FINAL DRAFT MULTI-MUNICIPAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CITY OF CONNELLSVILLE, CONNELLSVILLE TOWNSHIP, AND SOUTH CONNELLSVILLE BOROUGH
Chapter 5:
Housing Profile and Plan The housing profile and plan provides an overview on the current housing dynamics in the planning area. By analyzing housing trends and characteristics in the Connellsville area, including household type, household size, the percentage of renter occupied vs. owner occupied housing units, the number of vacant homes, and median housing values, many planning and development needs and opportunities become evident.
Households Household type and size illustrate the domestic make-up of a community. Higher average household size usually indicates more families with children. Communities with larger households often must consider more family-oriented recreational, educational services, and school facilities. Larger households require bigger houses and children require specific social and educational services. For planning purposes, particularly as it relates to housing, the number and type of households are more relevant than total population. Households create the demand for housing rather than individual people. As the table below illustrates, the planning area experienced a net increase of 224 households between 1990 and 2000. However, on a municipal basis, the differences are much more evident. Table 5-1. Household Trends, 1990-2000 1990 Connellsville City Connellsville Township South Connellsville Borough Planning Area Total Pennsylvania Fayette County
3,841 984 836 5,661 4,495,954 56,110
2000
% Change
3,963 1,032 890 5,885 4,777,003 59,969
3.2% 4.9% 6.5% 4.0% 6.3% 6.9%
Source: DemographicsNow, Inc.; U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 SF3 P15
South Connellsville Borough experienced a net gain of 54 households during the 1990s, increasing its household population by 6.5%. Families likely moved into South Connellsville because it is a predominantly residential area with an affordable housing stock and good quality of life. It is close enough to amenities such as highways, grocery stores, barber shops, and pharmacies but lacks the hustle and bustle of a more urban area. The estimated number of households in 2007 shows a slight decrease to 870 households while 2012 projections anticipate further decline to 858 households, a 3.6% decrease from 20001. 1
2007 estimates and 2012 projections for number of households and housing units were provided by DemographicsNOW, Inc.
Chapter 5 Housing Profile and Plan - 1 November 2009