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Northumberland Demographic Snapshot�May 6, 2022

Jonathan Johnson Senior Policy Analyst

Center for Rural Pennsylvania�johnsonj@rural.pa.gov | www.rural.pa.gov 

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Center for �Rural Pennsylvania

Legislative research agency of the Pennsylvania General Assembly �(Act 16, 1987 & Act 12, 2009)

Mandates

      • Administer grants to conduct research on rural conditions.
      • Maintain a database on rural conditions and needs.

Recent Legislative Hearings:  �Opioid Use, Broadband Access, COVID-19 Vaccines, Rural Aviation; Invasive Species; Solar on Farmland

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Population Change

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Has Northumberland County Always been a rural county?

4

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No! �From 1870 to 1950 Northumberland had a population density above the statewide rate.

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Population in Northumberland County, �1920 to 2020

Data sources: U.S. Census Bureau

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Municipal Population Change in Northumberland County

Data sources: U.S. Census Bureau.

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Percent Change in Pennsylvania Municipal Population, 2010 to 2020

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Population Change by County, 2010 to 2020

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Causes of Population Change

In- and Out-Migration and Natural Change

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Which U.S. county did the highest number of Northumberland County expatriates move to in 2019?

  • Broward County, Florida
  • San Diego County, California
  • Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
  • Wake County North Carolina
  • Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
  • Gwinnett County, Georgia
  • Nassau County, New York

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Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

343 persons moved from Northumberland County to Lycoming County

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Migration Into and Out of Northumberland County, 2019

3,993 Persons Moved Into Northumberland County

4,267 Persons Moved Out of Northumberland County

In-Migration

Out-Migration

Net

Inside Pennsylvania

3,094

3,455

-361

Other States

823

812

11

International

76

0

76

Total

3,993

4,267

-274

Data source: 2019 5-year Average, American Community Survey. U.S. Census Bureau

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In and Out-Migration from �Northumberland County, �2019

In-Migration into Northumberland County, 2019

78% of people who moved into Northumberland County came from a county <100 miles away

79% of people who moved out of Northumberland County went to a county <100 miles away

Out-Migration from Northumberland County, 2019

Maps exclude 76 persons who moved in or out of United States. Data source: 2019, 5-year Average, American Community Survey. U.S. Census Bureau

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Births and Deaths in Northumberland County, 1970 to 2020*

*2020 Data is preliminary.

Data sources: Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Every Years Since 1983 Deaths Have Outnumbered Births

Shaded counties had more deaths than births, 2019

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According to the CDC, the total fertility rate (TFR) estimates the number of births that a hypothetical group of women would have over their lifetimes, based on age-specific birth rates in a given year.  Replacement level for the TFR is the level at which a given generation can exactly replace itself (generally considered to be 2.1 births per woman).  Data for Pennsylvania counties is for women age 15 to 44 years old. Data sources: Pennsylvania Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Top Five States with the Highest Total Fertility Rates, 2019

  1. South Dakota = 2.08
  2. North Dakota = 2.00
  3. Utah = 1.99
  4. Nebraska = 1.97
  5. Alaska = 1.94

...

39. Pennsylvania  = 1.65

Total Fertility Rates By County, 2017-2019

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Aging Population

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What major demographic event occurred at midnight �January 1, 2011?

18

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First Baby Boomer turned� 65 years old

19

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Number of Youth and Senior Citizens in Northumberland County, 1950 to 2040 (projected)

Shaded counties have more persons 65+ than persons <20 years old

Data sources: U.S. Census Bureau and Pennsylvania State Data Center

2011

2019

2030(p)

2040(p)

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Percent Change in Public School Enrollment, �2020-21 to 2029-30

Data sources: Pennsylvania Department of Education

 

Enrollment

2020-21

Enrollment 2029-30 (pro.)

% Change

Line Mountain SD

1,042

955

-8.3%

Milton Area SD

1,957

1,834

-6.3%

Mount Carmel Area SD

1,451

1,325

-8.7%

Shamokin Area SD

2,189

2,122

-3.1%

Shikellamy SD

2,838

2,432

-14.3%

Warrior Run SD

1,481

1,273

-14.0%

Northumberland Co.

10,958

9,941

-9.3%

Pennsylvania

1,516,271

1,491,811

-1.6%

Public School Enrollment in Northumberland County, 1980 to 2029 (projected)

Public School Enrollment in Northumberland County School Districts, 2018-19 to 2028-29 (projected)

Actual

Projected

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Age of Employed Persons in Northumberland County, �Second Quarter, 2000 to 2021

Data source: Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics , U.S. Census Bureau.

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Population Diversity

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24

This morning, how many minutes did it �take the sun to get from Mount Carmel to Herndon Borough?

Mount Carmel

Borough

May 6, 2022

Sunrise = 5:58 AM

Herndon

Borough

May 6, 2022

Sunrise = ???

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25

2 Minutes

Mount Carmel

Borough

May 6, 2022

Sunrise = 5:58 AM

Herndon

Borough

May 6, 2022

Sunrise = 6:00 AM

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People of Color in Northumberland County

Northumberland County

Population by Race and Ethnicity, 2020

Data source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Percent of Population of Color, 2000 to 2020

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Number of People of Color by Municipality, �2000 and 2020

Number of People of Color, 2000

(n=1,966,809)

1 Dot = 10 People

People of color include all people who are not non-Hispanic whites. Data sources: 2000 Census, and 2020 Census, U.S. Census Bureau. 

Number of People of Color, 2020

(n=3,463,572)

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Changing Families and Housing

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What percentage of Northumberland Countians have lived in the same home for more than 30 years?��A. 16%�B. 23%�C. 39%

29

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What percentage of Northumberland Countians have lived in the same home for more than 30 years?�A. 16%�B. 23%�C. 39%

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Changing Households in Northumberland County

Single Person Households, 1970 to 2020

Types of Households in Northumberland County, 2020

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Housing in Northumberland County

69%

Pennsylvania Homeownership Rate

71% Northumberland Homeownership Rate

$187,500

Pennsylvania

Median Home Value

$119,8000

Northumberland Median Home Value

Occupied and Vacant Housing in Northumberland County

Ratio of Income to Rent for Northumberland County Renters, 2020

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--Summary--�5 Things to Remember

The county is experiencing a prolong period of slow and declining population.

This is a long-term trend, and it is unlikely to change in the near term.

The county’s population is becoming older and more diverse.

Aging population will have profound education and economic implications.

Northumberland County is not alone.

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What to do?

Don’t panic, these are not new issues.

Learn the causes of these trends and how they are affecting your county.

Recognize that there are no silver bullets– you’ll need to try many different policies and programs.

Focus on improving quality of life for all residents– don’t cater to specific generation.

Remember that Northumberland is a big county with lots of assets and opportunities.