HomeMy WebLinkAbout2628 Amends Comp Plan-Chapter VORDINANCE NO. 2628
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND AMENDING THE ASHLAND
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - CHAPTER V - "POPULATION PROJECTIONS
AND GROWTH."
THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Chapter V of the Ashland Comprehensive Plan, ~Population Projections
and Growth~, shall be replaced in its entirety by the revised chapter attached as
"Exhibit A2
The foregoing ordinance was first read on the 7'-7:2a day of
and duly PASSED AND ADOPTED this o?/~t-day of
1991.
City Recorder
SIGNED AND APPROVED this ~;)-//7 ~day of
Catherine M. Golden
Mayor
V-1
CHAPTER V
POPULATION PROJECTIONS AND GROWTH
Introduction
A community's population change constitutes an impor-
tant part of a comprehensive plan. Housing, economic
growth, public services, and land requirement projections
are based on population size and characteristics. Unfortu-
nately, the projection of population changes for a small
community is difficult. Factors that influence growth or
decline, notably migration, are unpredictable and outside
local government control. A reasonably accurate growth
range in Ashland can be projected, however, and our
community's plans built around this projection.
This chapter examines Ashland's historic population growth
and discusses the changes that have occurred, primarily dur-
ing the last 30 years. Four projections, covering four different
sets of assumptions for future growth will be discussed. The
projections will address population numbers and age compo-
sition. Community income and ethnic aspects will be exam-
ined, and finally, policies relating to population changes will
be def'med.
Historic Growth, 1850 to 1940
Ashland began in 1851 with the settlement of pioneers in the
area now occupied by the Plaza, at the site of what had been
a Shasta Indian village. By 1860 the population was 327, with
men outnumbering women 2 to 1. By ~880 Ashland had 842
people and was one of the region's larger communities. The
o
n
I I I I I I I I
¥eeJ'
Ashland's populatt~n, 1860 to 1940
railroad's arrival in 1887 created the tom's first growth boom,
and by 1890 the population had more than doubled to 1,784.
It continued to grow to 2,634 by 1900. Between 1900 and 1910
the city and region prospered and the population almost
doubled to 5,020 by 1910. Ashland's population then declined
as Medford became the largest regional city and the railroad
routed their main lines through Klamath Falls in the 1920's.
In 1920 Ashland's population had fallen to 4283, but grew
slightly to 4,554 by 1930, and to 4,774 by 1940. The population,
therefore, hovered between 4,000 and 5000 for 40 years, from
1905, through two world wars and the Great Depression, until
1945.
V-2
Population Growth 1950 to 1970
The post war years and the timber industry's emergence as
southern Oregon's economical mainstay stimulated Ashland's
1950 and 1970 Population
Age Group
The population changes from 1950 to 1970 were largely caused
by an increase in the student aged population of the City.
growth and the population almost doubled in 20 years from
7,739 in 1950 to 9,119 in 1960, reaching 12,342 in 1970. In the
1950's the town contained a number of lumber mills, and the
tourist industry began to slowly develop around the Shakespeare
Festival. Also during this period, Ashland ~tcquired a charac-
teristic it retains today, an unusually large percentage of
youngpersons between the ages of 18 and 25, a result of
Southern Oregon State College's rapid expansion during this
period. The increase in college age persons due to the "baby
boom," and an increased emphasis on college education
expanded SOSC's enrollment from 1,294 in 1960 to 4,230 in
1970.
This increase was accompanied by a shift in the community
age profile. Of the 4,600 population increase from 1950 to
1970, 52% was between the ages of 15 and 25. The total
population percentage between 15 and 25 was 16% in 1950,
and by 1970 it was 29% of the population. The approximately
3,000 students who attend SOSC and live in the city limits gives
Ashland its characteristic age profile, and will continue to
influence the city in the future.
Growth from 1970 to 1980
The 1970's saw heavy migration to Oregon from other states.
Oregon's population grew by 25%, an increase of nearly
600,000 persons -- about 375,000 of that number due to
migration. Migrants between 25 and 40 years of age, who
accounted for 48% of the influx, and persons 0 to 15 (probably
the adult migrant's children) compromising another 28%.
