Socio Economic Factors Affecting Development

Population & Employment

Population and employment characteristics greatly affect the future development of a community. Trends must be identified and projections must be made to estimate future land use and transportation needs. The population demographics examined in this element include:

  • Age distribution
  • Historical growth
  • Household size
  • Migration

An understanding of these demographics is important. For example the analysis of age distribution shows that the city’s population is getting older. This would indicate additional facilities for seniors may be needed in the future.

Employment

The employment characteristics studied include employment by:

  • Historical employment
  • Income levels
  • Major employers
  • Major industrial sectors
  • Place of work
  • Poverty rates
  • Unemployment rates

Demographics

The most important demographics for projecting future land use needs are population projections. Population projections prepared by the University of Tennessee Center for Business and Economic Research were utilized in the 2030 Plan. By the year 2020 the City of Cookeville’s population is projected to be 35,675 and by 2030 it is projected to reach approximately 40,000.