CED Annexation Policy Plan 1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1. INTRODUCTION A. THE ANNEXATION ISSUE 1. Historical Growth Trends Since its incorporation in 1865, South Bend has followed growth trends typical of industrial cities throughout the Midwest. Up to 1960, the City's industrial growth was mirrored by exceptional population increases and expansion of the corporate limits thru annexation of many residential areas. In 1960 the decennial census showed what would prove to be a peak population of 132,445. By 1990, the City population had declined to 105,511, a total only slightly greater than the 1930 population of 104,193. This population decline can be attributed to several events including the erosion of the City's heavy industrial manufacturing base and a slowdown in the annexation of residential areas. The most substantial reason for this population decline, however, can be attributed to a new growth trend of population gradually shifting from the City to unincorporated areas of St. Joseph County. The beginning of this trend can be seen in the 1950's during which time those areas of the County outside of South Bend and Mishawaka experienced a substantial 29.5% growth in population compared to a moderate 14.3% for South Bend. By the 1960's, this new growth trend of City population decreases, coupled with County population increases, was well established. Between 1960 and 1990, South Bend's population decreased over 20% while the remainder of the County, excluding Mishawaka, increased 36%. Population trends for the past three decades for South Bend and those areas of St. Joseph County, outside of South Bend and Mishawaka are: 1960's 1970's 1980's South Bend -5.5% -14.4% -4.0% St. Joseph County +15.3% +9.2% +7.9% Most of the County growth has occurred primarily in the so-called collar townships around South Bind and Mishawaka. These are Centre, Clay, German, Harris and Penn. During the 30 period ending in 1990, these collar townships experienced a population gain of 47,299, while Portage Township, which is mostly within the corporate limits of South Bend, lost 39,973 people. Even discounting Harris and Penn Townships, which for the most part are beyond the potential growth limits of South Bend, the remaining collar townships had a population increase of 25,483 or 98.7%.