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might be a just right population for the county. Now, what is the number?
1.1 percent
Goldilocks is no slouch. Goldilocks suggests an annual growth rate, rather than a population figure. In fact, it's the growth rate of Virginia over the last decade. It's a reasonable rate.
But, let's start with the current situation in Rappahannock County. The 1999 estimated population of Rappahannock County, according to U.S. Census Bureau, was 7,664 people. The population of the county by the end of 2000 might be 8,000 people. Firm figures from the U.S. Census Bureau will not be available, in detail, under next spring. Is there some logic behind quoting an 8,000 figure now? Yes.
County real estate records for 1999 show close to 3,000 lots in Rappahannock County with an "improvement’’ on them worth $25,000 or more. Let's assume that the "improvement" is a house. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, there were 2.65 people, on average, in each house in Rappahannock County. Three thousand houses times 2.65 people per house results in a population of 7,950 people. Round it off to 8,000 people.
What if we looked at the additional buildable lots? That is, lots that have no houses on them now, but that could have a house built on them if they were sold tomorrow. This assumes a buildable lot has two acres or more, to support a well and a septic system.
There are about 1,655 such lots in Rappahannock County. If all 1,655 were sold, and 1,655 houses were built, with 2.65 people per house, we would add 4,386 people to the population. Eliminating unbuildable lots in flood plains, on steep slopes, or with scenic easements, the figure might drop down to 4,000 people.
Eight thousand current people, plus 4,000 new people, would give Rappahannock County a population of 12,000 people. Thus, without doing anything, just selling off all lots that could be put on the market tomorrow, and with no need for any subdivision, the population of the county could increase
85.3%