NC population explosion (Greensboro, Dallas: homes, schools, live)

[havin fun]

Last night, on local NBC affiliate, it was announced that studies show that by 2030 NC population will increase by 50%. They likened it to the entire population of the state of South Carolina moving into NC. They also said that NC is NOT prepared to handle the influx. Schools, roads, entire infrastructure, cannot be prepared in time to meet future demands. Parts of NC are already experiencing MAJOR "growing pains".

[mm34b]

[cooperwx]

Can we possibly be prepared for that kind of growth? I wonder if any areas of the country have ever grown as fast as NC is projected to grow. San Francisco Gold rush? Homesteaders in the Plains?

I know Northern Virginia exploded, and Dallas metro and others grew very fast, but we're talking about an entire STATE!

EDIT: mm's map shows that 91 of the 100 NC counties will grow by at least 10% by 2030. More than half of NC counties will grow by more than 25%. The US growth rate is only 3-4%.

[TIlover]

Bleh... I think they could do some things to stem growth. One town (was it Denver, NC?) stopped issuing building permits in an effort to help plan for the growth. It would be a shame to see this beautiful state turn into a wasteland because the government "couldn't" plan for the droves of people moving here...

[maryCh]

We'll be making the population go down by 5... moving out of state this summer. We have experienced the lack of improvement too long!

[TIlover]

maryCh... may I ask, are you from NC originally? And where are you moving? I'm from the triangle, but articles like the one above make it sound like NC has a bleak future, and I'm considering moving elsewhere after I finish graduate school...

[citydweller]

I wouldn't call it bleak at all. Good jobs are being created and moving to the state in great numbers. As a result many people are moving to the state which could be a positive or a negative, depends on how you view it.

[maryCh]

No I am not a native. Although we have lived here 14-1/2 years. Two of my kids are natives, and my older two were 5 and 2 when we moved here, so they are practically natives as well.

I know part of "our" problem is having lived in one of the many rural counties. While we like the quiet, the local economy has been progressively going downhill for at least 10 years. We had to commute to Greensboro for decent jobs (not even wonderful, just decent).

With 4 kids, it has been really tough. Schools issues have gotten to the point that I no longer work, as I am at school for my special ed son at least once or twice a week.

You asked where we are moving... to Delaware. Schools are one priority, but work is another. Sorry to sound so negative, but our not being natives has and continues to affect things.

[maryCh]

In the more rural areas like where we are, if you aren't one of a handful of families, you're out in many ways. There is a local "network" no one sees but everyone feels. I've made several acquaintances over the years that have experienced the same thing. Otherwise, I would say it is just me!

[architect77]

The US Census projects that by 2030 North Carolina will become the 7th most populous state with 12,227,739 residents. Believe it or not, I think that with proper thought and planning NC could retain much of its beauty and appeal and not look much different from the way it looks today.

Imagine if you asked residents back in 1960 (when NC's population was 4.5 million) what the state would be like in 2007 with a population of 9 million.

Of course I agree however, that current development patterns and practices must change, and soon if the extraordinary beauty of the state is to be preserved.