People Per Square Mile - NC vs. TN (Columbia: taxes, to live)

[KewGee]

I have noticed that most all of the counties in TN that border NC have a higher population per square mile than the counties in NC that border TN. Does anyone know if the main reason for this is jobs or just retirement people moving to TN?

I'm definitely looking for the fewer number of people the better and surely don't want to end up 20 years later where the population has exploded.

For that part of my criteria, I believe NC fares better than TN.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

[mhogan10010]

You are assuming that this is a recent occurance? I would assume that it is related to Jobs mostly. Of course, as developers discover these high country areas, it won't take long for both Eastern TN and Western NC to fill up. In fact, If you talk to locals, they will probably tell you that it is too crowded already.
The only way to insure that you move to a place that maintains a low per square mile population is to move to an area where nobody wants to live.
I lived in Western NC back in the late 80s and early 90s and my mom still lives in Western Foothills of NC. What I am astonished by is the building that has taken place up in the high country, while it seems to have bypassed much of the foothills. Although, I am sure that is changing as more people flee from Fla.

[KewGee]

Originally Posted by mhogan10010

You are assuming that this is a recent occurance? I would assume that it is related to Jobs mostly. Of course, as developers discover these high country areas, it won't take long for both Eastern TN and Western NC to fill up. In fact, If you talk to locals, they will probably tell you that it is too crowded already.
The only way to insure that you move to a place that maintains a low per square mile population is to move to an area where nobody wants to live.
I lived in Western NC back in the late 80s and early 90s and my mom still lives in Western Foothills of NC. What I am astonished by is the building that has taken place up in the high country, while it seems to have bypassed much of the foothills. Although, I am sure that is changing as more people flee from Fla.

Actually the stats I found pertaining to geography are from 2000, so they're not even accurate today (www.quickfacts.census.gov) (broken link).

You are so right regarding people fleeing from FL and I want to flee from TX because it is way too hot.

I guess I'll just have to really research where no one wants to live to be somewhat assured the population won't explode. I plan on taking a trip up that way in June of 2007.

Thanks for your response.

[mm34b]

I believe Tyrrell County on the coast has the lowest population density of any county in NC. Around 11 people per square mile. All the NC counties with projected negative growth are in the Coastal Plain Region.

[mhogan10010]

Seems like there is a mass exodus from Florida (housing prices, rising taxes, crowding) New Jersey and Long Island (cold weather and high housing & taxes) to NC and now TN. I was going to suggest Utah or Montana, but I understand a lot of California people are moving there.
Try Nebraska or Iowa, North Dakota or UP of Michigan. Not much chance of a boom there.
Good luck.

[mhogan10010]

Originally Posted by mm34b

I believe Tyrrell County on the coast has the lowest population density of any county in NC. Around 11 people per square mile.

You can believe it. I had a friend who worked for the forrest service. He and his wife manned a fire tower there right outside of Columbia.
I once drove hwy 94 across Terrell county from South to North. Met only one car on about a 20 mile stretch of road.
I see more people on my way to work each morning than you would see in a month in Tyrrell co.

[Madjax]

North Carolina = 179 Persons/Sq Mile
Tennessee = 145 Persons/Sq Mile
..as of 2005 =)

[Madjax]

http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ThematicMapFramesetServlet?_bm=y&-_MapEvent=displayBy&-tm_name=PEP_2005_EST_M00090&-ds_name=PEP_2005_EST&-tm_config=|b=50|l=en|t=805|zf=0.0|ms=thm_def|dw=9. 82582564014103|dh=6.0641696344002955|dt=gov.census .aff.domain.map.EnglishMapExtent|if=gif|cx=-79.89162049999999|cy=35.209213|zl=8|pz=8|bo=|bl=|f t=350:349:335:389:388:332:331|fl=403:381:204:380:3 69:379:368|g=04000US37|ds=PEP_2005_EST|sb=85|tud=f alse|db=050|mn=10|mx=1513|cc=1|cm=1|cn=5|cb=|um=Pe rsons/Sq%20Mile|pr=0|th=PEP_2005_EST_M00090|sf=N|sg=&-redoLog=false&-geo_id=01000US&-_dBy=040&-_sse=on&-_lang=en#?410,294
...source

[KewGee]

Originally Posted by mm34b

I believe Tyrrell County on the coast has the lowest population density of any county in NC. Around 11 people per square mile. All the NC counties with projected negative growth are in the Coastal Plain Region.

Nope, no coast for me. Hurricanes aren't in my wants.

I just want to live somewhere in the mountains, preferably the Appalachians as someone once told me they're prettier than the Blue Ridge. I'll find out in June.

Thanks for your post.

[KewGee]

Originally Posted by mhogan10010

Seems like there is a mass exodus from Florida (housing prices, rising taxes, crowding) New Jersey and Long Island (cold weather and high housing & taxes) to NC and now TN. I was going to suggest Utah or Montana, but I understand a lot of California people are moving there.
Try Nebraska or Iowa, North Dakota or UP of Michigan. Not much chance of a boom there.
Good luck.

No, those states don't appeal to me. I guess Utah or Montana might be okay but I believe they would have too much snow for me.

ND and MI - no.

If it happens, it will be WV, VA, NC, or TN.

Thanks for your post.