The Center for Rural Pennsylvania recently published its Pennsylvania population projection that foresees a significant demographic shift in The Keystone State over the next 30 years, writes Ashley Adams for The Keystone.

Based on this, the Keystone State’s population will increase both in 2030 and 2040, but slightly decline in 2050 projecting an estimated 30-year growth rate of 1.6 percent. This is expected mainly in the southeast part of the state.

The rural population in Pennsylvania is projected to shrink by 5.8 percent in the next three decades, while the urban population is expected to rise by 4.1 percent. An estimated 24 percent of citizens are expected to live in rural counties in 2050, versus 26 percent in 2020.

The projection also shows a significant increase in residents over the age of 65 in that period, while the state birth rate is expected to decline.

“We are looking at 600,000 more senior citizens in Pennsylvania by the end of the decade,” said Dr. Kyle Kopko, executive director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.

“We already have a waitlist at assisted living facilities. How do we address the aging population needs?” he asked.

Read more about the projected changes in Pennsylvania’s population in The Keystone.

State data suggests change in Pennsylvania population