FY 2022 Educational Facilities Master Plan

regulations in 2010, State planning law (Septic Bill in 2012), and development occurring in incorporated jurisdictions with existing sewer. Prior to 2012 there was a trend of increased development towards the west side of the County. However, in 2012 the County started to see equal growth between both sides of Route 13 (see figure 4 on previous page). Much like the East/West divide, the division between Metro and Non- Metro growth was much greater before 2012 (see figure 5 on previous page). During this time the areas outside the core were seeing much higher rates of growth. However, over the past five years the growth between the two zones has become more in line. In 2015, growth within the metro core outpaced the growth of the area outside of the core for the first time in five years. This type of growth is aligned with the ideals of the County Comprehensive Plan. Overall, the data trends indicate that Wicomico County Schools should see little impact from new single family residential homes over the next fiscal year. However, building permits should be monitored to watch for spikes in building permits on plats/ lots that have been previously approved but have sat undeveloped for years. DEMOGRAPHIC INDICATORS Although residential growth slowly continues, the data when compared to our actual enrollments indicates that additional school capacity may only be needed in limited areas. Wicomico also has a varied market of home buyers within a mixture of designated developments. Wicomico County’s total population from the US Census Bureau’s, 2015 – 2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates was 102,539 (county + municipalities). The eastern shore of Maryland is seeing an increase in the 45 to 65+ year old population and some subdivisions have been marketed as 55 and older. Wicomico County’s population was 25,327 (24.7%) for the ages of 45 to 64 (see Figure 6) which is an increase of 2% since 2010 (24,827). The demographic estimates from the 2015 – 2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates was 15,894 for 65 and older which was 15.5% of the total population. It appears that our population is maturing and some of the people relocating to the eastern shore are doing so in retirement.

Figure 6 - Wicomico County Dept. of Planning, Zoning & Community Development

Wicomico County Public Schools Educational Facilities Master Plan FY 2022

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