la Frontera In the News

Round Rock Leader

January 28, 1999

Four times more people? ATS says that's true by the year 2025

By Shane Graber, Leader Staff

Three population forecasts shown to commissioners Tuesday in Georgetown predict that more people will move to Williamson County in the next 25 years than its techno-savvy, computer-minded neighbor to the south, Travis County.

A representative from the Austin Transportation Study presented the estimates to the court to emphasize the importance of roadway planning as more and more people move to Central Texas.

One ATS survey suggests Williamson County will have to make room for 622,288 new residents by the year 2025, or 64,880 more than Travis County.

As of 1997, the ATS estimated that 719,985 people lived in Travis County, with 209,318 living in Williamson.

A quarter-of-a-century later, the ATS believes 1.27 million people will live in Travis County, and 825,716 will live here.

If that happens, Travis County must absorb an 81 percent population increase. Williamson County, on the other hand, will be nearly four times its current size, a tough thing to plan for if you are a county official.

"I don't think you can say you're prepared for growth like that, but you just look forward and try our best to plan for it," County Judge John Doerfler said. "But it takes a lot of dollars to solve a lot of problems."

It's important to stay on top of what the ATS is involved in, Doerfler said. It is that group that designates where federal dollars go on the county roads that fall under their jurisdiction.

The ATS oversees projects for Southern Williamson County roads, including those in Round Rock, Cedar Park and Leander. The group coordinates transportation planning for 19 cities in three counties.

Williamson County also will have about four times more employees working here in 25 years. According to the ATS, 52,407 Williamson County people were employed in 1997. By 2025, the group estimates that 154,328 more people will work here.

Some 332,000 more people are expected to have jobs in Travis County in 25 years.

As Doerfler pointed out, everything the county does is directly tied to population. Whether it's registering a vehicle, paying taxes, or dealing with the criminal justice system, more people mean a greater burden on resources.

"Even if our crime rate is the lowest in the world, it will strain all our facilities," Doerfler said. "But we do a good job to get the most bang for the buck."

The reasons for Williamson County's growth are obvious, he added. Being on the IH-35 corridor alone brings people by the millions through the area.

The high tech businesses, the quality of schools and a tough criminal justice system all things that make up what Doerfler calls "the Williamson County attitude" also add to this area's lure.

Two other estimates suggest Williamson County will take in about 37,000 more new people than Travis. According to 1997 Census Bureau figures, Williamson County will have 615,239 more residents by 2025. The State Data Center says Williamson County will have 622,288 new people.

"It's hard to believe that many people will be coming here," Doerfler said. "It will be interesting to see 25 years down the line."