Bucks County’s population is projected to shrink over the next 30 years, amid expected growth in other surrounding counties, writes Chris Ullery for the Bucks County Courier Times.  

A report by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania predicts a decrease in population by 7.5 percent, or 49,596 amid an aging population and stagnant birth rates.  

It’s something we’ve seen in our rural communities for many, many years and now it’s starting to hit some of our urban areas as well,” said the center’s Executive Director Kyle Kopko.  

Bucks County, which has 1,038 people per square mile, is considered an urban county and is one of three in Pennsylvania seeing a declining population over the next 30 years.  

To plan for the ripple effects of the population shift, Bucks County officials are unveiling a 20-year plan in February.  

Bucks County Commissioner Vice Chairman Bob Harvie says he hopes for “smart growth” to adapt to changes in the county.  

“You want to try to make a change that you can be comfortable with and manage that change in a way that benefits, you know, your residents and is done in a smart way,” he said.  

Read more about Bucks County’s population projections in the Bucks County Courier Times.  

Things To Do in Bucks County, PA