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Appendix "A" <br />Comprehensive Plan Introductory Element <br />TABLE 1.13 <br />HOUSEHOLDS AND PERSONS PER HOUSEHOLD <br />Year <br />Households <br />(IRC) <br />% Change <br />Persons/ <br />House -Hold <br />(IRC) <br />% Change <br />Persons/ <br />House -Hold <br />L <br />° <br />�O <br />Change <br />1980 <br />23,331 <br />89.3 <br />2.49 <br />-14.1 <br />2.55 <br />-12.1 <br />1990 <br />38,057 <br />63.1 <br />2.33 <br />-6.4 <br />2.46 <br />-3.5 <br />2000 <br />49,137 <br />29.1 <br />2.30 <br />-1.3 <br />2.52 <br />2.4 <br />2005 <br />56,450 <br />2.5% <br />2.26 <br />-1.9% <br />2.46 <br />-2.4% <br />2006 <br />59,250 <br />5.0% <br />2.24 <br />-0.9% <br />2.46 <br />0.0% <br />2007 <br />61,300 <br />3.5% <br />2.23 <br />-0.4% <br />2.45 <br />-0.4% <br />Source: U.S. Census of Population, & University of tforuaa, tsureau or Economic ano Dusiness mesearcu <br />Due to several factors, average household size is decreasing throughout the United States. These <br />factors include families having fewer children and delaying the birth of children; young adults no <br />longer living with parents but moving out on their own, and older persons living longer and not <br />returning to their children in their later years. Combined, these factors have led to a decrease in the <br />average household size. As indicated in Table 1. 13, the average household size in Indian River <br />County, already less than the state's, is decreasing. The pace of that decrease, however, slowed down <br />in the eighties, and even further slowed in the nineties. <br />Population Projections <br />Population projections are essential tools in any planning activity. For land use planning, the amount <br />of population growth determines future requirements for housing, transportation, recreation, schools <br />and other public and private facilities and services. Using a population projection that is too low will <br />likely result in failure to adequately identify and fund future county facility needs (e.g. roads). <br />Conversely, using a population projection that is too high will result in identifying needs that will <br />occur beyond the forecasted time period. A population projection is, therefore, an attempt to provide <br />an accurate forecast of the future population. As with any forecast, the reliability of a population <br />projection depends on the accuracy of the data, the accuracy of the projection methodology and the <br />accuracy of the assumptions used. <br />In Florida, most county comprehensive plans and long range transportation plans rely on countywide <br />population forecasts prepared by the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business <br />Research (BEBR). The BEBR population forecasts include "Low," "Medium," and "High" <br />projections by county in five year increments. According to state law, Seetioll 9r 5.005 of the <br />Fierida Administr-alive Code-, the BEBR medium series projections should be utilized by <br />communities for their planning activities. State law Seeti .n oT 5.005 also allows states;n a <br />Community Development Department Indian River County <br />20 <br />