January 25, 2005

TO: Williamsburg Regional Library Strategic Plan Committee

FROM: Genevieve Owens

SUBJECT: Demographic Information

I am attaching some statistics for your review. I have listed highlights from them below. Please let me know if you would like any additional information.

Population

• The libraryπs service population is growing at a brisk pace (27 percent increase 1990-2000). Most of this growth is occurring in James City County.
• The population age 65 and over is experiencing the greatest rate of growth (73 percent increase 1990-2000). Still, the population from birth to age 19 was 5,800 persons larger than those 65 and over.
• The proportion of blacks in the community is dropping even more than predicted just prior to the 2000 Census. Blacks now comprise 15 percent of the population.
• The number of Hispanic persons doubled between 1990 and 2000. Despite this increase, Hispanics still comprise only 2 percent of the population.
• 466 people (0.78 percent) in James City County and Williamsburg have limited English abilities.
• In 2000, over 40 percent of residents in James City County and Williamsburg had a Bachelorπs degree or higher. During this same year, students enrolled in college made up 45 percent of the Cityπs population.

Income and Poverty

• In 1999, James City Countyπs median household income was 19 percent higher than Virginiaπs. Median household income in the City of Williamsburg, however, was 21 percent lower than Virginiaπs.
• Between 1995 and 1999, the percentage of persons below poverty in both the County and the City fell. Still, this percentage hovered in the mid single digits in the County and around the 20 percent mark in the City.

Transportation

∑ The majority of County and City residents travel to work in private vehicles. Mean travel time to work increased between 1990 and 2000 in both jurisdictions. This trend affects residentsπ ability to spend time at the library.

• From 1980-2000, a steady percentage of housing units have been without a vehicle. In combination with the lack of public transportation, this pattern affects residentsπ ability to visit the libraryπs buildings.

Housing

• Housing prices in the area are escalating. Between 2001-2004, the income needed to afford fair-market rent for a two-bedroom apartment increased by 34 percent. During the same period, median home sales prices in the area increased by 37 percent.
• These trends affect the libraryπs ability to attract and retain staff members.

WRL Service Population, 1980-2000
	1980	1990	2000
James City County	22,339	34,970	48,102
Williamsburg	10,294	11,409	11,998
Upper York County	8,602	8,593	9,663
Total	41,235	54,972	69,763

JCCW Population Age Distribution, 1970-2000
	1970		1980		1990		2000
Age 0-19	9,735	36%	9,939	30%	12,550	27%	15,264	25%
Age 20-64	15,251	56%	19,758	60%	28,682	61%	35,335	59%
Age 65+	2,233	8%	3,202	10%	5,496	12%	9,501	16%
Total	27,219		32,899		46,728		60,100

JCCW School Age And Elderly Population Increases, 1970-2000
	1970-1980	1980-1990	1990-2000
Age 0-19	2%	26%	22%
Age 65+	43%	72%	73%

JCCW Population Racial Distribution
	1970		1980		1990		2000
White	19,663	72%	25,051	76%	37,556	80%	49,700	83%
Black	7,441	27%	7,464	23%	8,286	18%	8,835	15%
Other	115	0%	384	1%	886	2%	1,565	2%
Total	27,219		32,899		46,728		60,100
Hispanic	0	0%	336	1%	535	1%	1,118	2%

JCCW Population with Limited English, 2000
	Total Population	Limited English	Percentage
James City County	48,102	338	0.70%
Williamsburg	11,998	128	1.07%
TOTAL	60,100	466	0.78%

JCCW Educational Attainment
	1990	2000
% 25+ Bachelorπs Degree Or HigherãJames City County	32.9%	41.5%
% 25+ Bachelors Degree Or HigherãWilliamsburg	42.9%	45.0%
% 25+ Bachelors Degree Or HigherãVirginia	24.5%	29.5%

JCCW Population Enrolled In College, 2000
		Percent Of Total Population
James City County	2,277	5%
Williamsburg	5,403	45%
Total	7,680	13%

JCCW Transportation Characteristics Of Workers 16 And Over
	James City County 1990	James City County 2000	Williamsburg 1990	Williamsburg 2000
Private Vehicle	16,499	20,171	3,054	3,227
Drive Alone	13,761	17,968	2,602	2,824
Carpool	2,738	2,203	452	403
Public Transportation	164	186	88	64
Walked Only	297	300	1,282	639
Other Means	198	227	229	137
Worked At Home	534	1,038	241	172
Mean Travel Time To Work (Minutes)	21.0	24.6	12.0	18.0

JCCW Housing Units With No Vehicles Available
	1980 Housing Units With No Vehicles Available		1990 Housing Units With No Vehicles Available		2000 Housing Units With No Vehicles Available
James City County	559	7%	523	4%	947	5%
Williamsburg	301	11%	360