Lake surpasses Perry as Stark’s third-largest township
By Kelli Young CantonRep.com staff writer
An influx of baby boomers has catapulted Lake Township to Stark County’s third most populous township, new census figures show.
The U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday will release figures that gives midsize cities and towns their first statistical portrait since 2000. The numbers are based on three years worth of data — from 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Today’s release shows the population shifts for Alliance, Canton, Jackson Township, Lake Township, Massillon, Perry Township and Plain Township. Figures for smaller Stark County towns likely will be released in 2010, according to census officials.
LIVING IN LAKE
Among Stark County’s most populated townships, Lake Township saw the largest percent increase in population.
Between 2000 and 2007, the rural township that borders Summit County has added more than 1,200 people — a 13.4 percent increase.
The influx propelled Lake’s population to 29,361 and past Perry Township’s declining population of 27,922. The census figures include incorporated municipalities within the townships, such as Hartville. (Information has been corrected to fix an error. See correction at end of story. 12:01 p.m., 12/9/08)
With North Canton included in the tally, Lake still trails Plain Township’s 52,546 residents (which includes North Canton) and Jackson Township’s 37,744 residents, which includes Hills and Dales. Both townships also saw smaller gains in population during the same seven-year span.
Most of the Lake’s newcomers are aged 60 or older and likely were attracted to the township’s multiplying senior-housing communities, says Lake Township Trustee Ellis Erb.
“The seniors have stayed in the community instead of moving out because of the condos that have been put up here,” said Erb, who rattled off the names of a dozen senior-housing allotments built recently in the township.
And more units are being built on Mount Pleasant Street NW, Erb said.
He believes Lake Local Schools’ distinguished reputation and Stark County’s low cost of living also have attracted new residents.
BUCKING THE TREND
At least one Stark County city has defied the dying city label.
Massillon’s population increased from 31,325 to 32,289 between 2000 and 2007, figures show.
Massillon Mayor Francis H. Cicchinelli credits the city’s emphasis on increasing the number of annual housing starts and its aggressive annexation philosophy.
“We try to get about a hundred housing units per year,” Cicchinelli said. “That includes single family, condominiums, duplex units and apartments. And that’s what we had averaged for the last 10 years.”
He said many newer housing developments exist in the Perry Local and Tuslaw school districts. Other new units have been scattered throughout the city, including in established neighborhoods.
“We try to have a housing stock that represents all income levels,” the mayor said. “We like our diversity.”
Annexations of undeveloped land also have helped with continual growth of housing developments, Cicchinelli said.
“We found that in most cases (that) if it’s a vacant lot, that as soon as water and sewer (services) are available, it gets filled in pretty easily,” Cicchinelli said.
CORRECTION: The census figures include incorporated municipalities within the townships. This information was not included in the orginal story, which was published at 9:57 p.m. Dec. 8.