The 'baby boom' generation migrants and their children ac-
counted for 76% of migration to Oregon and about 50% of the
total population increase during the 1970's.
Ashland's population grew in an even more exaggerated
pattern than the state's. Of the approximately 2,600 popula-
tion increase during the 1970's, over 1900 (75%) were between
the ages 25 to 40. There was little change, however, in the
children's age group. The freshman college student age cate-
gory (15 to 19) declined by 152. Young students' large influx
into Ashland in the 1960's and young adults in the 1970's gave
Ashland a decidedly different community character than
surrounding southern Oregon areas.
1970 and 1980 Population
o
n
Age Group
Population changes from 1970 to 1980 reflect the heavy migration of '~aby
boom" adults to ~ishland .during this time.
Growth Since 1980
The recession that struck Oregon in 1980 affected growth in
Ashland The population of the community grew little from
1980 to 1985, compared with the previous three decades.
However, a recovering state and national economy has at-
tracted new migrants. As in the P~t, each new wave of
migrants has unique characteristics, and the current group
V-3
appears older and wealthier, choosing the community for its
quality of life. The City projects that the population at the end
of 1989 will be 16,702.
While the 1,780 new residents is the smallest increase since
the decade of the 1930% there have been significant changes
to the population makeup. The number of children aged 0 to
14 increased by about 300, implying both that migrants of the
1960's and 1970's are having children later in life, and that the
1980 and 1969 Population
Age Group
The 1980's have brought more persons over 65, but most migration is still
from people born between 1940 and 1955, and their children.
new migrants are bringing children to Ashland. The number
of people aged 15 to 29, the college age sector in the popula-
V-4
tion profile, decreased by about 680, reflecting the trend for
older students to attend the college. (The median student age
is now 28.) The group from 35 to 50 in age increased by almost
1,200. Persons over 60 increased by about 780. These shifts
reflect the aging resident population of the "baby boom"
population and the migration of persons aged 65 and over.
Presumably coming to Ashland to retire, this last age group's
number is significant, but often over-estimated. The group
responsible for the largest population increases since the
decade of the 1960's were born between 1940 and 1955.
SOSC's Student Population
SOSC's population comes largely from the Southern Oregon
area. In 1988, 58% of the students were from Jackson County,
76% were from the
seven county
Southern Oregon
area, and 88%
were from Oregon.
We assume that
SOSC enrollment
will continue to
grow proportion-
ately to the 15 to
30 year old popu-
lation group -- the
group most likely
to attend the insti-
tution.
.4J10~hera
Ore~
Southern Ore, on
lackson
SOSCs student population, by county of origin.
Population Projections
The methodology used in population projections greatly af-
feets their outcomes. The least accurate methods simply use
trend analysis on past population change and project the past
tendencies into the future. Although this method is quick it
does not consider the various factors affecting population
changes. Because unusual short range changes are influenced
by factors not continuously present, it is wiser to base projec-
tion on factors that influence population growth, rather than
on gross, aggregate numerical shifts over time.
Sophisticated and accurate methods for projections use the
basic factors affecting population change. The problem in
using this method for Ashland is that population changes tend
to be more volatile in a small city, and forecasts less reliable
because of the small sample size. Migration to Jackson
County would be clearly based on economic assumptions,
while the location where people settled in the county would
be based on factors more difficult to predict, such as price
and availability of housing.
Detailed dty population data is often unavailable, and
national projects are usually done for larger regions than
Ashland. One option open to the City of Ashland is to use
population projections for Jackson County and to assume
that Ashland will retain its relative size to the county in the
future. There appears to be some consistency to Ashland's
percentage of county population. From 1900 to 1920
Ashland accounted for 20% of county population. In 1930
it dropped to 14% of county population and remained at
about 13% from 1940 to 1970. In 1980 it fell again to 11.5
%. Ashland has remained at this percentage through the
1980's. It appears that Ashland will remain at about 11.5 % of
county population projections.
Past Projections
Ashland's 1982 comprehensive plan used a projection based
on the growth experienced from 1940 through 1980. A
straight line projection was made of this growth pattern,
yielding an estimated population of 18,000 in 1990 and 21,000
in 2000. This figure was used for many of the city's public
facilities plans and for determining the size of the Urban
Growth Boundary (UGB). While it appears that the pro-
jected growth rate was too high, this projection has an unex-
pected benefit - these plans and the UGB will be valid a few
more years than was expected.
