Politics & Government
Census Figures Reveal Upcoming Challenges for Parsippany
Mayor Barberio says the township's growing senior population will mean reassessing Parsippany's priorities
The 2010 U.S. Census population statistics, released today, show big changes in Parsippany's makeup.
Among the findings, the number of citizens over age 65 rose 28.1 percent over the last 10 years, making seniors the fastest growing age group.
"This is what I've been saying all along," said Mayor James Barberio. "When I was running for mayor [in 2009], I would talk about school funding and how we needed it to offset taxes. We have a large senior population, which makes it important that we don't lose school funding."
Barberio pointed to the consolidated municipal tax relief aid from the state that has been cut in recent years.
"That money was used to keep property taxes down. In our last budget, I took great pains to keep the increase in the tax levy far beneath the two percent cap," he said. "I hope the state in the future doesn't cut more aid because it will affect seniors directly."
The effect will be visible in terms of the property taxes imposed on older citizens, many of whom live on fixed incomes. In addition, decreased aid often means cuts to programs that are vital to the senior community.
Barberio said the growth of the elderly population means taking a new look at Parsippany's master plan.
"We have to think to the future. This isn't going to turn around right away," he said. "We have to find affordable senior housing so we can keep our seniors here."
The mayor said the "different vision" Parsippany must take comes from the fact that many older residents are finding that they cannot afford to keep and maintain the homes they have. Some are forced to pull up stakes and move to different towns.
"Montville has this kind of housing for seniors. We don't," Barberio said. "We have to open our minds and find ways to create affordable housing. You're talking about our greatest generation and an important part of Parsippany-Troy Hills. This is something that my administration and the Planning Board will have to investigate with a fine tooth comb."
In other areas, the census shows most ethnic groups grew since the 2000 polling, with the biggest growths attributed to the Asian Indian (125.7 percent) and Mexican (162.9 percent) populations. The only ethnic group showing a major decrease is the white population, which dropped from 37,620 in 2000 to 33,204, a decline of 11.7 percent.
The total population is 53, 238, an increase of 5.1 percent over 2000.
Find out what's happening in Parsippanywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Demographic profile of Parsippany
Find out what's happening in Parsippanywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
New details about population and housing from the 2010 Census, released on Thursday. The data is compared with 2000 Census data when available. The change over the decade is given as well.
Subject 2010 2000 Percent change SEX AND AGE Total population 53,238 50,649 5.1 Median age (years) 40.5 37.6 7.7 Under 18 11,078 10,615 4.4 18 years and over 42,160 40,034 5.3 65 years and over 7,297 5,691 28.2 Male population 26,226 25,039 4.7 Female population 27,012 25,610 5.5 RACE White 33,204 37,620 -11.7 Black or African American 1,874 1,574 19.1 American Indian and Alaska Native 92 61 50.8 Asian 15,487 9,145 69.3 Asian Indian 9,250 4,099 125.7 Chinese 3,500 3,044 15.0 Filipino 1,057 782 35.2 Japanese 49 75 -34.7 Korean 541 469 15.4 Vietnamese 293 236 24.2 Other Asian 797 440 81.1 Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 8 28 -71.4 Some Other Race 1,082 963 12.4 Two or More Races 1,491 1,258 18.5 HISPANIC OR LATINO Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 4,430 3,535 25.3 Mexican 581 221 162.9 Puerto Rican 931 709 31.3 Cuban 259 228 13.6 Other Hispanic or Latino 2,659 2,377 11.9 HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPETotal households 20,279 19,624 3.3 Family households (families) 14,090 13,160 7.1 With own children under 18 years 6,261 5,789 8.2 Husband-wife family 11,817 11,037 7.1 With own children under 18 years 5,422 4,981 8.9 Male householder, no wife present 674 NA
With own children under 18 years 214 NA
Female householder, no husband present 1,599 1,498 6.7 With own children under 18 years 625 606 3.1 Nonfamily households 6,189 6,464 -4.3 Householder living alone 5,073 5,321 -4.7 Male 2,213 NA
Female 2,860 NA
Householder 65 and older 1,611 1,323 21.8 Households with individuals under 18 years 6,647 6,184 7.5 Households with individuals 65 years and over 5,189 4,141 25.3 Average household size 2.6 2.5 2.0 Average family size 3.1 3.1 0.3 HOUSING OCCUPANCY Total housing units 21,274 20,066 6.0 Occupied housing units 20,279 19,624 3.3 Vacant housing units 995 442 125.1 For rent 621 NA
Rented, not occupied 27 NA
For sale only 109 NA
Sold, not occupied 19 NA
For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use 84 57 47.4 All other vacants 135 NA
Homeowner vacancy rate (percent) 0.9 0.4 125.0 Rental vacancy rate (percent) 7.5 2.6 188.5 Source: U.S. Census Bureau. NA means the data was not available. Compiled by Colleen O'Dea.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
