Introduction - Munson Township



CHAPTER III

Community Data and Analyses

Introduction

Preparation of this plan update has required collection and examination of extensive data about Munson Township and its surrounds. Future population and housing have been projected to determine likely future conditions within the 20-year planning period.

The following subjects are summarized in this chapter:

• Demographic Trends and Projections

• Housing Trends

• Transportation

• Utilities

• Public and Private Facilities and Services

• Outside Influences

• Agricultural Lands

• Environmental Characteristics

• Land Use Patterns and Trends

Demographic Trends and Projections

General Population Information. The 2000 U.S. Census recorded a population of 6,450 persons in Munson Township, 12% higher than the population of 5,775 persons recorded in 1990. By comparison, the population of Geauga County also increased by 12% during the same period.

Graph 1

Population: 1940 to 2000

Munson Township

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Graph 2

Population: 1940 to 2000

Geauga County

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Since 1970, the population density in Munson has increased from 136.7 to 252 persons per square mile in 2000. On the county level, during the same 30 year time span, population density increased from 155.8 to 224.9 persons per square mile (see Table 1).

Table 1

Land Area And Population Density By Township: 1970 to 2000

Geauga County

| |Land Area 2000 |People per Square Mile |

|Township |Square Miles |1970 |1980 |1990 |2000 |

|Auburn |27.9 |55.2 |84.0 |118.2 |184.9 |

|Bainbridge |25.7 |272.8 |318.1 |377.2 |424.7 |

|Burton |23.2 |100.5 |118.8 |122.3 |125.3 |

|Chardon |22.9 |136.8 |154.5 |176.3 |208.0 |

|Chester |23.5 |442.0 |477.1 |470.1 |466.7 |

|Claridon |22.6 |94.0 |108.7 |117.5 |123.9 |

|Hambden |22.5 |110.1 |129.8 |147.2 |178.8 |

|Huntsburg |23.4 |74.0 |92.1 |112.9 |140.9 |

|Middlefield |23.1 |110.6 |148.2 |170.6 |191.3 |

|Montville |24.4 |53.3 |70.3 |68.9 |81.3 |

|Munson |25.6 |136.7 |200.8 |225.6 |252.0 |

|Newbury |28.2 |140.7 |186.0 |199.0 |205.9 |

|Parkman |27.2 |76.3 |96.6 |113.3 |130.4 |

|Russell |19.2 |235.5 |277.9 |292.4 |288.0 |

|Thompson |25.7 |71.1 |80.7 |86.3 |92.7 |

|Troy |25.3 |64.2 |68.3 |75.2 |101.5 |

|All Townships |390.4 |133.0 |160.9 |177.6 |198.6 |

|County Total |404.1 |155.8 |184.3 |200.8 |224.9 |

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Age Characteristics. The population age data for Munson indicates that the number of persons for most age categories increased from 1980 to 2000. Since 1980 the percentage increase (5.3%) was greatest in the 65 and over age bracket of the population. The under 18-age bracket showed a decline of over 8%.

Graph 3

Age Of Population: 2000

Munson Township

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Table 2

Population By Age: 1980, 1990, and 2000

Munson Township

| |1980 |1990 |2000 |

|Age |# |% |# |% |# |% |

|Under 18 |1,731 |32.7% |1,548 |26.8% |1,590 |24.6% |

|18 – 64 |3,104 |58.7% |3,451 |59.8% |3,972 |61.6% |

|65 + |451 |8.6% |776 |13.4% |888 |13.8% |

|Total |5,286 |100.0% |5,775 |100.0% |6,450 |100.0% |

|Median Age |31.9 | |37.5 | |42.0 | |

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Income and Education Characteristics. The 1990 median household income was $52,571. Adjusted by the annualized Consumer Price Index, that income would have been $60,623 in 1990. The median household income reported in 2000 was, in fact, 31% higher, at $69,024. The Munson median income is 15% higher than the 2000 Geauga County median of $60,200.

Compared to the state and the nation, citizens of Geauga County are highly educated. About 16% of Ohioans are college educated, while 20% of the residents of the United States have a college degree. Almost 24% of Geauga County residents age 25 and older have at least a Bachelor’s degree. In Munson Township, according to the 2000 Census 39.2% of the residents have a college degree.

Labor Force Characteristics. From 1980 to 1990, the labor force of Munson increased by 26% from 2,338 persons to 2,956 persons. In 1990, 66% of Munson residents worked outside of Geauga County with a mean travel to work time of 29 minutes. According to the 2000 Census data, the labor force in Munson increased by 12% since 1990 to 3,303 persons. The average travel time to work remained comparable in 2000 at 29.3 minutes.