Population Projection Methods
The population projections discussed in this plan use a meth-
odology called cohort component analysis. This method
makes estimates based on the three main factors affecting
population change: birth rate, death rate, and migration rate.
The most stable of these is the death rate, which is based on
the long term health of a community. This rate changes
slowly, mostly due to medical advances, increased public
sanitation, and amount of environmental pollution. Short
range changes can also occur due to natural disaster, epidem-
ics, and wars or civil unrest, rare in the United States and
unpredictable in any case. The birth rate is more volatile;
especially since the advent of convenient and reliable !~{rth
control methods. While birth rates in the 1960's and the
1980's have changed, the rates appear to have stabilized
recently, and may indicate a long range stability.
Migration is the most unpredictable component and the most
important forAshland. Analysis of Ashland's historical popu-
lation data indicates that major population changes in Ash-
V-5
land have always been caused by migration, from pioneer days
to the recent migration of "baby boomers" Most migration
predictions are economically based -- assumed to happen in
response to the availability or lack of local jobs. Ashland has
not always followed this pattern. A significant migration in
recent years has been attracted to the community for educa-
tion, theatre and the existing quality of life, instead of eco-
nomic opportunity. Migration assumptions are always the
most important part of a projection and may radically affect
the estimate.
Most important to remember is that forecasts are not predic-
tions of the future. They are analyses of historic data, and
explain future conditions based on certain assumptions. They
are reliable only to the point that their assumptions about the
future are correct. Although the future can rarely be pre-
dicted, the land use planning process can both guide the future
and flexibly respond to changes we cannot control.
Jackson County and Ashland Demographics
AS indicated above, the population projections used in this
plan were actually made for Jackson County. Projections for
Ashland assume that Ashland will remain 11.5 % of Jackson
County population and that we will retain current SOSC
student population levels. The student population results in
a disproportionate amount of people in the age groups 15 to
19, 20 to 24 and 25 to 29. With this student population number
removed, Ashland's remaining population age distribution is
similar to that of Jackson County.
V-6
Differences
Ashland vs Jackson County
in 1980
Ii [ I
Age Group
The &fferences between Jackson County's and Ashland's demo-
graphics are demonstrated by this bar chart.
Four Projections to the year 2005
The following four projections are made using four different
models. Based on various assumptions, each model yields
disparate results. However, the planning process requirersr'
that one population projection method be consistently used to
determine the plan requirements, and the rest indicate only
other possible directions the city may take.
Natural Increase
The first projection is for illustrative purposes only. It repre-
sents what would happen if Ashland were a closed system, that
is, if there were no migration in or out of the community. The
birth and death rates are those of Jackson County in 1986. If
this continued Ashland's population would increase from the
current 16,310 to 17,705 by 2005. Ashland's population would
level off about 2008 and begin a gradual decline. The major
demographic changes include a distinct aging of the popula-
tion, with a population shift from those aged 35 to 50 to those
45 to 60. This projection is a theoretical reference point to
compare other population forecasts. Differences in the age
groups between this and other projections will indicate migra-
tion. If only natural increase were to influence the population
growth, Ashland would increase to 17,705 by the year 2005.
Center for Population Research and Census, Portland State
University
In 1984 The Center for Population Research at Portland State
University published projections for all Oregon cotmiles through
the year 2000. In this document the projections have been
extended to the year 2005. The Portland State birth and death
rate assumptions were similar to those used in the projection
for natural increase only, while the migration assumptions
were based on Oregon in the 1970's. The projections assumed
that Oregon would experience effects of the early 1980's
recession until 1985, when migration would then resume at
the rates and the population profile of the 1970's.
This projection has been close to actual data in terms of a
population increase as of 1988, however the Portland State
population projection has been slightly lower than the actual
amount now estimated for 1988 in Jackson County. This is
because of two assumptions made by the PortlandState pro-
jections-- the migration group age profile, and the economic
recession effects of the 1980's.
