Population
Population Change
Population growth is generally an indication of a healthy and prosperous economy. It can indicate that a region is desirable and is attracting people to live there. Increased population also provides economic opportunities for new and existing businesses. However, growth is not a panacea, and can bring with it additional concerns and strain existing resources. Erratic growth, no-growth, or long-term decline in population is generally an indication of a struggling economy. Population should be tracked over time and compared against similar regions.
Questions to ask the data...
Are there areas with population increases and decreases? How significant are these changes? How does the change vary by age group?
Does the change follow a consistent trend or was there a sudden change?Â
How has population change compared to other regions? What do you think has caused this change?
Have there been any surprises, such as a specific region that has grown or declined faster than anticipated? Why do you think this is so?
Does this information support popular perceptions or population change in your region?