U of M-Flint

Civic Park
Proposal
Elderly Housing/Recreational Center

Brie Warner
3-23-2016

The City of Flint, Michigan is an aging, declining city with the total population of 102,434.
Flint has a proportionally smaller number of youth and young adults, while its middle-aged and
senior populations are proportionally larger as displayed in figure 1. Flints 2011 population is
divided by age as follows: 27% youth, 20.4% young adults, 27.4% middle-aged, and 27.3%
senior population. Flints population proportions are lower than the United States averages for
its youth and young adult population but has larger proportions of middle-aged and senior
populations displayed in figure 1. Flint is experiencing population change within its senior
population where Flint is growing older, faster due to a combination of factors that is further
explained in figure 2 (Imagine Flint). These complex factors contributing to population
proportions can be explained in a general sense that younger residents migrate outside of Flint
seeking alternative arrangements while the elder are emerged in their community and continue
to reside in Flint.

(Figure 1)

(Figure 2)

The City of Flint has 40,734 residents that are over the age of 60. To add to Flints aging
population concern, 8,210 of these seniors live alone (Suburban Stats). Without constant living
assistance and supporting family members, senior housing is often an appealing option. 8% of
seniors seeking these housing arrangements leave there communities to surrounding areas in
Genesee County. To retain its aging population, the City of Flint needs additional, affordable
senior housing.