1800-
IS00.--
1989 Population and
2005 Natural Increase Projection
Age Group
Population changes by the year 2005 due to natural increase only.
As indicated above, the Portland State projection assumed
that migration would continue as it had in the 1970's. While in
the 1970's 76% of the migration was by persons aged 25 to 39,
and their children aged 0 to 14, this group's migration to
Jackson County had dropped to 62% in the 1980's. Twenty.six
percent of all migrants to the area in the 1980's were ov~ei' 65
years of age. Currently 11% of the west coast population is
over 65. In 1980 Ashland's over-65 population was 13% and
rose to almost 15% by 1988. The Portland State projection
tends to overestimate the migration of younger groups. Be-
cause the error is in a population segment that continues to
have children, the resulting disparity ,_compounds in future
years as newly arrived migrants continue to add new children
to the population.
V-7
The projections also overestimated the effects of the 1981-
1982 recession and underestimated Jackson County popula-
tion through 1989. While the county's 1985 population was to
have been 135,170 in 1985 due to a lack of job opportunity, it
actually reached 137,900 that year. The projections assumed
a rapid growth from 1985 to 1988 with a population increase
of almost 6,800. Actual population increase was 5,700. The
projection's rate of growth, because of these two errors, is
greater than actually experienced in the 1980's and the popu-
lation profile overestimates migration of persons 25 to 40, and
underestimates migration of persons over 65. If these projec-
tions were to prove accurate, Ashland population would
increase to 21,772 by 2005.
1989 Population and
~.00§ Portland State Projection
r
01
Age Group
Population changes by the year 2005projected by Portland State.
V-8
Woods & Poole Economics
Woods & Poole Economics, Inc. is a Washington, D.C. firm
that has developed a large computer model for the United
States. The model contains historic census data, and makes
projections to the year 2010. The method used is to model
population growth on natural increase, and migration based
on job creation. Job creation is estimated by several factors
such as industry type, past success at creating new jobs, and
others. The model contains 42 million numbers in its matrix
and balances the projections across the country, so that
changes in one region are reflected in another.
This sophisticated model projects a slower rate of growth for
Jackson County and Ashland. Population in Ashland would
be little larger than by natural increase in the year 2005 --
17,906. However, Jackson County is already exceeding the
Woods & Poole Economics growth rate. The projection,
based on 1986 data, forecasted 142,760 in 1988, while the
current estimate is 143,000. While this is not a large discrep-
ancy, Woods & Poole Economics forecast a relatively slow
growth rate in the 1990's and into the first few years of the new
century. New job creation in Jackson County is expected to
climb slowly, from about 67,000 today to 80,000 in2005 -- an
increase of less than 20%. Of the new jobs, 67% would be in
retail trade and services and only 14% in manufacturing. ~ t
1989 Population and
2(105 Woods & Poole Projection
1800--
l~OO-
P 14oo-
O ~ ~ , ~
Age Group
Population changes by the year 2005projected by Woods & Poole
2005, while there would be 13,420 net new jobs. The Woods
& Poole Economics forecast, compared with natural increase,
would predict a substantial net immigration of persons aged
15 to 34, traditionally the highest group of immigrants to the
area.
Fregonese & Reid
The Woods & Poole Economics projections exhibit some
weaknesses. Population increase is low, even when compared
with the relatively low job creation. In fact they are almost
equal. For Jackson County, Woods & ~Poole Economics
forecast an increase of 13,863 in population between 1988 and
The final projection was developed by John Fregonese and
Rebecca Reid. This projection is not based on a large scale
model and does not use economic modeling as its base, as did
the Woods & Poole Economics and Portland State models. It
assumes that the current birth and death rates in Jackson
County will be constant, and that immigration will remain at
the same number and demographic profile of the period 1983
to 1988. Using these assumptions, Ashland's population
would increase to 19,995 by the year 2005. The demographic
profile shows current trends continuing. While this projection
appears to match our most recent experience, it lacks the
other two models' sophistication. However, it is more tailored
to local conditions as it is based on Jackson County trends,
rather than state or national trends. It is a middle ground
between the high Portland State projection and the lower
Woods & Poole Economics models.
