County Demographics: Reaching Out to Seniors

A new “snapshot” study shines the spotlight on Travis County demographic trends, both good and bad.

At Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting, the county’s Research and Planning Division explained that the user-friendly “Travis County Snapshot from the American Community Survey 2006” distills information pertinent to the county from the unwieldy parent study. Welcome news is that the county’s population is more educated than most. Disconcerting, however, are the study’s revelations that since 1999, the median income has dropped in Travis County nearly $6,000, and poverty rates have risen as they have fallen in the state.

But apparently the county’s also working to buffer negative trends. Meals on Wheels and More is teaming up with the Travis County Tax Office to notify residents who are over 65 that they may qualify for significant tax exemptions. “The Travis County tax department may owe you money,” a MOWAM press release states. According to Dan Pruett, MOWAM CEO, “Many clients are homebound, elderly, disabled, and live in poverty. [We can] deliver important financial information along with a nutritious meal.” Check out the snapshot report at www.co.travis.tx.us/health_human_services/research_planning/publications.asp.