Pender County Comprehensive Land Use Plan Median Age Median age is expected to increase for all eight counties and for the State through the year 2030 (Table B-8 and Graph G-5). This follows a national trend related to the aging of the ―baby boom‖ segment of the population. The median age for Pender County will remain above that of most of the counties (Brunswick County being the only exception) within the region and the State. Planning Implication As median age of the population continues to increase over the next thirty years, this segment of the County’s population will demand specialized services to meet retirement needs including independent and assisted facilities, high quality health care, and both passive and active recreational opportunities.
Table B-8: Comparison of Historical and Projected Median Age - 1990-2030 Pender County and Selected Counties in the Region
Current
Median Age in Years Projected 2010 2020
County
1990
2000
Bladen County
35.0
37.9
39.6
41.7
42.3
Brunswick County
37.2
42.2
45.7
47.1
47.5
Columbus County
34.4
36.9
39.1
40.9
42.1
Duplin County
34.4
34.9
35.5
36.1
36.3
New Hanover County
33.9
36.3
38.4
40.0
41.1
Onslow County
24.6
25.0
24.3
25.0
25.0
Pender County
35.9
38.8
41.4
43.0
44.0
Sampson County
34.9
35.0
35.7
36.5
36.7
North Carolina
33.2
35.3
36.7
37.2
37.8
Source: NC State Data Center (http://sdc.state.nc.us
Appendix B: 19
2030