Census data shows slow but steady growth

Twin Beaches add 14 people

Friday, July 3, 2009

Chesapeake Beach's population grew by 11 people in 2008, while North Beach added three, according to the bureau. Estimates for both towns were the same in 2007. The bureau did not release data on any other Calvert areas.

In St. Mary's County, Leonardtown increased by 98 people. In Charles County, Indian Head gained 22 people while La Plata showed the largest increase in Southern Maryland with 319 new people.

While the current economic climate might contribute to the seemingly low numbers, Danita Boonchaisri, marketing and communications specialist for Calvert County, believes that after so many years of being one of the Maryland's fastest growing counties, Calvert might be running out of space.

"There's only so many places left with developable land on it, and that includes public facilities as well," Boonchaisri said. "Part of the smart growth plan is making sure our services can match the people coming in. No area wants to grow beyond its capacity to care for its citizens."

From 1990 to 2000, the county grew from 51,372 to 74,563 people, a 45 percent increase, according to census data.

Official data won't be available until the 2010 census, but the Calvert County Department of Economic Development estimates that the county's population will be 90,700 in 2010, an increase since 2000 of about 19 percent.

From 2010 to 2020, the county expects the population to increase only 5 percent to 96,000 people.

The decreased growth is all according to plan, said Greg Bowen, the county's director of planning and zoning.

"We were the fastest growing county in the state from 1990 until about 2002," he said. "We grew 4.5 percent per year in the 1990s and the 1997 comprehensive plan said look at ways to control the growth rate and residential buildup for the county."

Zoning density was cut and adequate public facilities standards were increased. By 2002, the growth rate had fallen to 3.9 percent. Last year, it fell to 1.9 percent on par with the rest of the state.

"It's a healthy growth rate," Bowen said.

jnewman@somdnews.com