Official Projection
As indicated above, the comprehensive plan requires an
1989 Population and
I~005 Fregonese & Reid Projection
e 14oo--
r
B
O
13.
m
Age Group
Population changes by the year 2005projected by Fregonese & Reid
V-9
official projection for the city -- a consistent base for other
plan elements to estimate land and service requirements.
Because it is based on recent local conditions, the Fregonese
and Reid projections will be used in the plan as the official
projections. Periodic projection reviews will be needed,
however, to accommodate changing conditions, particularly
after the 1990 federal census data is available for Ashland.
The Tourist Population
One component of Ashland's population that is often over-
looked is the tourist population. While in 1970 Ashland had
less than 200 rooms to accommodate travelers, and occupancy
rates were below 50% annually, the success of Ashland's
tourist economy has added to the local population a group of
people that are here simply to enjoy the City's attractions.
This population consists of constantly changing individuals,
but now constitutes a significant proportion of the resident
population. This population cannot be estimated exactly, but
several available statistics allow us to make a reasonably dose
guess.
The easiest statistic to gather is the number of rooms available
for traveler's accommodations. This amount grew from 474 in
1980 to 873 in 1989. In addition occupancy rates grew from
42% annual occupancy rate in 1980 to a 63% annual occu-
pancy rate in 1988. The Economic Element contains a
through analysis of the visitor population, however for the
purposes of this element we need only determine the addi-
tional population that is resident in hotel rooms in Ashland. A
reliable statistic on number of persons per room is derived
from a 1985 study conducted for the Oregon Shakespearean
Festival that revealed an average party size of 2.8 for non-tour
groups visiting the Shakespeare Festival.
V-10
Putting these numbers together, the
average daily tourist population of tran-
sients in Ashland increased from 557 in
1980 (3.7% of the total population) to
1,476 (9% of the total population) in
1988, an increase of 165% in nine years.
The annualvariation is also quite great,
with annual occupancy peaking in
August at 92% (2,248 persons) and
hitting a low of 35% in January (855
persons).
21000-
Population Data
Actual and Projected
19000-
~17000-
15000-~
1BOOO-a~~
11000
As a resident population, they are
unique, as they have large disposable
incomes, but live in tiny quarters at
high densities, and only have one car
per "household". When developing
plans for providing services such as sewer
and water, their consumption is accounted for by their accom-
modations such as motels, hotels, and bed and breakfast inns.
Yet in other types of planning, such as for parks, their popu-
lation is "invisible". It is important to remember to account
for them, as they in fact form a pan of the permanent
population of the City.
Another issue this raises is proportion. Ashland had a practi;
cally nonexistent population of transients in 1970, but by 1980
they accounted for 3.7% of the total, and for 8.4% of the total
today. AS this affects the character of the City and the local
economic health of the community, this proportion is a good
gauge to measure how much of a "tourist town" Ashland
wishes to become. _,.
I[I I II I [ I I I I I[I [ [ I I I I I I [ I I Ill 11 [I II I
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 g 2
9 9 9 9 9 9 9 0 0
7 7 8 B B g 9 0 0
0 5 0 5 B 0 5 0 5
Year
~ Actual
Population
-- Portland
State
-- Woods &
Poole
~ Frego & Reid
Actual population growth from 1970 to 1989, and the three projections to 2005.
The Population of Ashland's Environs
Another population group that affects Ashland is the popula-
tion of the rural area surrounding Ashland. This group does
not consume services such as sewer or water, but affect the
capacity of transportation, parks, school, and also enlarge the
market population served by Ashland businesses. It is best
measured by the population living in the 97520 zip code area.
In 1988 this figure was estimated to be 18,210, while Ashland's
population was 16,310. This means that there were 1,900
living in the rural area surrounding Ashland. The combina-
tion of Ashland's urban growth boundary and current county
zoning seem to indicate that the population increases in this
area will be modest in nature.
School Enroll-
ment
Ashland School
District enroll-
ment has been
variable in the
recent past.
While enroll-
ment declined in
the early 80's, it
increases slightly
from 1982 to
School Enrollment 1978 to 1990, with projections
to 2005
1987. Since 1987, enrollment has increased at a rate faster
than population growth for the City as a whole.
