POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS

 

PERMANENT POPULATION

 

The primary source of information for Forest Home Township is the U.S. Census of Population and Housing which is taken every ten years. An overview of the significant and relevant information follows. The census only contains population data for those persons who claim Forest Home Township as their primary residence. The seasonal residents are not reflected in this count. Seasonal population can and does have a considerable influence upon the population level of the townships in northern Michigan, especially during the summer months for townships having large amounts of lake frontage like Forest Home Township.

 

The population of Forest Home Township has increased from 834 persons in 1980 to a :1990 population of 927 persons, an 11.1% increase. During the same period of time, the population of Antrim County increased from 16,194 to 18,185, a 12.9% population increase.

The township population from 1960 to 1990 has more than doubled, while the county population increased by 75%. Forest Home Township has exhibited an increase of year round residents every decade but the upward trend in actual numbers of people and the percentage increase appears to be leveling off.

 

The population of Forest Home Township has increased in the past and may continue to increase into the future, although trends indicate the rate of growth is slowing. A slight upward increase in percentage rate gain between 1990 and the year 2000 (11%) is expected. After the year 2000, we expect the percentage increase rate to drop into the 8 to 9% increase per decade range. A population of 1050 persons in the year 2000 with a gain of 100 persons between the year 2000 and 2010 for a total of 1150 and an additional increase of 100 persons for a total of 1250 persons residing year round in Forest Home Township in year 2020 is forecasted. Again, seasonal population will have a major impact upon the peak number of persons in the community during certain times of the year.

 

A projected increase in the permanent population between 1990 and 2000 may be impacted in part by "Proposal A", a change in school financing. Permanent residents receive a reduction in property taxes used for funding schools. Northern Michigan lake frontage has a higher value than many down state residential properties. Some downstate residents are classifying their most expensive residential property as their year round place of residence, even though they may spend more time downstate or at out of state locations. About 50 of the additional residents who will be counted in the 2000 Census may be individuals changing their reported normal place of residence to their seasonal residence to take advantage of the reduction in property taxes. This expectation of change in classification of permanent residence is based upon the desire of the typical property owner to reduce property taxes and is further supported by conversations with township supervisors, assessors, equalization department staffs throughout northern Michigan. This change may show up in the voter registration rolls as well, but in all reality, the place of residence will change for a few individuals.

 

The resulting increase in population should have a positive impact upon revenues received from the state and federal levels as many funds provided to local units of government are based upon population information from the US Census of Population.

 

In addition to the increasing number of people, their ages are increasing as well. The median age of the township resident increased from 36.7 years of age in 1980 to 40.4 years of age in 1990, as opposed to 32.4 and 36.8 years of age for the same period for Antrim County.

The number of persons per household has declined statewide as well as in Forest Home Township. The average Forest Home Township household had 2.7 people in 1980 and only 2.5 in 1990. Average family size is a slightly different concept. The average family size statewide is 3.2 people, and the average family size in Forest Home Township is 3.3 people.

 

While the family and household sizes are decreasing, the population is increasing which results in increasing density for the township as a whole. Much of this increase is occurring in the more rural portions of the township than adjacent to the Village of Bellaire.

 

DENSITY (persons per square mile)

     Forest     Antrim

   Year           Home       County

1980           35.2         34.0

1990           39.1         38.1

Increase#       3.9          4.1

Increase%      11.0    12.1

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census of Population for the respective years listed.

 

 

SEASONAL POPULATION

 

Seasonal population numbers vary considerably by season and are impacted by the weather during each season. A wet, rainy summer will reduce the amount of time second home owners will spend in Forest Home Township during the summer. Hot, humid weather for a continued period of time during the summer and fall months will result in people taking advantage of second homes or rental cabins. An early, harsh winter will result in many residents leaving for warmer climates. With the presence of Shanty Creek and Schuss Mountain ski areas, nearby, weekend use of dwellings in Forest Home Township can increase provided the weather is favorable for skiing.

 

The seasonal population numbers are impacted by the housing available to accommodate them. Most of our seasonal population resides in their second homes while a smaller number utilize cabin and other rental accommodations in addition to staying with friends and relatives.

 

Future peak populations are the sum of permanent and seasonal residents staying overnight. The peak population periods occur during the months of July and August.

 

HOUSING

 

The total number of housing units in Forest Home Township increased from 1053 in 1980 to 1245 in 1990, for a 18.2% increase. Of the 1245