How Are We Growing Old - And Why?

By Laura Knoy on Monday, April 9, 2007.

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Most agree that New Hampshire is growing to be an older state, but the extent of this trend and the reasons behind it are still debated. Some of the reasons demographers point to: In/out migration, an influx of age-restricted housing, the allure of Granite State life, or just that we're a healthy, older and less fertile state. What's also debated is how badly this trend may hurt New Hampshire. Some say "not much", others call it "disastrous for New Hampshire". We'll explore how we're growing old, why we're growing old and how it may affect the Granite State.

Guests

Peter Francese, Director of Demographic Forecasts for The New England Economic Partnership, Demographic Trends Analyst for Ogilvy and Mather in New York City, founder of American Demographics Magazine and author of a forthcoming book "Communities and Consequences"
Brian Gottlob, Principal of PolEcon Research in Dover
Glenn Greenwood, Assistant Director of the Rockingham Planning Commission.

Web Resources

Trend Lines NH - March 2006 (PDF, 321K)
In this issue, Brian Gottlob and PolEcon focus on the issue of demographic changes in New Hampshire, including articles on why the state is aging and the economic benefits of an older workforce.

New Hampshire Futures: Demographic trends to inform your planning decisions (PDF, 35K)
Peter Francese's handout describes some of the changes that may come with an aging population, including unfilled jobs and the need for more workforce housing.

Will Demographics Be New Hampshire's Downfall? (PDF, 130K)
Brian Gottlob's presentation to the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce uses demographic statistics to argue that the "danger" of an aging population is overstated, and that New Hampshire is better positioned to address the coming challenges than other states. Shifting the Load: Costs, Effects and the Potential Impact of Property-Tax Relief for New Hampshire's Seniors (PDF, 369K)
Study by the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies argues that tax and zoning policy in New Hampshire actually encourages the development of an aging population.