Trends
Allegany County’s net migration has declined recently do to the economic downturn, but overall trend has it going positive.
The economic downturn impacted both Allegany County’s exchange of residents with other counties in the state and with other states. The trend for both, however, is improving. Net migration within the state has been positive since 2004.
According to the U.S. Census, the resasons for moving out of a county are related to housing, work and family.
Allegany County attracts people for these three reasons.
First for housing, Allegany County has the lowest housing costs in the state of Maryland.
Secondly, Allegany County has the lowest cost of living in the state of Maryland. This attracts businesses along with people.
Lastly, Allegany County has the lowest percentage of residents that commute outside their respective county in the state of Maryland. This helps the family by shortening the conmute for those that work in the family. Even if they work outside the county, they are not driving on congested roads.
The following two graphs are confirmation that Allegany County is attracting new people and businesses.
Housing prices are increasing even while they are decreasing in the United States and Maryland. Despite the increase, housing prices are still relatively low. They are only 44% of those in Maryland overall and 2/3 of those for the country.
The recession has impacted Allegany County with resident employment decreasing 3 %. Still, it is 8 % higher than 10 years ago.
Public School Enrollment has been on the decline for the past three decades here in Allegany County. However, we believe in the quality of our school system and we are starting to see the trend level out in Grades 1-5 and Grades 6-8. In fact, the Pre-Kindergarten enrollment is on the rise, giving our children a change to get a fead start in their education.
Allegany County continues to have one of the highest levels for Teacher qualifications in the State of Maryland.
Projections of Headcount Enrollment at Maryland Community Colleges
Allegany County is privileged to have two quality and respected institutions of higher education within our borders. Enrollment has steadily increased at Allegany College of Maryland over the past decade. Data published in June 2010 by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) projects a significant increase of 18% over the next decade.
Projections of Headcount Enrollment at Maryland Public Four-Year Institutions
Likewise, Frostburg State University is projected to experience an overall increase of 14% over the next decade in the MHEC June 2010 report. Maryland is proud that nearly one-third of its residents 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is the 4th highest percentage among all states.