School enrollment can be approximated using the age groups
5 to 9 and 10 to 14. The projections all indicate different con-
ditions for the Ashland School District. The natural increase
projection predicts a 6% decline in school enrollment. Woods
& Poole Economics figures indicate a steady population of
school age children. The Portland State model predicts an in-
crease of 20% in school enrollment. The Fregonese and Reid
projection predicts a 8% increase in enrollment. Using the
official population forecast, Ashland School District can expect
a modest increase in school population, with an increase of
269 students by the year 2005. However, most of this incr$(ase
will come between the present and 1995, with 219 more
students by that date. This growth is due to the aging "baby
boom" generation and their continued fertility. The enroll-
ment will peak by the year 2000, with 289 more students than
in 1988, then decline gradually as the lower birthrates of the
1960's, 1970's and 1980's result in a sjnaller population of
child-beating adults.
V-11
Ethnic Background of Ashland
Jackson County
and Ashland ~og.ox- _
have historicallyio9.0..-
°o.o~-
had small minor-,o.o~-
ity populations,
§O.O~-
with most resi- ~o.ox-
dents of north-
~o.o~[-
ern European ~o.o~-
descent. This 9.ox
lg70
ethnic mix is
changing and is
expected to con-
tinue to change.
1980 1088
gO05
· 1tl~panlo
Ethnic Backgroung of Asidana~ 1970, 1980, and
projections for 2005.
The largest minority group migrating to Jackson County in the
future will be of Hispanic background, that is persons of Latin
American descent, regardless of race.
In 1970, Jackson County's population was 97% of European
descent and Hispanics constituted about 1.8% of the popula-
tion. By 1980 the ethnic minority population was about 4.5%
with the Hispanic number almost doubling to 3% of the total.
In 1988 by Woods & Poole Economics's estimate, ethnic
minorities constitute about 7% of the population, and His-
panics about 5% of the total. Woods & Poole Economics pre-
dict that Hispanic migration to this areawill continue, dispers-
ing from the historical concentration of Hispanic population
in southern California and the Southwest, where most Ash-
land immigrants come from, regardless of race. The Asian
ethnic group, also concentrated on the west coast, will migrate
to Ashland in smaller numbers. By 2005 minorities will
V-12
constitute 14% of Jackson County's population, and Hispan-
ics will be 10% of the total -- most of these of Mexican descent.
Another sizeable population in Jackson County is the Native
American population. According to the 1980 Census, there
were 1,182 Native Americans in Jackson County, however this
population is often under represented in Census tabulations.
Almost none of the local native tribes remain, so the Native
American population is the product of migration to this area.
While there is no hard data, individuals active in the local
population indicate that it is increasing at a greater rate than
the general population.
This ethnic change will significantly affect Ashland. The city
once had a sizeable Chinese population who came to work on
the railroad. Some would have undoubtedly settled here, but
racial hostility forced them out. While Ashland and Jackson
County had significant barriers to ethnic minority migration
until the civil rights laws of the 1960's, public policy and social
norms can now be said to disregard color, although unfortu-
nately some ethnic bigotry remains in the area.
Ashland's Hispanic population has closely parallelled that of
Jackson County in 1970 and 1980, and can be expected to have
a similar percentage of Hispanics and other ethnic groups as
Jackson County in the future. If this is correct, the city can
expect to have a population of about 2,000 Hispanics, mostly
of Mexican descent, and about 800 of other minorities, mostly
Asians, by 2005. while the city has had excellent relations
with its sister city, Guanajuato, Mexico, since 1969, these
cultural contacts will become even more important to foster
Income levels for Ashland Households, 1988
make their impact on Ashland in the areas
food and education.
understanding
and apprecia-
tion of all our
ethnic back-
grounds. As
have past and
present resi-
dents of Euro-
pean descent,
our future citi-
zensof Hispanic
and Asian back-
ground will
of housing, art,
Income Levels
When household income is considered, Ashland is a relatively
poor community in Oregon. while the state's mean house-
hold income in 1988 was $27,053, and Jackson County's was
$25,508, Ashland's was $24,485. Ashland's median household
income, $19,687, is in the state's 26th percentfie. This means
that almost three quarters of dties in Oregon have a higher
median household income. About 39% of Ashland's house-
holds have an income of $15,000 or less, compared with 33%
in Jackson County and 31% in Oregon. while Ashland is
similar to the state and county in household percentages that
earn $50,000 or more (about 10%), it is lower in households
that earn $25,000 to $50,000 (27% in Ashland, 33 % in Jackson
County, and 35% for Oregon). The large percentage of
households in the lower income categories may be a result of
the disproportionate numbers of persons aged 20 to 30 in
Ashland's age profile.
