Jackson County reports need for housing

MAQUOKETA, Iowa -- The population in Jackson County continues to gradually decline, but a new study suggests there still is need for new housing in the area.

The Jackson County Economic Alliance recently unveiled results of its first countywide housing needs assessment. The consultant-led study evaluated economic and demographic data to identify potential areas of need in the communities of Maquoketa, Bellevue, Preston, Miles and the rest of the county.

Despite a countywide population that has declined by about 8.5 percent since a high of 22,503 in 1980, the area likely will need 316 new owner-occupied and 51 rental units over the next 10 years, according to the assessment.

Alliance Director Dave Heiar said increasing numbers of Jackson County homes are occupied by individuals, rather than families. While some of the single occupants are young professionals, more are senior citizens still living at home.

"If you're making the assumption that the current trend will continue onward, there will be more and more single-person households as opposed to family," Heiar said. (full article…)

BY BEN JACOBSON, Dubuque Telegraph Herald, December 15, 2015. BEN.JACOBSON@THMEDIA.COM.

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