WARMINSTER TOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - E-Library

Population and HousinrrPopulationA municipal comprehensive plan is prepared primarily to anticipate and plan for the future growth ofthat municipality. Growth is defined as the increase in population, the number of dwelling units, andnonresidential development that occurs in a municipality. To plan for growth, Chalfont Borough musthave an estimate of the amount of growth that has occurred in the past and what is likely to occur for agiven time period. Therefore, this section includes past trends as well as projections of the probablepopulation and housing increases using the Bucks County Planning Commission’s estimates.Demographic information of adjacent municipalities have also been included to evaluate thesurrounding pressures of growth and the impact they may have on Chalfont Borough. Bucks Countystatistics are also included to provide a comparison on a regional basis.Population TrendsPopulation growth is an important consideration in updating the comprehensive plan. With a study ofrecent population growth and a basic understanding of the elements of population change, reasonableprojections for the foreseeable future can be developed. The analysis of demographic changes providesan understanding of past trends in the borough and provides the mechanisms for developing variousgrowth management alternatives. The population analysis provided is an attempt to determine thepresent and future population characteristics of Chalfont Borough and its relationship to surroundingmunicipalities.In the SO-year period since Chalfont’s incorporation in 1910, the population increased by 2,766people. The components of population change used to determine growth rates include natural increaseand migration. Between 19SO and 1990 there were 459 births and 275 deaths in Chalfont. Thisresulted in a natural increase of 1S1 people. The net migration equals S6 persons-the populationchange between 19SO and 1990 (267 people) minus the natural increase.’ For Chalfont, 32.2 percent ofthe population increase was due to net migration. According to the 1990 Census, approximately half ofthe new residents were from other areas in Bucks County (47 percent), and one quarter of these newresidents moved in from other areas of Pennsylvania (25 percent).The balance came from other states(22.3 percent) and Philadelphia (5 percent).From 19SO to 1990, Chalfont’s rate of growth (9.5 percent) was higher than New Britain andDoylestown boroughs, which lost population during this period but lower than the surroundingtownships. These townships grew at a rate which exceeded 12 percent. New Britain Township grewby almost 25 percent.The county’s population growth rate was 12.9 percent between 1980 and 1990. With the exception ofDoylestown and New Britain boroughs, the surrounding municipalities in central Bucks are growing ata faster pace than the county as a whole. Tables. 1 and 2 on the next page shows the population trendfor Chalfont Borough over the past GO years and compares Chalfont’s population chanze to areamunicipalities.’ U.S. Bureau of the Census (Population figures), Pennsylvania Statc Dcpartrncnt of Health (Birth and DcathStatistics).Chalfont Borough Comprehensive Plan Update Draft 9