City of Pontiac Parks and Recreation Master Plan

ately adjacent to Crystal Lake (Census Tract
1425).
Median Age
Knowledge of a community’s age distribution
plays a crucial role in the planning of
recreation facilities and programs. As mentioned
earlier, whether an area is comprised
of older or younger citizens will greatly influence
such things as the facilities that are
most desired within parks. The Median Age
map shows the median age for the census
tracts within the City.
The map shows a clear geographic distinction
between the northern portion of the
City, which is relatively young, and the
southern portion of the City, which is relatively
old. The three oldest census tracts in
terms of median age are found in the southwestern
corner of the City (Census Tracts
1425, 1426 and 1427), while the next five
oldest census tracts are in the southern and
southeastern portions of the City (Census
Tracts 1420, 1421, 1422, 1423 and 1424).
The youngest census tracts in terms of
median age are found just northwest of
downtown (Census Tract 1417) and in the
northeast corner of the City (Census Tracts
1410 and 1415).
Consistent with the age characteristics of
the different sections of the City, the City
may want to consider providing recreation
facilities that serve a younger or older population
as necessary.
Household Size
A household, as defined by the US Census,
is all persons who occupy the same housing
unit. A housing unit can be described as a
house, apartment, mobile home, a group of
rooms, or a single room used as a separate
living quarters.
A trend occurring nationwide and characteristic
of today’s population is the declining
size of households. There are several factors
that demographers have linked to the
declining size. People are marrying later,
postponing having children, and having
fewer children. Nation-wide, married couple
families still comprise the largest and economically
most powerful household. However,
the number of single parent households
is increasing, thus contributing to the
decline in average household size.
Household size is an important factor when
making recreation facility and program
decisions. A high person per household
figure can be an indication that an area
is comprised of families with children and
thus could justify family or youth oriented
recreation facilities. Conversely, an area
with a low person per household figure may
require recreation facilities more favorable
to singles, adults or the elderly.
The Household Size map illustrates the average
household size by census tract within
the City of Pontiac. Again, a clear geographic
distinction is found between certain areas
of the City.
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