Appendix I

Appendix I

Population and Growth Trends
in the
Watauga River Basin
Appendices

Population and Growth Trends

Below are three different ways of presenting population data for the Watauga River basin. The
data for the entire river basin allow for the 2000 population data to be shown across subbasins.
Population data presented by county allow for analysis of projected growth trends in the basin
based on information from the Office of State Planning (May, 2006). Data presented by
municipality summarizes information on past growth of large urban areas in the basin. While the
three different sets of information cannot be directly compared, general conclusions are apparent
by evaluating the information. Counties with the highest expected growth are associated with
the largest municipal areas and the most densely populated subbasins in the basin.

Basin Population and Population Density

Information on population density at a watershed scale is useful in determining what streams are
likely to have the most impacts as a result of population growth. This information is also useful
in identifying stream segments that have good opportunities for preservation or restoration
activities. This information is presented to estimate population and population density by each
subbasin and for the entire basin. It is assumed that county populations are distributed evenly
throughout each county; therefore, subbasins that are within counties with large urban areas may
overestimate the actual population in that portion of the basin. The overall population of the
basin based on 2000 Census data is 23,675, with approximately 115 persons/square mile. (See
the map of hydrologic units and population density.) The overall population and persons/square
mile is estimated based on the percent of the county land area that is partially or entirely within
the basin.

County Population and Growth Trends

The following table shows the projected population for 2020 and the change in growth between
1990 and 2000 for counties that are partially or entirely contained within the basin. Since river
basin boundaries do not coincide with county boundaries, these numbers are not directly
applicable to the Watauga River basin. This information is intended to present an estimate of
expected population growth in counties that have some land area in the Watauga River basin.
For more information on past, current and projected population estimates, contact the Office of
State Planning [phone] or visit their website at http://demog.state.nc.us.

County
Percent of
County in
Basin ♦
County
Population
1990
County
Population
2000
Estimated %
Growth
1990-2000
Estimated
Population
2020
Estimated %
Growth
2000-2020
Avery 26 14,867 17,167 13.4 20,503 16.3
Watauga 45 36,952 42,693 13.4 46,060 7.3
Subtotals 51,819 59,860 13.4 66,563 10.1
Source: North Carolina Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (CGIA), 1997.
Note: The numbers reported reflect county population; however, these counties are not entirely within the basin.
The intent is to demonstrate growth for counties located wholly or partially within the basin.

A-I-1

Municipal Population and Growth Trends

The table below presents population data from Office of State Planning for municipalities
located partially or entirely in the basin. These data represent six municipalities in the basin.

Municipality County April
1980
April
1990
April
2000
Percent Change
(1980-1990)
Percent Change
(1990-2000)
Banner Elk Avery 1,087 933 811 -14.2 -13.1
Beech Mountain Avery, Watauga 190 239 310 25.8 29.7
Boone● Watauga 10,191 12,949 13,472 27.1 4.0
Elk Park Avery 535 486 459 -9.2 -5.6
Seven Devils Avery, Watauga 54 117 129 116.7 10.3
Sugar Mountain Avery 188 132 226 -29.8 71.2
• The numbers reported reflect municipality population; however, these municipalities are not entirely within the basin.
The intent is to demonstrate growth for municipalities located wholly or partially within the basin.
A-I-2
06010103010040
06010103010020
06010103010030
0601010301001006010103020010
Estimated Growth for 2020Avery County 16.3 percentWatauga County 7.3 percent
Planning SectionBasinwide Planning UnitSeptember 28, 2006 0 2 4 6 81Miles
14-Digit Hydrologic Units in the Watauga River Basin and Estimated Population Growth
Legend
Estimated Growth Area
14-Digit Hydrologic Unit