N.C. county's growth outpaces state's, still losing students

ELIZABETH CITY

A combination of new babies, new college students, new retirees and more inmates padded Pasquotank County's population this decade.

Meanwhile, the local student population has fallen, easing the urgency for a new elementary school, according to the latest numbers, released by the county last week.

When the general population climbs and student numbers decline, that typically means more retirees are moving to the area. But in Pasquotank County, other factors are also at work.

"I don't think retirees are the driving force," said Bill Tillman, demographer for the state of North Carolina.

From April 2000 through July 2007, Pasquotank County's population grew to 40,880 from 34,897, a 17.1 percent increase, while public school student numbers dropped by 93 to 6,109, according to figures from the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management.

Statewide, the population grew by 12.7 percent.

During the same years, Pasquotank's 65-and-older population grew by an estimated 713, from 4,911 in 2000 to 5,624 in 2007, a 14.5 percent increase.

Elizabeth City State University's dormitory population grew to 1,597 from 955, Tillman said, a 67 percent increase.

The university built two new dormitories in 2004, Viking Village, which houses 344, and University Suites, with 200 students, spokeswoman Sherri Belfield said. New majors in social work, aviation and pharmacy have attracted more students, she said.

Counted as part of the local population, inmate numbers at the Pasquotank Correctional Institution grew to 934 from 812, a 15 percent increase, Tillman said.

Natural growth, the difference between births and deaths in Pasquotank, accounted for an extra 1,074 people, census figures show.

Pasquotank County vehicle registrations grew to 30,940 from 23,954, a 29 percent increase in the seven-year census period. Vehicle registrations are a strong indicator of population numbers for age s 18 to 65, Tillman said.

Pasquotank County student numbers fell this year but have remained steady over the past four years, averaging 6,162, Tillman said. Numbers grew more rapidly earlier in the decade during a housing boom, and officials expected to build an elementary school soon.

But plans for school construction are on hold, said Pasquotank County Manager Randy Keaton.

The population of residents 65 and older grew by more than a third in Currituck and Camden counties, according to Tillman's figures.

Tillman cited figures derived from research by his office beyond those typically released to local governments. The Office of State Budget and Management provides population estimates used to distribute state shared revenues, among other purposes.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com