New York State's transition to stability: the demographic outlook

Reviews basic information on current population trends in New York and economic and social problems created by the trends. Four of the state's ten Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas are losing population, and certain nonmetropolitan areas are growing. This requires new fiscal and political accommodations. Wide variation in the rate of population change is projected for different age groups. This will affect school and college enrollments and the demand for particular kinds of dwellings. As the baby-boom cohorts have matured into adulthood they have created heavy demand for low-to-moderate priced apartments in urban areas. The changing distribution of elderly population among New York State's counties is examined in detail. State policy could be limited to reacting; or it could strive to advance broad purposes; or set its sights on specific goals of some master plan. Whatever policy is chosen, it will entail difficult choices that will distribute costs and benefits unevenly among people and jurisdictions.