but there was modest growth in the
younger cohorts, especially ages 18 through 24. Young
residents born since 1980, represent the “baby boom echo”
but are more commonly identified as Millennials. They are
also the future of Montgomery County as they become a
more substantive part of the county population.
The population of children is expected to grow at a slower
rate than the overall population between now and 2040. As
they grow older and become young professionals, the
county should be prepared to retain many of them through
offering good jobs and a high quality of life.
FIGURE 12:
Average Household Size: 1960—2010
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
0-4 5-17 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+
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2000 2010
FIGURE 13:
Age Cohorts: 2000-2010
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
PLANNING ISSUE
The aging of the “baby boom”
population will put renewed
emphasis on issues concerning
senior citizens. At the same
time, the number of children is
expected to grow at a slower
rate than the overall population,
so it will also be important to
focus on the retention and
attraction of young people as
they become adults.
Average Household Size
Number of Residents
Children playing in the Butterfly Garden at
Harriet Wetherill Park in Plymouth Township.
