Politics & Government
Homeowner, Rental Vacancies Up in Township
Median age fell by over three years since 2000, new census data shows.
Chatham Township saw an increase in vacant housing and rental units over the last 10 years, according to the latest data from the 2010 US Census.
Vacant housing units increased from 99 units to 213, an increase of over 115 percent. Vacant housing units increased from 99 units to 213, an increase of over 115 percent. The rate of empty rental units also increased from 3.4 percent to 9.5 percent, an increase of 179.4 percent.
The dynamics of families living in Chatham Township also changed. Over 50 families moved out of the township since 2000, but the number of female-headed households decreased by 18.3 percent (from 230 in 2000 to 188 in 2010), corresponding to a 15.5 decrease in single-parent households led by women with children under 18.
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There are 56 male-led households led by men in Chatham Township, 22 of them with children, according to the 2010 census data. No data is available from 2000 for comparison.
Minors in Chatham Township also increased by 12.1 percent, nearly quadruple the overall population increase of 3.6 percent.
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Former Chatham Township Mayor Kevin Tubbs said the increase in population for people under 18 followed the overall trend of increasing enrollment in Chatham schools. Despite a statewide decreasing trend in school enrollment, the School District of the Chathams has grown significantly, reaching nearly full capacity at several schools.
"We certainly know from the schools and things like the recreation programs that the number of young people has gone up," Tubbs said, something which "also shows the value of projects like Shunpike Field."
The population of most minorities also increased in Chatham Township, with Mexicans and Cubans growing by the greatest percentages (151.9 and 131.8 percent, respectively). The number of Filipinos living in Chatham Township increased from 20 to 44, an increase of 120 percent,
Demographic profile of Chatham Township
New details about population and housing from the 2010 Census, released on Thursday. The data is compared with 2000 Census data when available. The change over the decade is given as well.
Subject 2010 2000 Percent change SEX AND AGETotal population 10,452 10,086 3.6 Median age (years) 43.3 40.1 8.0 Under 18 3,021 2,694 12.1 18 years and over 7,431 7,392 0.5 65 years and over 1,582 1,366 15.8 Male population 4,926 4,803 2.6 Female population 5,526 5,283 4.6 RACE
White 9,495 9,452 0.5 Black or African American 78 45 73.3 American Indian and Alaska Native 8 6 33.3 Asian 665 485 37.1 Asian Indian 216 131 64.9 Chinese 248 209 18.7 Filipino 44 20 120.0 Japanese 17 38 -55.3 Korean 76 66 15.2 Vietnamese 2 4 -50.0 Other Asian 62 17 264.7 Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 1 1 0.0 Some Other Race 40 15 166.7 Two or More Races 165 82 101.2 HISPANIC OR LATINO
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 349 197 77.2 Mexican 68 27 151.9 Puerto Rican 48 26 84.6 Cuban 51 22 131.8 Other Hispanic or Latino 182 122 49.2 HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE
Total households 3,915 3,920 -0.1 Family households (families) 2,720 2,772 -1.9 With own children under 18 years 1,469 1,361 7.9 Husband-wife family 2,476 2,487 -0.4 With own children under 18 years 1,360 1,246 9.1 Male householder, no wife present 56 NA
With own children under 18 years 22 NA
Female householder, no husband present 188 230 -18.3 With own children under 18 years 87 103 -15.5 Nonfamily households 1,195 1,148 4.1 Householder living alone 1,062 1,030 3.1 Male 334 NA
Female 728 NA
Householder 65 and older 464 342 35.7 Households with individuals under 18 years 1,485 1,380 7.6 Households with individuals 65 years and over 1,086 922 17.8 Average household size 2.6 2.5 3.9 Average family size 3.3 3.1 5.8 HOUSING OCCUPANCY
Total housing units 4,128 4,019 2.7 Occupied housing units 3,915 3,920 -0.1 Vacant housing units 213 99 115.2 For rent 75 NA
Rented, not occupied 4 NA
For sale only 41 NA
Sold, not occupied 13 NA
For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use 55 35 57.1 All other vacants 25 NA
Homeowner vacancy rate (percent) 1.3 0.5 160.0 Rental vacancy rate (percent) 9.5 3.4 179.4 Source: U.S. Census Bureau. NA means the data was not available. Compiled by Colleen O'Dea.
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