Age, ancestry and living arrangements of residents in the Fargo-Moorhead area shifted drastically from 2000 to 2008, as did factors including poverty levels, obesity and binge drinking.
According to a report by the North Dakota State Data Center, changing population demographics in Cass and Clay counties will be strong indicators of needed policy adjustments in the future.
Some highlights of the report, which was presented to the Clay County Commission on Tuesday, include:
- Making up about 6 percent of both the male female populations, 20- to 24-year-olds are the largest age group in the area.
- The 85 and older population increased by 32 percent from 2000 to 2008, the largest increase of any age group.
- Of people receiving legal residence in the F-M area from 2005 to 2009, the percentage of Europeans decreased from 37 percent to 10 percent. Among the same group, the percentage of Africans increased from 18 percent to 48 percent.
- Households of non-family members increased more than any other type of living arrangement since 2000.
Dr. Richard Rathge, the Data Center’s director, said the amount of 20-somethings in Fargo-Moorhead is “extremely important to the area’s vitality.”
One-third of the area’s workforce is under age 30, a welcome sign since towns outside of the metropolitan area are concerned with filling open positions as large percentages of their workforce retire. Rathge said only 15 percent of the F-M workforce is above age 55.
On the other end of the spectrum, the large increase in the 85-plus age group will bring its own set of issues, Rathge said.
“That’s something we’ll need to be aware of as we move forward,” he said. “Age will have a significant consequence on policy.”
A flux of immigrants to the region has also brought more diversity in ancestral backgrounds over the past five years.
In North Dakota, Canada moved out of the top spot for the number of immigrants obtaining legal residence. That now belongs to Somalia, followed by Kenya and then Canada.
Perhaps the most surprising population changes have been in living arrangements, Rathge said.
Because 77 percent of non-family households consist of one person, Rathge said this population shift and a general decrease in the number of people per household has greatly contributed to the increased building of housing in the area.
There’s also been an increase in children living with a single parent, a trend that’s reflected in some of the social indicators the Data Center compiled. Among these are area poverty rates.
While poverty has generally decreased since the 1970s, Rathge said by looking only at the overall poverty level, officials fail to consider people “who we need to assist” in specific areas where poverty has increased.
Area minority groups continue to experience a high level of poverty, but one of the largest increases in poverty since 2000 came among single mothers with children under 18, regardless of ethnic background. At a 37 percent poverty rate, single mothers are on par with the Data Center’s categories of “Black,” “American Indian” and “Hispanic Origin” for the highest poverty rates in the area.
The Data Center report also explored behavioral and health risks, including obesity and binge drinking, and Rathge discussed initiatives currently at work to combat those issues.
“We need to address the root of the problem in order to effectively address the consequence of that problem,” Rathge said.
Commissioner Jon Evert said the report will be a strong aid in pinpointing issues that will need to be addressed in the future.
“I think you’ve shown us that some of those non-mandatory things that might get cut (from the budget) are the most important,” Evert said after the presentation.
By: Emily Hartley, INFORUM
Readers can reach Forum reporter Emily Hartley at (701) 235-7311
Tags: demographics, fargo, fccnetwork, moorhead, news, north dakota, poverty, seniors
