In this series, the Icon presents the Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow comprehensive plan in eight segments, which can be found in full on the Village of Bluffton website HERE. The Bluffton Public Library has two print copies.

NOTABLE CHARACTERISTICS

• Educated Population
• Higher Earning Populace
• College Town
• Projected Population Growth

Bluffton’s residents are its greatest asset. Understanding its demographics allows officials to make educated, equitable decisions that can affect the trajectory of the entire community. Race, sex, age, income level, educational attainment, and household demographics can all play a role in determining what a community needs to grow and thrive. This section seeks to grow the reader’s understanding of the population and identify possible trends and future projections.

The Data
Sourcing data from bona fide origins allows planners to forecast with the highest degree of comfort and accuracy. In the field of urban planning, data is rarely hard and fast. Planning data reflects a snapshot in time or more often an estimation of that frame. People, transportation, and various infrastructure utilizations are innately fluid. In the field of population and demographic estimates, the United States Census Bureau reigns supreme. All population data provided in this report comes from one of two sources: the 2020 decennial census or the American Community Survey (ACS) for mid-decade numbers. Data relating to Bluffton University students was gathered from the university president’s office.

Population Growth
While many American municipalities are facing a decline, Bluffton is growing. Data from the 2020 Census revealed that Bluffton’s population grew by 7.4% compared to Ohio’s growth rate of 2.3% during the 2010-2020 period. Bluffton continues to grow as there are currently two small subdivisions actively being developed, known as Parkview and Chestnut Lane. The Village is projected to serve another 1,000 residents by 2050, a 25% growth according to LACRPC. The next 20 years are crucial as responsible growth is imperative for future generations. (See Population Projections, page 39.)

Bluffton may be able to shape the demographics of the community. Zoning can inform housing districts and developments which attract a certain socioeconomic status. A significant number of survey participants expressed a desire to increase the availability of housing for residents earning below the ACS 2021 5-year estimated household median income of $72,000.

The American population is aging and Bluffton is no exception. In 2034, for the first time in U.S. history, there will be more people over the age of 65 in the United States than under 18. It is important to note that seniors in larger proportions require access to different needs including healthcare, housing more suitable to that demographic, exercise and nutrition, transportation, workforce opportunities, and opportunities for community engagement, new models of care delivery and others. Becoming an Age-Friendly Community would help ensure these needs are being addressed and Bluffton is connected with the other communities and resources available.

College Town
Bluffton benefits from being a college town. Since 1899, Bluffton College, now Bluffton University, has been a major influence on our community. The Mennonite-affiliated, liberal arts university is a major employer; the multipleacre campus increases our green space, and college-credit classes are within walking distance for high school students. The university brings 600- plus students to town and increases local diversity through its students and faculty. The relationship between the Village and the university is important. The Village, Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce and University representatives currently meet quarterly.

Education Level
American Community Survey (ACS) data from 2011-2020 gives a snapshot of social and economic characteristics for Bluffton and the surrounding area of Allen, Hancock, Hardin, and Putnam counties. The data shows a substantially higher level of educational attainment in Bluffton.

• Approximately 96% of Bluffton residents have a high school degree or higher, compared to 92% for the four-county region, and 91.1% for Ohio.
• Some 45% of Bluffton residents have a Bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 22.4% for the four-county region, and 29.7% for Ohio.

Bluffton is served by the Bluffton Exempted Village Schools and by Bluffton University, which provides convenient access to College Credit Plus coursework for high school students. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that in 2021-2022, the Bluffton Schools had 1,183 students and 67.25 teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. The graduation rate was 97.8%.

Revenue for the Bluffton Schools for the 2021-2022 academic year was $13,162,000 or $10,850 per student.

In 2018, Bluffton Elementary School was awarded Blue Ribbon status by the U.S. Department of Education.

Income Level
ACS data from 2011-2020 also provides estimates for average household income. However, the margin of error increases as the sample size decreases, so there is a significantly large margin of error at the village level.

ACS data estimates the average household income for Bluffton at $84,329, compared to $75,430 for the four-county area, and $83,820 for all of Ohio. (See Appendix, page 41)

The percent of population in poverty is estimated at 2.8% for Bluffton, compared to 12% for the four-county area, and 13.4% for all of Ohio.

Some survey respondents felt that entry-level employees struggle to find homes in Bluffton because of real estate prices and the limited number of residences for sale or rent.

POPULATION STRATEGIES

Maintain quarterly meeting between Village staff, Chamber and University representatives, and any other activities that encourage the relationship between the village and the university.

Review steps necessary to create a charter form of government and other steps to ensure Bluffton is prepared for the future census count when a population of 5,000 is recorded. This population would designate Bluffton as a city.

Village Administration should continue to work with the Senior Citizens Center to ensure Bluffton becomes and remains an Age-Friendly Community.

Review zoning regulations to allow for mixed use residential areas to develop housing for varied income levels.

NEXT WEEK: Site & Situation