Comprehensive development plan

D. Age/Sex Characteristics

Over the past thirty years, Carroll County’s population has grown older. In an on-going trend, females outnumbered males by 380 in 1990 and 413 in 2000. This trend leads to a higher median age for females than for males, which has consistently increased for both sexes since 1970 as shown in Table III-7.

Table III-7
Median Age^1
Carroll County
By Year
1970 - 2000
Year	Males	Females	Total Population
1970	30.7	32.4	31.6
1980	31.7	34.8	33.3
1990	36.0	39.6	37.8
2000	39.2	42.3	40.7
1. U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.

As can be seen in Table III-8 and by comparing the population pyramids from 1990 and 2000, the county experienced growth in practically all age groups. Males continue to outnumber females in the 0 to 19 age brackets, while females continue to outnumber males in the 50 and older age categories. As a percentage of the county’s total population, the youngest age categories (0 to 19) are declining, a fact supported by the negative natural increase in the county beginning in 1995. Since 1980, the 60 and over age brackets have experienced the highest rate of growth. Overall, Carroll County’s population is growing older and in-migration continues to be the most contributing factor to population growth.

Chart III-1

Population Pyramid¹

Carroll County

1990

1. U.S. Census Bureau, 1990 Census.

Chart III-2

Population Pyramid¹

Carroll County

2000

1. U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census.

Table III-8 Population Distribution Carroll County By Age Groups 1980-2000
Age Group	1980		1990		2000
	Number	Percent	Number	Percent	Number	Percent
0-19 20-59 60 and over	8,254 13,914 5,102	30.3% 51.0% 18.7%	6,580 14,258 5,756	24.7% 53.6% 21.6%	6,777 15,914 6,554	23.2% 54.4% 22.4%
Total:	27,270	100%	26,594	100%	29,245	100%
1. US Census Bureau, Decennial Census.