Issue link: http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/791946
CHAPTER 1:FOUNDATIONS Trends & Influences AGING AND DIVERSIFYING POPULATION As is the case in many communi es across the country, Cary's popula on is aging and diversifying. We see re ring baby boomers, professional workers choosing to wait longer to start a family or not have a family at all, an increasing number of single person households, and growth in racial and ethnic diversity. Cary has, over the years, developed a family-friendly reputa on based on a suburban community model. But na onal trends show that the demographic changes being experienced here and elsewhere are increasingly accompanied by changes in household preferences that impact housing, transporta on, and other lifestyle choices. This Community Plan offers an opportunity to iden fy ways that Cary can maintain its high quality suburban community experience, while also accommoda ng the lifestyle preferences of this changing popula on. The high quality of life enjoyed in Cary has propelled its growth up un l now. However, na onal, regional, and local trends suggest a changing context for the Town, and have spurred community conversa ons about the future of Cary. Early on in the Imagine Cary planning effort, several key trends and influences were iden fied that will likely impact Cary's future. 2000 2000 2010 More Seniors Cary residents over the age of 55 increased from 12% to 18% between 2000 and 2010. Smaller Households Cary's average household size and family size decreased between 2000 and 2010 Fewer Millenials The % of the Millennial aged population in Cary is lower than in NC and the US. More Singles Unmarried singles in Cary increased from 23.5% in 2000 to 28.2% in 2010 12% 18% 23.5% 28.2% 2010 2000 2010 10.9% Cary 13.7% NC 13.9% US LIMITED LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT Land available for new development in Cary's planning jurisdic on is limited by formal agreements with neighboring communi es. These agreements delineate the boundary within which Cary can provide u lity services in the future and ul mately the areas Cary can annex into the Town. Today, only 18% of land in the Town's planning jurisdic on is available for development. In the past, Cary has been a model for high quality new developments built on vacant or agricultural land. Now, with both limited land for development and the presence of aging commercial and residen al developments, the Town faces a changing paradigm where new projects will increasingly come in the form of infill development and redevelopment of exis ng proper es. With this shi comes the need to redefine development opportuni es and the regula ons and design standards that will shape evolving areas of Town, while con nuing to protect Cary's natural resources. Because only 18% of Cary's planning and zoning area is undeveloped, future development will come more and more in the form of infill development and redevelopment of exis ng developed sites. 23.5% 2.69 average household 2.61 average household Source: U.S. Census Bureau 18% 6