Conclusions
All population forecasts indicate that Ashland's rate of growth
will be slower for the remainder of the century than it has been
in the decades from 1940 to 1980. Ashland will grow to about
20,000 by the year 2005. The new population will come in
three areas: persons aged 35 to 54, children younger than 14,
and persons over 65. Persons ages 15 to 29 will decrease in
number. Jackson County will have an increasing proportion
of ethnic minorities, and this will be reflected in Ashland.
While the rate of growth will slow, changes will continue to
occur. The most significant will be the aging population due
to three factors: a decline in the birth ratecompared to the
1940's and 1950's, the aging of the population born during that
time, and the migration of persons over 65 to this area.
Growth and Carrying Capacity
Generally considered, positive aspects of a relatively consis-
tent growth rate axe a healthy and robust economy, a more
cosmopolitan population, a larger variety of housing types,
more cultural opportunities, more alternative sources of
employment and education, and greater availability of profes-
sional services, specialized shops and repair services.
Population growth, however, also may result in urban sprawl,
traffic congestion, a loss of sense of community, overcrowd-
ing, deterioration of environmental quality and higher hous-
ing prices.
Quality of living, not a particular city size, is the most impor-
tant element to be preserved. However, it is generally con-
ceded that both change in the amount of people living size and
V-13
growth rate will continue to have an effect on the quality of the
living environment. One of the major reasons Ashland places
a great deal of effort in planning is to mitigate the effects of
growth, maintaining the quality of life while accommodating
an increasing population.
The city's carrying capacity is frequently discussed. Limita-
tions to growth include the quantity of water available, the
Rogue Valley airshed's capacity to adsorb and disperse pollu-
tion. These two limitations assume that future water con-
sumption and driving habits of people will not change. If
water consumption per capita lowers, woodstove pollution
controlled, or automotive transportation is replaced by pedes-
trian, bicycle, and public transit, Ashland's carrying capacity
would dramatically increase and the quality of life would
benefit, regardless of population changes. Some amount of
growth will inevitably occur, for Ashland will probably grow in
proportion to the region.
ASSUMPTIONS
Ashland will grow to about 20,000 people by the year 2005.
Ashland's desirability as a place to live will tend to make housing
choices expensive and limited. If corrective measures are not
taken, Ashland's character could change as lower income groups
are forced to live elsewhere Many of these groups are responsible
for the enviable city Ashland is today.
Ashland's residents will continue to desire relatively high stan-
dards of environmental and community values. State planning
law will continue to require each city and county to provide
adequate land, housing, economic support and services for ,its
expected population growth, provided that such growth does not
violate other state planning goals.
V-14
GOAL: TO PROVIDE FOR THE NEEDS OF THE EX-
PECTED POPULATION GROWTH IN ASHLAND TO THE
YEAR 2005, AND MAINTAIN A DIVERSITY OF INCOME,
CULTURAL, AND AGE GROUPS IN ASHLAND'S POPU-
LATION, CONSISTENT WITH OTHER PLAN GOALS.
POLICIES:
1) Develop a growth management strategy that will monitor
Ashland's size and rate of growth. Ifneeded, develop methods
to keep the growth within the expected population projection,
while accommodating the cyclical nature of growth.
2) All other plans and projections by the City should use the
same population projection, for consistency of planning,
unless compelling reasons exist for using alternative projec-
tions.
3) Review, and revise if necessary, the population projections
after data from the 1990 Census is available.
4) Strive to maintain a diversity of population groups in
Ashland, especially if increased growth pressure leads to
more expensive housing. Concentrate on population groups
that are important to Ashland's character, such as students,
artists and actors, employees of the city, school district, and
college, service personnel who work in the tourism industry,
hourly wage earners in local industries, and local residents
who have now retired and live on fixed incomes.
