Town Success Should Be A Family Affair

BY MATTHEW MERITT

​​Small town leaders should pay close attention to the percentage of their populations made up of children. If moms and dads feel comfortable raising families in their town, odds are it’s a pretty good place. 
 
Simply by giving it the eyeball test, Big Flats is just that. It’s quiet and safe, with reputable schools, friendly but competitive youth sports and an assortment of open spaces.
 
But as the town moves forward with an updated comprehensive plan in its back pocket, the plan itself notes the percentage of school-age children has dropped from 25 percent of the population in 2010 to 22 percent in 2019. This is despite a slight overall population increase over the same period. 

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