By: The Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC) | 11.4.24
Over the past year, as the PCEDC Board of Directors has been updating the organization’s vision, mission, and priorities and hired a new Executive Director, housing has been high on the list of conversations.
Pottawatomie County Strategic Plan Demonstrates Need for 14,162 Housing Units
The goal as stated in the County’s strategic planning document is to guide future development, redevelopment, and community enhancement preserving history, culture, and quality of life for current and future residents. Included in the document are population projections that the County’s 2040 population will range from 33,860 to 36,081 people (34,971 as a midpoint), an increase of 11,310 residents from 2016 and will require 4,189 additional housing units for a total of 14,162 housing units (on page 113, Appendix A of Plan Pottawatomie County 2040, based on a study by Wichita State University).
Number of Housing Units Not Meeting Population Projection Needs
Pottawatomie County had 9,973 housing units in 2019. This number hasn’t grown enough over the last five years to keep up with previously projected growth populations. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Pottawatomie County had 10,400 units in 2023. That is just an average of 85 units per year when we actually needed 199 additional units per year if we started prioritizing this in 2019. As it stands, to catch up, we now need 235 new units per year through 2040 to meet the needs for the median population projection.
Declining Housing Scores in Pottawatomie County
Pottawatomie County currently has a housing score of 49 out of 100, a decrease of 7 points just since August of this year. This score reflects factors such as the availability of housing units, affordability relative to household income, and the overall quality of homes. Although rising construction costs and other challenges are affecting housing nationwide, this declining score suggests that potential new residents may choose to look outside of Pottawatomie County in the future.
Planning for the Future
The focus on housing in Pottawatomie County underscores the urgent need for strategic planning and action to address the growing population’s demands. The recent strategic plan highlights the gap between current housing availability and future needs, emphasizing that without significant and immediate efforts to increase housing stock, the county risks falling behind its growth potential. As the County continues to attract new residents and businesses, ensuring an adequate supply of quality, affordable housing will be critical to sustaining economic prosperity and enhancing the quality of life for both current and future residents. Addressing these housing challenges now will position Pottawatomie County as a desirable place to live, work, and thrive in the decades to come.
Download this Housing Needs in Pottawatomie County report as a pdf.
Read More:
Housing in Pottawatomie County: Spruce Apartments Case Study
Housing Affordability in Pottawatomie County and Beyond
Affordable Housing for Workforce Retention and Attraction
Missing Middle Housing: Thinking Big and Building Small to Respond to Today’s Housing Crisis
