2010-03-19-DemographicChangeTaskForce-FinalReport

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Executive Summary Lexington is experiencing a dramatic change in its racial composition and a substantial modification of its age profile. In 1990, just over 6% of the Town's residents were of Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean or other Asian origin. By 2000, the percentage of residents of Asian origin had risen to 11 %; at the end of 2009 it may have reached 20 %. This percentage is substantially higher in Lexington than in any other neighboring community. According to the 2005 -2007 American Community Survey, conducted by the Census Bureau, Asian Americans of Chinese origin represented about 10% of Lexington's population; they were followed by Indians and Koreans, each at about 2.5 %, and Japanese and Vietnamese at 0.5% each. At present, residents of Asian origin are significantly under - represented in the Town's Departments, Boards and Committees. The quantitative impact of this demographic change has been most evident in schools and in subsidized housing. The schools, with about 5% of students having limited English proficiency, have responded by expanding English Language Learner programs. With respect to housing, over 50% of the residents of Vinebrook and Greeley Villages (low income, elderly and handicapped housing) are now of Asian origin; twenty years ago there were none. Data on English proficiency from the 2000 Census reveal that about 300 Asian - American residents did not speak English or spoke it poorly and could present a communication challenge for Town Departments, particularly in emergencies. Although Lexington's population has not grown over the past 30 years, its age profile (distribution by age band) has changed considerably. It now most closely resembles the profiles of suburban communities with highly -rated school systems, and differs from all immediately neighboring communities except Lincoln. Currently, it consists of one peak in the 10 -14 year age band; falls to a minimum in the 25 -29 year band; rises to its maximum in the 50 -54 age band; and then drops off with higher ages. The profile is consistent with the following interpretation: Older parents move into Lexington to place their children in its excellent schools, while young adults move elsewhere. Over the past 10 to 20 years, the initial peak has grown and the maximum of the distribution has shifted out by 10 years. The average age of the population is slowly rising now, but is projected to rise faster at a faster pace over the next 20 years according to projections from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. The aging population, coupled with the trend of more seniors living alone, is placing new and additional demands on Town services. In particular, minor problems that may have once been handled 1