A variety of occupational types are present in the Munson Township labor force. In 1990, about 56% of the labor force was employed in administrative/managerial, professional specialty, sales, and technical positions. By the year 2000, 71% of the occupations in the township were in management, professional, and related occupations or sales and office occupations (see Graph 5).

Graph 4

Occupations: 1980 to 1990

Munson Township

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Graph 5

Occupations: 2000

Munson Township

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Population Projections. Munson Township’s population is expected to continue to increase proportionate to new housing construction. The actual rate of increase will depend, of course, upon many factors including regional economic trends (for example, employment, incomes, cost of housing and of vehicle fuel); regional development patterns (for example, competitiveness of other communities in the housing market, changes in transportation patterns and accessibility); regional demographic and housing trends (household sizes, alternative living arrangements, housing type and location preferences); changing technologies and housing impacts (water consumption, waste disposal); and local land use authorities and decisions (amendments to the zoning resolution and map, acquisition of open space areas, etc.). While it is impossible to project the probability of changes in all of these areas, it is appropriate to make educated projections of the range of population trends within the 20-year planning period. It is also possible to estimate a “build out” population based on assumptions about some future conditions.

Projection “A.” One very simple projection is a “straight line projection” which extends recent and current trends into the future. Projection “A” on the table and chart below is a straight line projection based on extension of the 1990-2001 average of 41 residential building permits per year and a per unit population of 2.86 persons per household pursuant to the 2000 census data.

Projection “B.” Munson Township’s location in the region makes it likely that future rates of construction will be higher than projected by the straight line method (which is simply based on past building permit trends). This is due to the continued eastward shift of development from the western tier of Geauga townships into the less developed townships, including Munson. As the western tier townships approach their build out, the attractiveness of Munson for residential development is likely to increase. This trend could be reflected in at least a modest 10% increase in average building permits in Munson, as illustrated in Projection “B.” This projection essentially modifies the straight line of “A” with the assumption of a higher average number (approximately 45) of building permits over the last 20 year period. (The 12-year average, from 1990 through 2001, was 40.75 units per year. Increased by 10%, the projection line reflects 45 units each year.)

Projection “C.” A third projection, similar to Projection “B,” reflects the impacts of an even higher rate of construction, that is, an increase of 15% over the 12-year average. Increased by 15%, the projection line reflects 47 units each year.

Taken together, then, the three projections anticipate that Munson’s population will increase from the current 6,450 persons (2000 census) to between 7,600 and 7,800 persons by 2010 and to a size between 8,200 and 8,500 persons by 2020

These projections are important because they anticipate population increases. As a consequence, it is suggested the township anticipate increased demand for public services and facilities, increased traffic, increased environmental impacts, and need for increased tax revenues to fund the services and to address the impacts.

Graph 6

Population: 1940 to 2000

Selected Townships

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Table 3

Population Projections: 2000 to 2020

Munson Township

| | | | | |

| |2000* |2005 |2010 |2020 |

| | | | | |

|Projection “A” |6,450 |7,036 |7,622 |8,208 |

| | | | | |

|Projection “B” |6,450 |7,094 |7,738 |8,382 |

| | | | | |

|Projection “C” |6,450 |7,122 |7,794 |8,466 |

* Year 2000 Census

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, year 2000 Census

The Geauga County Planning Commission

Graph 7

Population Projections: 2005 to 2020

Munson Township

Source: The Geauga County Planning Commission

Growth Simulation

Generalized growth simulations were performed to project potential single-family homes that may exist by the year 2020 in the township and the resultant growth patterns. A software model was prepared in conjunction with Kent State University, Department of Geography to analyze and map future development possibilities. At the township level, such simulations reflect an estimate of growth, recognizing that actual development yields may change due to a number of variables. The existing land use map (see Map 41) was used to determine the amount and location of developed and undeveloped areas in the township.

The following assumptions were applied in the performance of the simulations.

• Historic county building department permit data for single family homes were utilized for the time frame 1970 to 2001 to determine the expected number of new homes to be built.

• Only one, single family home may be built per undeveloped lot in the residential zoning districts.

• A lot size of 3.5 acres was employed (assuming the average lot size currently allowed). In the initial simulation generalized prevailing zoning districts were utilized as a guide. In the second, the zoning district boundaries shown on the proposed land use plan map (see Map 44) were employed. It must be noted that the real properties held by the City of Akron, the Geauga Park District, and the State of Ohio were included in areas subject to development in the initial simulation because they are, under existing zoning, generally classified within residential districts.

• An even distribution was determined between projected “frontage” residential development along existing roads and development within platted subdivisions.

• Parcels already built upon were excluded for purposes of future development.

Map 2, Avoid Critical Natural Areas

• Critical Natural Areas (CNA’s) may not be developed. Such areas include floodplains, wetlands, steep slopes (>18%), and shallow bedrock ( ................
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