Demographics
Demographics Key IndicatorsThe Demographics category will include (but is not limited to) the following areas:
Western North Carolina: Population Growth Rates PDF Print E-mail

Trends:

  • Western North Carolina has not grown as rapidly as North Carolina overall.
  • The population growth that has occurred in WNC is generally confined to those over age 64 and this growth is characterized not by a naturally-aging native population but by a tremendous influx of non-native retirees.
  • WNC has historically had a small percentage of African-American residents when compared to the state overall and this trend shows no signs of changing. Hispanics, however, have quintupled their presence in the area since 1990 and are on track to maintain increases in their representation over the next two decades.
  • We are fast approaching a “phase shift” in WNC where non-natives will outnumber natives – in some counties, by as much as a two-to-one margin.
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Definition: Population

Population provides an important contextual reference on sustainable development for decision makers looking at the interrelationships between people, resources, the environment and development. Population change is a significant signal as areas try to reduce poverty, achieve economic progress, improve environmental protection and move to more sustainable consumption and production. More stable levels of fertility can have a considerable positive impact on quality of life.

Source: United Nations

Definition: Growth Rates

The population growth rate measures how fast the size of the population is changing. Population growth rate is a crucial element affecting long-term sustainability. Population growth represents a fundamental indicator for decision-makers. Its significance must be analyzed in relation to other factors affecting sustainability. However, rapid population growth can place strain on an area’s capacity for handling a wide range of issues of economic, social and environmental significance, particularly when rapid population growth occurs in conjunction with poverty and lack of access to resources, or sustainable patterns of production and consumption, or in ecologically vulnerable areas.

Source: United Nations