Morrisville Town Center Plan - 2007

Appendix 4

Table 1.

SELECTED DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS, MORRISVILLE, NC

Factor

Number

Note

Population 1980

251

1990 2000 2004

1,489 5,208

493% Growth 1980-1990 250% Growth 1990-2000 129% Growth 2000-2004 14.2% Primarily Asian/Indian 55.5% Versus 24.4% nationally

11,915

Foreign Born (00) BA or Higher (00)

737

1,960

Housing (00) Households Housing Units Vacant Units

2,476 3,210

2.1 Ave Household Size

69.7% Renter occupied

734

22.9% New, not yet occupied

Sources:

U.S. Bureau of the Census and Randall Gross / Development Economics.

The population is also characterized by its youth, with a median age of 30 as compared with 35 nationally. Only 4.0% of the population was over the age of 65 in 2000, versus 12.4% nationwide. The area is represented by a large number of young, married couples with small families. The average household size (2000) was 2.1, versus 2.6 nationally. This may have changed by 2006 as the area matures and the young couples who move to Morrisville see their families grow. The area had a high percentage of renters in 2000 (almost 70% renter occupied), mainly because multi- family units were among the first large housing developments in the town. Singles and young couples have relocated to Morrisville for their jobs and at first, they tend to live in rental housing until they know the area and are ready to purchase. Information collected for this planning effort suggests that many of the renters eventually chose to stay in Morrisville because it is a very attractive location proximate to the employment base and with very good (Wake County) schools. In 2000, almost 23% of the town’s 3,200 housing units were vacant. However, this number is indicative of the rapid housing growth in the town. Since the Census was a “snapshot” during a growth period for Morrisville, it captured a period when new housing units were built and perhaps pre-sold or pre-leased, but not yet occupied.

76 │ Town Center Plan

January 2007