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POPULATION In 1980 population of the study area was 106,180. Table 2 shows a breakdown by townships of the 1980 population from a re- port supplied by the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development as supplied by census data. Projections to the year 2010 are also tabulated. Projections are based upon growth rates derived from census data which call for 13% growth be- tween 1980-1990, 7.9% between 1990 and 2000, and 7.5% from 2000 to 2010. The table is adjusted to reflect these rates. These increases are comparable with growth projections 6f 30 to 50% between 1970 and 2010 made independently by a joint North Carolina, South Carolina study of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin for the U.S. Water Resource Council. Total population in 2010 will be 139,170, an increase of 32,990 people~ Population projections are based on existing trends of growth based on the recent increase in diversification of industry in the study area, and rapid suburbanization which is occurring as areas of Cabarrus County become "bedroom communities" for workers in northern Mecklenburg County. The increased commuting seems confirmed by population patterns that show Harrisburg as the fastest growing township. This township lies along NC 49 which would be the main highway for commuters to such work centers as Charlotte, UNCC, and the IBM plant in northern Mecklenburg County. Growth of commuters to these locations, especially IBM which has not yet reached its planned employment levels, should only increase. Although population projections for the Concord area show a decline~ a new Philip Morris cigarette plant is expected to increase population by severa~ thousand persons by 1985. -4- I