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Regional planner updates committee on housing progress and state population projections; Marathon County relatively well positioned
Summary
North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning updated the committee on the 2022 Wausau Metro housing assessment, new state population projections, and project inventory; the planner said Marathon County is in a better position than most nearby counties but housing demand remains.
Sam from the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission reported on comparisons between the 2022 Wausau Metro housing assessment and current building activity and on new state population projections based on the 2020 census.
Nut graf: Sam said Marathon County has younger family cohorts than many surrounding counties and therefore is relatively better positioned for housing demand, even though new state projections show pessimistic long-term population trends. He also reported that about two-thirds of the housing units the 2022 study projected for participating municipalities were either built or under way as of the meeting.
Sam told the committee the Department of Administration’s newer population projections — based on the 2020 census — are more “pessimistic” than earlier (2013) projections, which makes planning difficult; they do not capture inbound migration trends. He said Marathon County’s projected decline to 2050 is smaller than many neighboring counties and that local household formation trends still create demand even if total population flattens.
Sam reviewed a list of specific projects and building permits and said his inventory included about 1,190 new units either completed or in process for the eight municipalities in the original study, plus 181 platted lots and other conversions and infill activity. He noted conversions (for example, a hotel to residential) raise questions about lease terms and unit counts.
Chair Robinson and Administrator Leinart noted other data sources (American Community Survey, Lightcast, Ford Analytics) and affordability indices; Leinart cited a recent affordability index showing Marathon County at 109 (above a 100 threshold) versus Dane County at 66.9. Committee members agreed housing quality and unit mix remain policy concerns.
Ending: The commission will continue tracking permits, completed units and the regional housing study; Sam offered to share contact information for follow-up.
