Starke County’s projected population decline continues to draw concerns from local officials.
During last week’s Hamlet Town Council meeting, Ron Gifford with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation presented population projections broken down by various age groups. “The concern we would have if this proves to be true is that in 2050, we would be down in every single age category, except for 65-plus,” he explained. That would mean about 1,300 fewer school-age children, and 2,400 fewer people of working age, according to Gifford.
He pointed out that the county’s population decline appears to be outpacing projections. But he also noted that Starke County is not alone, with most rural counties experiencing similar losses.
Gifford also told the Hamlet Town Council that State Representative Jim Pressel and Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority Executive Director Jacob Sipe will be in Starke County Monday, to discuss housing needs with local officials. He noted that the IHCDA has financing available to help communities. Hamlet officials have recently expressed a desire to bring new housing into town.
