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Census estimates for July 2012 show that 47 out of 100 NC counties lost population from July 2011 to July 2012. While urban and adjacent suburban counties continue to grow, nearly half the state experienced population decline.
That article doesn't define "loss" very well, at least not in the map. Some counties are actually just holding steady (Surry County, for example, "lost" 2 people). Although the 3.3% decline in Washington County is definitely significant, I'd wager a lot of places aren't exactly "shrinking," just not growing.
I'll tell you as a former Cleveland resident, population loss has a massive impact on the quality of life of a city.
That article doesn't define "loss" very well, at least not in the map. Some counties are actually just holding steady (Surry County, for example, "lost" 2 people). Although the 3.3% decline in Washington County is definitely significant, I'd wager a lot of places aren't exactly "shrinking," just not growing.
I'll tell you as a former Cleveland resident, population loss has a massive impact on the quality of life of a city.
This isn't exactly true...there is significant population loss going on in many of the more rural counties and for some reason, no one in Raleigh is talking about it. There are no jobs being "created" in these area's, so there is no reason for anyone to stay there...so you have people dying and not being replaced.
In terms of QOL, you are correct, it has a massive impact when the vacancy rate gets past 10% or so...and the state of NC is doing little to nothing to deal with that. Vacant houses, vacant commercial and industrial buildings just lead to decay. They have to be removed for there to be any value in a community and most of these communities can't afford to do it on their own.
NC needs to set up an agency specifically to deal with this issue, I know they have the Rural Center, but its goals are too defined and not broad enough.
I am surprised, while it seems to be still growing, Union county is now no where near as fast growing as it was and it has fallen behind a bunch of places.
From that article I found a link to another map where you can click on county to see population changes.
I was surprise to see Rowan County on the loss side, maybe that will change when the widening is done below it.
About all the counties thst border VA have a loss.
I think the estimate for loss in Rowan is too low. Large #'s of empty homes and Apt. in county.
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Where do I go on that site to find the list?
