Complete Regional Transportation Plan 2012 - Cape Cod ...

TABLE 8 - NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS AND HOUSEHOLD SIZE FOR CAPE COD AND TOWNSTotalHouseholds2000Avg.HouseholdSize2000% Changefrom 1990Changefrom 1990United States 105,480,101 14.7% 2.59 -0.04Massachusetts 2,443,580 8.7% 2.51 -0.07Cape Cod 94,822 22.2% 2.28 -0.07Barnstable 19,626 18.2% 2.38 -0.02Bourne 7,439 26.1% 2.39 -0.21Brewster 4,124 21.9% 2.34 -0.08Chatham 3,160 4.5% 2.00 -0.10Dennis 7,504 21.1% 2.11 -0.11Eastham 2,396 25.6% 2.24 -0.10Falmouth 13,859 22.9% 2.30 -0.12Harwich 5,471 21.4% 2.20 -0.07Mashpee 5,256 66.4% 2.91 No changeOrleans 3,087 13.4% 2.00 -0.09Provincetown 1,837 -5.4% 1.69 -0.11Sandwich 7,335 32.0% 2.72 -0.02Truro 907 29.8% 2.18 -0.07Wellfleet 1,301 15.2% 2.11 -0.10Yarmouth 11,520 20.1% 2.68 -0.01(Source: U.S. Census)Age is an important demographic factor to be considered on Cape Cod. Between 1950and 2000, the percentage of Cape Cod residents over 65 years of age almost doubled,from 12.1% to 23.1%. Between 1990 and 2000, the over 65 population on Cape Cod grewfrom 22.0% to 23.1%. By contrast, the over 65 population of the Commonwealth grew asa proportion to the overall population, from 10% to 13.5% (Figure 3). According to theCensus, Barnstable County ranked 126 th out of 3,141 counties nationally in terms ofpercent of population over the age of 65. At the time of the 2000 Census, the totalnumber of residents on Cape Cod over 65 was 51,265, of which 57% are women. Thismeans that the regional transportation system must consider the needs of the elderly to agreater extent than other local counties. Elderly residents generally have reduced vision,increased response time, and reduced mobility compared to the overall population.These concerns must be addressed in order to ensure safety and accessibility.Of the Commonwealth’s towns with the highest percentage of residents 65 and over in2000, eight of the top ten towns were located in Cape Cod. Orleans led theChapter 1: Goals & Objectives Cape Cod Regional Transportation Plan | August 2011Page 32