Published: February 12, 2008 08:43 am      

Issues facing state, nation and county

Two topics often at the center of discussions by local residents all the way up to state and federal elected officials are immigration, the drastic increase of those older than 65 and an increase in the amount of those 25 years and younger.

Ron Crouch, director of the Kentucky State Data Center based at the University of Louisville, gave a presentation Monday at City Hall discussing these topics, along with several others at a public forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Berea and Madison County.

However, most of his information presented supported the ideas that immigration is not a bad thing, and that the majority of our declining younger generation will be taking care of the Baby Boomers.

One of the big downfalls to this is that the numbers representing the younger generation, those 25 and younger, are decreasing drastically, Crouch sad.

“The world is experiencing a longevity crisis, not a fertility crisis,” he said.

Immigrants and other minorities very well could comprise the majority of those who are left taking care of America’s older generations, he said.

The countries showing the most population growth are the U.S., Australia and Canada, because they are “Settler Nations” that allow immigration, Crouch said.

The 2006 American Community Survey estimates the Hispanic/Latinos at 85,938, an increase of 43.3 percent since 2000.

Crouch emphasized the value of a growing minority and immigration population, noting, “We need to bring our undocumented Hispanic/Latino population out of the shadows,” according to information distributed at the forum. “The United States will solve the problem of undocumented immigration by the real solution of increasing the level of legal immigration.”

Discussion about building stronger boarders between the U.S. and Mexico only aids to America’s regression, he said.

“We don’t need to build walls on the Mexican boarders,” he said. “We need to open up lemonade stands and hand out free lemonade and balloons to get Hispanics to come across the boarder.”

Much of America’s documented growth is thanks to immigrants, he said.

Seven lengthy, detailed handouts were distributed at Monday’s forum, but Crouch’s concerns for the state and nation are very similar.

Crouch’s 10 “New Rules for a New Ballgame,” include: (1) The United States is experiencing a major demographic revolution. (2) Diversity by race and age are both critical issues. (3) The “middle-aging,” not the aging, of our population is now taking place. The aging of our population is a decade or more off. (4) Major changes are taking place in our households and families. (5) There are major regional differences taking place across the United States. (6) Our economy is changing and we are not prepared for the new knowledge economy. (7) Bubba is in trouble whether he is Bubba White, Joe Black or Jose Brown. (8) Births to unmarried mothers and children at risk are major challenges. (9) The costs of an aging society are “unsustainable” and we need to rethink the concept of “old.” (10) We have a “sick care” system masquerading as a “health care’ system.

On a local level, Crouch gave several statistics relating directly to Madison County.

Statistics from the 2006 Census Bureau Estimates released by the Kentucky Data Center report that Richmond is the seventh-largest city in the state with a population of 31,431 (falling behind Louisville, Lexington, Owensboro, Bowling Green, Covington, and Hopkinsville); Madison is the ninth-largest county with a population of 79,015 and is ranked 37th in the state for median household income at $36,710 with the highest being $68,130 in Oldham County.

Madison County’s estimated population growth, according to Kentucky Population Research and the Kentucky State Data Center, will jump from the current 79,015 to 104,419 by 2030.

He also reported that virtually all growth in Kentucky and the nation between 2010 and 2020 will be of those who are 65 years or older.

“The only reason we’re growing is because we’re growing older,” he said.

More Madison County statistics, along with detailed statistical information for each city and county in the state can be obtained by visiting the Kentucky Data Center Web site at www.ksdc.louisville.edu or by calling 1-502-852-7990.

Much of what Crouch discussed could be brought up again during League events throughout the year.

“One of the things I feel compelled to do when I hear Ron is spread the word about how important it is to follow the facts,” said League President Elizabeth Crowe. “Next month, the league is going to take some of the ideas Ron has presented and talk about what this information means for future planning in Madison County.”

No official date has been set for the forum as of yet.

Visit lwvbmc.iclub.org for more information about the league and a list of several upcoming events in the Richmond and Berea communities.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.