Peak Oil Task Force Report - City of Bloomington - State of Indiana

Population growth and shifting demographics
The population of Bloomington might grow or change as a result of peak oil. As is discussed
in the Transportation chapter, Monroe County is a net importer of workers – almost 19
percent of the workforce comes to Monroe County from surrounding counties to work.
These commuters might move to Bloomington in order to avoid or reduce the cost of daily
commuting. On the flip side, people who currently live in Bloomington but work elsewhere
(about 7 percent) might move away for the same reason.
Economic hardship could cause an increase in enrollment at Indiana University if residents
lose their jobs and elect to return to school. On the other hand, hardship might instead
mean declining enrollments at IU if parents and students are unable to afford tuition. If
enrollment declines, the number of students living in the city might decline, resulting in a
change in the mix of temporary to permanent residents in the city. Businesses catering
particularly to the student population could be adversely affected.
Changes in population size and mix could have unanticipated effects on housing demand.
Housing demand might be reduced if economic adversity causes a reduction in the number
of individual households, as people formerly living apart (such as adult children living
apart from their parents) move in together in an attempt to save money.
Report of the Bloomington Peak Oil Task Force
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