Many key matters were carefully considered as part of background studies and background maps, including the existing recreation programs, existing land uses in the Township, expected development patterns, existing recreation facilities and the natural features of the Township.
Two matters are summarized in this part of the report- 1) Population and Housing and 2) Recreation Expenses.
THE PEOPLE AND HOUSING OF PALMER
The population characteristics of the Township are important to understand in order to understand the demand for recreation. The demand for different types of recreation varies greatly by gender, income, age, education and physical mobility. For instance, higher income persons are more able to afford commercial recreation, instead of having to depend upon lower cost public recreation.
The following summarizes the most relevant 2000 information that is available from the US Census.
Total Population and Growth - The following table shows the population increases in Palmer Township over the last four decades.
Total Population
Palmer Township
1950 - 2000
Year |
Population Increase |
Numeric Increase |
1950 |
4086 |
- |
1960 |
8823 |
4737 |
1970 |
12684 |
3861 |
1980 |
13926 |
1242 |
1990 |
14965 |
1039 |
2000 |
16809 |
1852 |
Source - U.S. Census
Households - In 2000, the Township included 6,865 households. Of these households, 4,893 were considered to be "families" - meaning that they included two or more persons who were related. Of these families, 4,262 included a married couple living together. Of the non-family households, 1,583 included one person living by themselves. Of these single-person households, 872 included one person age 65 or older. An additional 213 persons in 1990 lived in some type of institution within the Township, which mainly includes the Manor Care Nursing Home.
Persons Per Household – In 2000, an average of 2.46 persons were in each household. This was a reduction from 1990; and results from young people delaying marriage, mothers having children without being married, increases in divorces and separations, families having fewer children on the average and more persons living longer.
Ages of Residents - The following table shows the distribution of the residents of Palmer Township by their ages in 2000. Compared to the entire State, Palmer had:
Between 1990 and 2000, Palmer Township experienced a decrease in the number of senior citizens. The number of persons age 65 to 74 decreased from 1,791 to 1,737 a 3 percent decrease. The number of persons age 75 and over increased from 1,108 to 1,721 a 55 percent increase. This increase can likely be attributed to persons who bought houses built during the Township's growth periods in the 1950s and 1960s when the persons were in their 30s and 40s and who have remained in the same home. Also, these senior citizen statistics are affected by the presence of the Manor Care Nursing Home.
2000 Age Distribution in Palmer Township
Age |
Number |
Percent |
Pennsylvania % of Total |
Under 5 |
922 |
5.5 |
5.9 |
5-15 |
2057 |
12.2 |
13.8 |
16-20 |
916 |
5.5 |
6.9 |
21-44 |
5151 |
30.6 |
34.6 |
45-54 |
2522 |
15.0 |
13.9 |
55-64 |
1734 |
10.3 |
9.2 |
65-74 |
1737 |
10.3 |
7.9 |
75 and over |
1721 |
10.2 |
7.7 |
Source - U.S. Census
Recreation Planning Areas - The Township was divided into three "Recreation Planning Areas." These areas are generally based upon the "tracts" used by the U.S. Census, and upon the existence of major roads that provide barriers for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. These Planning Areas are:
Senior Citizens in the Year 2010 - The following table shows the dramatic increase in senior citizens that is expected in Northampton County in the next 10 years, especially among persons aged 75 and over. Approximately two-thirds of persons over 75 are expected to be women. This is part of a national trend that is expected to continue even more between the year 2010 and 2020.
Population Aged 65 and Over in Northampton County
Age Group |
Population in 2000 |
Population Projection 2010 |
Percent Change |
65 to 74 |
20825 |
22699 |
9 |
75 and over |
21205 |
23113 |
9 |
Total |
42030 |
45812 |
9 |
Race - In 2000, Palmer Township included 360 Afro-American persons and 393 persons of Hispanic origin. Please note t
Housing - In 2000, Palmer included 6,865 housing units. The Census reported that 76.6 percent of these (5,262) were single family detached houses other than mobile homes. The vacancy rate in 2000 was a very low 2.2 percent. A very high 86.2 percent of all occupied housing units in 2000 were occupied by their owner, and 13.8 percent were occupied by renters.
