2011 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - Laserfiche WebLink

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-A SEH Characteristics of Population Table 3.1 summarizes selected characteristics of the population of Gem Lake and adjoining municipalities. The median age of Gem Lake residents is 37.5, which approximately two years older than the U.S. average of 35.3. Very similar is the age of both the City of White Bear Lake and White Bear Township residents, with the median age being 37.4 and 37.5 respectively. However, the City of Vadnais Heights is much closer to the national average at 35.9 years of age. The 2000 median family income level in Gem Lake ($82,909) was the highest of the adjacent communities. White Bear Township was the next closest at $79,171. Approximately 5.9 percent of the population within Gem Lake was viewed to be below the poverty line as defined by the 2000 U.S. Census. This is an increase over the 1990 level of 2.3 percent. This poverty line percentage in Gem Lake is higher than some adjoining communities. For instance, only 2.8 percent of citizens in White Bear Township live below the poverty level, with the highest percent of nearby populations below the poverty line being 4.4 percent (City of White Bear Lake). Table 3.1 - Selected Characteristics of the Population for Gem Lake and Contiguous Governmental Units Median 2000 Ages Ages Age Age Family Poverty Govt. Unit Gem Lake ... 419 25 56 292 46 $82,209 5.9% Vadnais 13,069 907 1,597 9,548 1,017 $74,178 3.2% Heights White Bear 24,325 1,474 1,006 18,295 3,550 $60,196 4.4% Lake White Bear 11,293 699 1,600 8,023 971 79,171 2.8% Twnshp Employment and Economic Base The City of Gem Lake currently has more job opportunities than the population could reasonably be expected to support (Table 3.2). The nature of commercial development and employment opportunities is generally geared to a trade area much larger than Gem Lake. Auto dealerships are the dominant commercial enterprises with `Highway Service" establishments, such as automotive or marine accessories or repair services constituting a large share of remaining commercial activity. Due to the City's small population, there is very little in the way of commercial development at this stage of the community's development geared to serving the resident population. Development of Region Serving Facilities Within in the last ten years, region serving facilities have continued to improve and expand in ways that help to shape, and sometimes accelerate development in and around the City of Gem Lake. Examples include the following: The interstate highway system located in close proximity to Gem Lake has been expanded to accommodate an ever increasing traffic volume. Interstate freeways I-694 and I-35E come together in the area, locating Gem Lake close to a major freeway interchange, with nearby on and off ramps. The two freeways are now part of a huge renovation project, 3.0 community development: trends and detriments I page 7