Demographic shifts are occurring in Stockbridge which have a bearing on housing needs. Data indicates that gains in the proportion of older residents and declines in younger people will likely continue. For example, those under age 20 declined by 36% between 2010 and 2021 while older adults 65 years of age and older increased by 46% during a time when the overall population declined by 6.2%.

The aging of the population is also reflected in the increase in median age, from 40.8 to 60.1 years during this period. Moreover, the population of those age 35 to 54 declined by 42% between 2010 and 2021 with a net loss of 215 such residents. These trends suggest that the Town continue to foster a community that protects the elderly and attracts young families, thus promoting the creation of starter homes as well as options for downsizing.

This data comes from the Stockbridge Affordable Housing Trust’s Housing Production Plan, which was the Trust’s first major initiative as it began work. The Housing Production Plan (HPP) is intended to help the Town of Stockbridge better understand current housing dynamics, identify priority housing needs, and develop a roadmap for addressing these needs over the short and longer term.

A link to the full report is below.