5) Strive for an equal proportion of cultural minorities as a
whole in both the City's population and in municipal employ-
ment.
6) Develop a system that derives the revenue needed to pay for
growth related costs from the development that is most
directly responsible for the growth. Only derive the revenue
from the growth that can be justified as the incremental cost
that can be identified with the growth. Revenues received
should only be spent on projects that will alleviate the prob-
lems associated with the growth. Take steps to reduce finan-
cial hardships caused by the growth taxing system where it
adversely impacts targeted low income groups or needed
economic development.
7) Monitor the proportion of tourist population to local
population.
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V-18
Jackson Jackson
Ashland County Percent County
1980 Percent 1980 Percent Difference 1988
919 ..................6.15% ........................9519 ......................7.19% ....................-1.04% ......................10094
836 ..................5.59% ........................9647 ......................7.28% ....................-1.69% ......................10261
909 ..................6.08% ......................10468 ......................7.90% ....................-1.82% ........................9811
1653 ................11.06% ......................11550 ......................8.72% ......................2.34% ......................10370
2206 ................14.76% ......................10631 ......................8.03% ......................6.73% ........................9829
1624 ................10.87% ......................11515 ......................8.69% ......................2.17% ......................11344
1347 ..................9.01% ......................11041 ......................8.34% ......................0.68% ......................11320
840 ..................5.62% ........................8816 ......................6.66% ....................-1.04% ......................11986
655 ..................4.38% ........................6874 ......................5.19% ....................-0.81% ......................10103
507 ..................3.39% ........................6144 ......................4.64% ....................-1.25% ........................7828
525 ..................3.52% ........................6372 ......................4.81% ....................-1.30% ........................6346
563 ..................3.77% ........................6724 ......................5.08% ....................-1.31 % ........................5786
590 ..................3.95% ........................6435 ......................4.86% ....................-0.91% ........................6039
610 ..................4.08% ........................5989 ......................4.52% ....................-0.44% ........................7176
457 ..................3.06% ........................4488 ......................3.39% ....................-0.33% ........................5848
704 ..................4.71% ........................6243 ......................4.71% ....................-0.00% ........................9159
14945 .......... 100.00% ................ 132456 ................................................0.00000 ..................143400
FTHNIC BACKGROUND
JACKSON COUNTY
1970 1980 1988 2005
White ........................97.15% ............................95.23% ......................93.24% ..........................85.78%
Black ..........................0.05% ................,.~;.'.'; .......0.13% ........................0.17% ............................0.18%
Hispanic ......................1.84% ..............................1.62% ........................2.27% ............................3.72%
Other ..........................0.83% ..............................3.02% ........................4.31% ..........................10.33%
1970 and 1980 is from U.S. Census Bureau
1988 and 2005 is from Woods & Poole Economics, Inc.
V-19
1988 INCOME LEVELS
Jackson
Ashland County Oregon
$0 to $14,000 ..................38.90% ..............................33.20% ........................31.30%
$15,000 to $24,999 ..............23.80% ..............................24.50% ........................22.40%
$25,000 to $34,999 ..............14.10% ..............................18.90% ........................19.10%
$35,000 to $49,000 ..............13.30% ..............................14.40% ........................16.10%
$50,000 to $74,999 ................6.50% ................................5.80% ..........................7.50%
$75,000 and more ................3.60% ................................3.20% ..........................3.50%
Mean Household Income $24,485
Source: CACI, Inc, Arlington VA.
Ashland data is for the 97520 zipcode area
$25,508 $27,053
ASHLAND SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
Year Total enrollment
1978 2,832
1979 2,741
1980 2,698
1981 2,681
1982 2,726
1983 2,800
1984 2,834
1985 2,836
1986 ... 2,864
1987 r-' 2,891
1988 ,~ 2,991
1989 3,023
1990 3,134
Projections
1995 3,353
2000 3,423
2005 3,403
ORD. #2628 5/21/91
~AMDS. ASHLAND COMP PLAN, CHPT. V
"POPULATION PROJECTIONS & GROWTH.~