I think this has been a popular topic of conversation for all 21 of the years that I have been working in real estate here in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

The chart above (Population Growth) is pulled from the Rockingham County Comprehensive Plan. 

Over the past 30 years (1990 - 2020) we have seen an average of a 1.26% growth in the County population per year.  This has resulted in an increase of 26,275 people.

Over the next 30 years (2020 - 2050) we are estimated to see an average of a 0.74% growth in the County population per year.  This will result in an increase of 20,724 people.

So, per the Rockingham County Comprehensive Plan... it seems that we will be growing more slowly over the next 30 years (by percentage and by number) as compared to the growth we have seen over the past 30 years.

Is this 0.74% per year the right amount of growth?  I imagine there are some who would say it's just right... some who would say it's way too much... and some who might say it is not enough.