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Town Center Plan
January 2007
Appendix 4
Table 1.
SELECTED DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS,
MORRISVILLE, NC
Factor
Number
Note
Population
1980
251
1990
1,489
493% Growth 1980-1990
2000
5,208
250% Growth 1990-2000
2004
11,915
129% Growth 2000-2004
Foreign Born (00)
737
14.2% Primarily Asian/Indian
BA or Higher (00)
1,960
55.5% Versus 24.4% nationally
Housing (00)
Households
2,476
2.1 Ave Household Size
Housing Units
3,210
69.7% Renter occupied
Vacant Units
734
22.9% New, not yet occupied
Sources:
U.S. Bureau of the Census and Randall Gross /
Development Economics.
The population is also characterized by its youth, with a median age of 30 as compared with 35 nationally.
Only 4.0% of the population was over the age of 65 in 2000, versus 12.4% nationwide. The area is
represented by a large number of young, married couples with small families. The average household
size (2000) was 2.1, versus 2.6 nationally. This may have changed by 2006 as the area matures and the
young couples who move to Morrisville see their families grow.
The area had a high percentage of renters in 2000 (almost 70% renter occupied), mainly because multi-
family units were among the first large housing developments in the town. Singles and young couples
have relocated to Morrisville for their jobs and at first, they tend to live in rental housing until they know
the area and are ready to purchase. Information collected for this planning effort suggests that many of
the renters eventually chose to stay in Morrisville because it is a very attractive location proximate to the
employment base and with very good (Wake County) schools.
In 2000, almost 23% of the town’s 3,200 housing units were vacant. However, this number is indicative
of the rapid housing growth in the town. Since the Census was a “snapshot” during a growth period for
Morrisville, it captured a period when new housing units were built and perhaps pre-sold or pre-leased,
but not yet occupied.