Rural places such as the greater Ossipee area exhibit a strong relationship between the rate of employment growth and the rate of population growth. Even retirees are affected by this relationship for they are usually unable to sell their homes when there is an economic slowdown, and thus they are unable to move during such times. The employment loss during 1990 through 1992 and the slow employment growth during 1993 led to an out-migration of population between 1990 and 1993 that more than off-set the natural rate of population growth of almost one percent per year.

Population Characteristics

The number of year-round residents in the six towns was up by 1.6% between 1990 and 1994, from 10,100 to 10,283 - according to estimates made by the New Hampshire Office of State Planning, with all of this growth during 1993 and 1994. During this same time it is estimated that Carroll County grew by 2.9 percent in total population and the state grew by 2.5 percent. Thus, the six town study area grew more slowly than the state, especially during 1991 and 1992.

The average age of Carroll County residents is 37.4 years old in 1990, over four years higher than the statewide average of 33.1 years. The average age for the six town study area was 37.1 years old, only slightly less than for Carroll County and four years older than the state-wide average. The table below provides a breakout for the six town area and the state. The greatest difference is for those in the active retiree age of 60 to 69.