By Melissa Rosequist | YourValley
The Town of Paradise Valley lost about 200 residents in the past decade, the latest U.S. Census shows. Is that a problem?
This week we ask the four Paradise Valley Town Council candidates about this slight decrease and the impact it may have on the municipality. Some point to the amount of state-shared revenues the town receives based on population growth, while others warn of the implications of having a town that sees less than 2% growth.
While 200 people isn’t too big of a factor, it can have implications on an already small town like Paradise Valley.
Read below to learn the perspectives of each candidate as they prepare for the Aug. 2 primary election, where voters will select three people to fill the open Town Council seats.
Ellen Andeen
• The 2020 U.S. Census shows Paradise Valley population has decreased slightly — the census shows the town lost about 200 residents over 10 years. Is this something to be concerned about?
While we show a slight decrease in our population of less than 2%, our data shows that the number of short-term rentals and homes purchased by corporations for that purpose have been the primary driver for the population decrease. The census was also conducted during COVID in April of 2020, and, with the seasonality of our residents, some may have not returned to Paradise Valley that year to been counted.
