The U.S. Census Bureau released data in early August to help states impacted by the ebb and flow of population shifts over the past decade begin redistricting efforts. It’s always interesting to see how the country’s population has shifted over a 10-year period, but the more information I saw, the more I found myself thinking about the various strategic plans developed at transit agencies and municipalities throughout the U.S.
Another area of the country that seems to be at the heart of the subject is Central Florida. LYNX, the topic of this issue’s cover story, has a service area that covers three counties. Two of those counties are in the Census Bureau’s top 10 list: Osceola County for being the tenth fastest growing county based on percent change from 2010 and 2020 and Orange County for seeing the seventh largest numeric change in population from 2010 to 2020.
LYNX has conducted several studies over the years focused on transit enhancements along key corridors to improve mobility within its service area and, with local university economists estimating Central Florida’s growth will continue, those plans to enhance service now come with additional urgency.
The Census Bureau says 86 percent of the U.S. population lives in metro areas and it doesn’t take an expert to understand increased population density and masses of single occupancy cars do not make a great mix. As more of us live closer together, it may be time to revisit some of those long-term plans and move to make them reality.
