And the area is definitely experiencing a gray boom.
Between 2000 and 2010, the 62-and-older population in Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville spiked by 139 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That far outpaced the overall 87 percent population growth for the three towns.
Northern Mecklenburg’s senior population also grew faster than that of the entire Charlotte metro area, whose growth in 65-and-older residents was the 10th fastest in the nation, according to data assembled by the Washington, D.C.-based Urban Land Institute
“I think we are very fortunate to have so many aging residents in our communities,” says Jason Abernethy, senior planner with the Town of Cornelius. “The assets that they provide a community are just as great as any additional cost that may be needed” to accommodate them.
Northern Mecklenburg seniors mirror the area’s general population in terms of being more highly educated and more affluent than their peers nationwide, which also means they tend to be more physically fit and socially active than seniors elsewhere.
“Older adults here really want many of the same amenities and services as a younger population,” Abernethy says. “They are very active and look for cultural and recreational opportunities.”
National experts agree, and cite the Lake Norman area’s access to Charlotte’s big-city sports and entertainment — as well as to high-quality health care — as powerful draws for seniors who choose to live in Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville.
“Retirees usually look to relocate to amenity-related areas,” says James Johnson Jr., one of the nation’s leading demographers and a professor at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. “And you have a pretty nice area there.”
Seniors add a unique dynamic, one that alters the kinds and levels of service a community must provide. “It will be important to continue to encourage future medical uses within our community to ensure that our residents have convenient access to health care,” Abernethy says. “There can be other obvious demands on our public safety departments as well.”
But, Abernethy adds, older citizens tend to bring more to a community than they take out of it.
“The older population (is) typically very active in the community,” Abernethy says. “Many may be recent empty nesters or early retirees who now have time on their hands. We have had many of these folks who have played vital roles in all aspects of our community.”
Seniors are more likely to volunteer their time to community organizations, and they each bring a lifetime’s worth of experience and wisdom to those roles.
“All pluses,” says Zac Gordon, principal planner with the Town of Huntersville, when asked about the impact of seniors.
And where will seniors live as the population continues to grow?
“I think it is likely that future growth will tend to be centered in multi-family housing developments,” Gordon says, “including the transit station area and near commercial and medical services (including) Rosedale, Birkdale Village and Northcross.”
And what will those seniors be looking for from their communities?
“Services such as recreation programming,” Gordon says, along with “better transportation, sidewalks and likely a senior center of some type.”
