Demographics and Socio-Economic Data

The standard source for measuring demographic characteristics is the U. S. Census and the comprehensive data sets they produce every 10 years. These data sets are updated with estimates throughout the years by the Census Bureau and other public and private research and data agencies for states and cities. Current data, however, for a small area such as the South Nicholasville Road Small Area Plan is only available at the time of each decennial Census. While some of the data may have changed since the official report in 2000, local research and public input indicate the characteristics are similar.

The 2000 Census reported the Plan area and ½mile buffer contained 7,305 people within approximately 3.2 square miles. The median age was 32.3, which was younger than the median age for Fayette County at 33.1. As compared to Fayette County, the study area had a much lower percentage of the population age 65 and over. It was also less diverse racially than Fayette County and included a slightly higher percentage of females. A higher percentage of the people in the study area lived in family households, with a higher percentage of married-couple households at 57 percent while the county had 43 percent. Following along the married-couple statistics, the study area had less children living in single parent families. The average number of people per household in the study area at 2.55 was higher than the county’s average at 2.29. The group quarters population made up a much smaller proportion of the population than Fayette County’s, with group quarters residents living in nursing homes and a very small percentage living in a non-institutional setting.

seven percent. The percentage of owneroccupied units was much higher in the study area (68 percent) than the county’s (55 percent). Additional housing has been built on the west side of the railroad tracks south of Man o’ War Boulevard, which adds population to this area. This study area experienced greater population growth between 1990 and 2000 than Fayette County in general. Fayette County had 16 percent increase in population from 1990 to 2000 while the study area increased 29 percent.

When looking at socio-economic characteristics of the study area, there were more high school graduates, a higher percentage of college graduates, and lower unemployment compared to Fayette County. In comparison to county data, this study area had a higher average income, a higher proportion of single-family detached homes, and more of the home owners paid less than 30 percent of their income for their homes. The ages of the homes in the study area were widely dispersed with the highest percentage being built between 1970-1979, with most of the housing stock being slightly younger than the houses in Fayette County overall. A higher percentage of the homes were heated with electricity.

More of the workers in the study area drove to work and less bicycled or walked compared to Fayette County’s workers. This area had a higher percentage of elementary and high school students, but a lower percentage of students enrolled in college. This area had a lower percentage of the 16 and over population that were disabled but slightly higher for the disabled population 65 and older.

Of 2,995 housing units within the study area at the time of the 2000 Census, 97 percent were occupied with a vacancy rate of three percent. Fayette County as a whole had a vacancy rate of

The 2000 Census data and subsequent residential building permits indicate there has been population growth in the study area. The housing data show that adding residential properties that are conducive to renting would bring the tenure proportions closer to those in Fayette County. Providing work places in the Plan area could increase the number of workers living in this area that could walk or bike to work, or drive a shorter distance. With the higher educational attainment of the population living in this study area, future non-residential uses should include offices for places of professional employment. The 2010 Census could reveal that up to a third of the population of this area is between ages 45 to 64, a cohort that may very well seek housing that is smaller and easier to maintain.