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• Since both the population count and the demographics are typically utilized to <br />forecast the need for municipal services, the most recent (1977) special <br />census offers a demographic description (Table ZI-4) of the area. Before <br />discussing particular demographics, Table ZI-4 demonstrates thnt the majority <br />of the residents of Delta County elect to live in unincorporated areas, thus <br />relying more on County services than municipal services. Evidence for this <br />statement stems from the population listed as "area." Thus, the increase in <br />people is not necessarily in relationship to where municipal services are <br />available. <br />Demographically, Delta County residents' ages appear to be bimodal, with a <br />significant portion over age 65, yet the median age is lower in 1977 than in <br />1970. IInfortunately, the 1980 demographic census results will be unavailable <br />for a year, thus there is no opportunity to verify if bimodality is continuing <br />or has levelled out with the natural aging of residents. A further discussion <br />of the impact of these demographics will occur later. The following section <br />• discusses the interactions of key economic and demographic characteristics. <br />C. Historical Economic and Demographic Interactions <br />A major concern of local officials and planners in Delta and Gunnison Counties <br />is the degree to which increased employment opportunities, especially coal- <br />related, are satisfied through in-migration rather than by local workers. In <br />order to forecast the impact of additional workers at WSCC, it became neces- <br />sary to analyze the historical trends in local labor force participation, in- <br />migration, employment and unemployment. In addition, since Gunnison and Delta <br />Counties are closely related in terms of employment opportunities and labor <br />supply and since some of the economic data ie by place of work rather than <br />place of residence, the analysis represents a combination of the two counties <br />into one geographic area. <br />Table II-5 presents key economic and demographic indicators, including <br />population, labor force, employment, school data, and coal employment. In <br />addition, a computed crude labor force participation rate (LFPR) is also <br />•~ presented. It is termed n "crude LFPR" since total population is used, rather <br />10 <br />