The 2014 Regional Outlook for Western North Carolina (WNC) presents demographic forecasts, showing that North Carolina will grow faster than WNC and the U.S. over varying time periods. The report consists of analyses from multiple contributors and covers public opinions on various sectors such as health care, education, and the economy. Key demographic trends include differing growth rates among senior citizens and Latino populations, as well as notable regional cleavages within WNC.

1. LEAD:WNC
2014 Regional Outlook Highlights

2. Three Editions, Three Components, Three Authors
• Supported by the Chancellor’s Division & the Public Policy Institute
• 2004, 2008, 2013
• Multiple Methods
o Demographic Analysis
o Public Opinion Survey
o Economic Assessment
• Kathleen Brennan, Anthropology & Sociology
• Chris Cooper, Political Science & Public Affairs
• Steve Ha, Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, & Economics

3. Western North Carolina

4. Quick Demographic Overview
• Overall Population Predictions
o NC growth > WNC growth > US growth (1990 – 2010)
o NC growth > US growth > WNC growth (2010 – 2030)

5. Quick Demographic Overview
• Senior Citizen Population Predictions
o NC growth > WNC growth > US growth (1990 – 2010)
o NC growth > US growth > WNC growth (2010 – 2030)

6. Quick Demographic Overview
• Latino Population Predictions
o WNC growth > NC growth > US growth (1990 – 2010)
o NC growth > WNC growth > US growth (2010 – 2030)

7. Public Opinion: Health Care

8. Public Opinion: Health Care

9. Public Opinion: Education

10. Public Opinion: Government

11. Public Opinion: Government

12. Public Opinion: Economy

13. Public Opinion: Economy

14. Public Opinion: Economy

15. Public Opinion: Economy

16. Cleavages to Consider
• Buncombe County vs. Everyone Else in WNC
• WNC Natives vs. In-Migrants