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Show SECTION IV Estimated Estimated Projection Existing # % Increase 521,500 653,585 25.3 790,538 21.0 DISTRIBUTION OF PROJECTED POPULATION WITHIN SALT LAKE COUNTY Summary of County- Wide Population/ Dwelling Unit Projections As described in detail in Sections I and II, total population was projected for the five- county Wasatch Front and then allocated to each county. The projection reflects natural increase ( births over deaths) and in- migration based on projected job increase in the region. For Salt Lake County, the projection was derived as follows: 1975 1985 1995 Family Size The estimates above are based on varying family size in the future. The average family size has steadily decreased in the united States since the late 1960' s and continues to follow this trend. Utah is no exception although, as in the past, the average family size in the State exceeds the national average. However, the State and the County are moving in the same direction as the nation and are expected to follow national trends ( see Figure 1). As the economy of the State becomes more diversified and more like that of the nation, many of the socio- economic factors which cause Utah to vary statistically from the nation will be less strong. Clearly, applying the existing family size to 1995 would project an unrealistically high population. However, family size in different parts of the County vary considerably now and will continue to in the future. It is important to realize that the 1995 average of 3.1 and 2.77 persons per family are averages which encompass a range of approximately two persons in older areas to over four persons in newer family areas. 35 |