Page 8 - spaces4learning, Fall 2024

s p a c e s 4 l e a rn i n g
2 0 2 4 FACILITIES & CONSTRUCTION B RIEF
A C
POPULATION CHANGE
Whereas 2021 saw the first decline in construction spending
since 2013 and 2022 rebounded slightly, 2023 brought increased
spending well beyond pre-pandemic levels. Still, challenges
abound in the sector: Spaces4earning 2024 Construction Brief
survey respondents across PreK–12 and higher education com-
plained of high construction costs (for both materials and labor),
aging buildings with deferred maintenance, and long lead times
for euipment, among other issues.
Private construction spending on education totaled $23.26
billion in 2023, according to United States Census Bureau data,
CHANGES IN POPULATION
AFFECT ENROLLM ENT
Between 2021 and 2022, the population of the United States
grew 0.4. Between 2022 and 2023, the rate of growth increased
slightly to 0.5. That amounted to an increase of 1.643 million
people to the U.S. population, bringing the total to 334,914,895,
according to the United States Census Bureau.
or the third year in a row, the natural increase in population
(births minus deaths) fell below increases in population owing
to international migration. In other words, there were more
net international migrants adding to the U.S. population (1.139
million) than net gains through childbirth minus deaths (504,495).
U.S. migration returning to pre-pandemic levels and a drop
in deaths are driving the nations growth, said Kristie Wilder, a
demographer in the Population Division at the Census Bureau.
Although births declined, this was tempered by the near
9 decrease in deaths. Ultimately, fewer deaths paired with
rebounding immigration resulted in the nation experiencing its
largest population gain since 2018. (See census.gov/newsroom/
press-releases/2023/population-trends-return-to-pre-pandemic-
norms.html.)
Some stats for the year based on current estimates (as of uly
2023, the most recent census data available) include:
• The total population of the United States in 2023 was 334.91
million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The total
population in 2022 was 333.29 million. The total population in
2021 was 331.9 million. The total population in 2020 was 330.03
million. The population in 2019 was 329.16 million.
• There was roughly one death every 10 seconds and one birth
every nine seconds, with one net gain from immigration every
28 seconds.
• Nineteen states, as well as Puerto Rico, saw more deaths than
births (natural declines).
• Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia saw more births
t h a n d e a t h s .
up more than $3.26 billion from 2022. Public construction
spending on education increased as well, from $84.04 billion in
2022 to $96.97 billion in 2023.
ow was the money spent Nearly half of preK–12 survey
respondents (48.84) reported completing new or replacement
buildings in 2023, while in the higher education side, major
renovations/moderniations were the most commonly completed
construction projects of the year, cited by 42.5 of respondents.
unding continues to be a hurdle for education institutions
across the board. Roughly 63 of preK–12 respondents and
75 of higher education respondents expect fewer funds or no
change in available funds this year.
HIGHEST GROTH AND DECLINE Y NUMER ( to )
tate 2023 opulation Growth
T e x a s 3 0 , 5 0 3 , 3 0 1 4 7 3 , 4 5 3
F l o r i d a 2 2 , 6 1 0 , 7 2 6 3 6 5 , 2 0 5
N o r t h C a r o l i n a 1 0 , 8 3 5 , 4 9 1 1 3 9 , 5 2 6
G e o r g i a 1 1 , 0 2 9 , 2 2 7 1 1 6 , 0 7 7
S o u t h C a r o l i n a 5 , 3 7 3 , 5 5 5 9 0 , 6 0 0
P e n n s y l v a n i a 1 2 , 9 6 1 , 6 8 3 – 1 0 , 4 0 8
L o u i s i a n a 4 , 5 7 3 , 7 4 9 – 1 4 , 2 7 4
I l l i n o i s 1 2 , 5 4 9 , 6 8 9 – 3 2 , 8 2 6
C a l i f o r n i a 3 8 , 9 6 5 , 1 9 3 – 7 5 , 4 2 3
N e w Y o r k 1 9 , 5 7 1 , 2 1 6 – 1 0 1 , 9 8 4
ource U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Estimates of the Resident Population
for the United States, Regions, States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico:
April 1, 2020 to uly 1, 2023. See census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/
population-trends-return-to-pre-pandemic-norms.html.
ust eight states saw population declines from 2022 to 2023
(compared to 18 the previous year)—including the most populous
state in the nation, California, which declined by 75,423 this year,
following a decline of 113,649 last year. Collectively, states with
population declines (California, awaii, Illinois, ouisiana, New ork,
Oregon, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia) had a population loss
of 249,161 in 2023, compared to 509,789 in 2022. While many
of these states have lost population annually since 2020, their
population declines have slowed, the U.S. Census Bureau noted.
Eleven states that experienced population declines in 2022 saw
gains in 2023: New ersey (30,024), Ohio (26,238), Minnesota
(23,615), Massachusetts (18,659), Maryland (16,272), Michigan
(3,980), Kansas (3,830), Rhode Island (2,120), New Mexico
(895), Mississippi (762), and Alaska (130).
Texas saw the highest population growth (473,453), followed
by lorida (365,205). The fastest-growing states in the nation
w e r e S o u t h C a r o l i n a , w i t h a 1 . 7 % g r o w t h r a t e , a n d F l o r i d a , w i t h a
1 . 6 % g r o w t h r a t e .
ENROLLM ENT ESTIM ATES
PRE-
While final data are not yet available for enrollment in 2023, the
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) projected that
49.012 million students would attend public PreK–12 schools
in fall 2023. That is down by about 722,000 from the previous
projection for 2023. About 1.354 million of those are pre-
kindergarten level; 3.403 million kindergarten; 33.484 million
PreK–8; 15.528 million grades 9–12. 2023s projected public
school enrollment was down slightly from 2022, with enrollment
declines projected every year through 2031. (See nces.ed.gov/
8 FALL 2024 | spaces4learning.com