South County Sector Plan: The Sector Inventory

Population and Growth Trends
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Population and Growth Trends
Unlike the fast growing sectors in the north and west, the South County is growing slowly. From 1980 to 1990 there was a net loss of population, which was overcome in the 1990’s, resulting in a slight net increase from 1980 to 2000. Cohort data suggest an aging population with a decrease in working age populations and children. The development potential for the South County remains high. Due to a number of economic and physical characteristics, however, intensive development and redevelopment in this sector is not likely in the near future.

Population by Age Group

	1980	1990	2000	1980-1990 % Change	1990-2000 % Change
Under 5	1,124	1087	1,054	-3.3%	-3.0%
5-19	4,618	3404	3,417	-26.3%	0.4%
20-34	4,526	3887	3,514	-14.1%	-9.6%
35-64	6,499	7017	8,249	8.0%	17.6%
65+	1,885	2364	3,002	25.4%	27.0%
Total	18,652	17759	19236	-4.8%	8.3%

Source: Bureau of Census 1980, 1990, 2000

Population Growth

	1980	1990	2000	1980-1990 % Change	1990-2000 % Change
South County Sector	18,652	17,759	19,236	-4.8%	8.3%
Knox County	319,694	335,749	382,032	5.0%	13.8%

Source: Bureau of Census 1980, 1990, 2000

Population Characteristics

Population	1980	1990	2000	1980-1990 % Change	1990-2000 % Change
All	18,652	17,759	19,236	-4.8%	8.0%
Male	9,186	8,698	9,377	-5.3%	7.8%
Female	9,466	9,061	9,859	-4.3%	8.8%
White	18,366	17,406	18,650	-5.2%	7.1%
Black	228	166	280	-27.2%	68.7%
Other Race	58	187	153	222.4%	-18.2%
Households	6,033	6,907	7,785	14.5%	12.7%
Families	5,271	5,233	5,616	-0.7%	7.3%
Average Household Size	2.83	2.61	2.41	-7.8%	-7.7%

Source: Bureau of Census 1980, 1990, 2000

The overall population in the South County Sector will remain mostly stable, with slight increases likely in the population of residents over the age of 50. Seniors will remain the fastest growing cohort for the next 20 years.

The growth in senior populations combined with an increasing trend toward "aging in place" suggest a growing demand for rural health systems that emphasize home health care.

1990 Household Income and Poverty Levels
by Census Tracts

	Tract 35	Tract 55	Tract 56.01	Tract 56.02
Median Household Income	$36,838	$23,666	$35,219	$25,538
Mean Household Income	$50,993	$28,811	$41,355	$31,815
% Below Poverty Level	10.7%	14.5%	4.6%	10.4%

Source: Bureau of Census 1990