Demographic Profile
The city of Bayard is located within the county of Guthrie with a population of 532 persons according to the 1990 US census. A non-farming rural community, its population is predominantly white with nonwhite constituting less than 1 percent. The profile of Bayard is not too different from that of many other small non-farming rural communities in the state of Iowa. It lost nearly 16 percent of its population from 1980 to 1990. This steady decline in population and out-migration is typical of many other small cities in the state. This steady population loss impacts local small businesses, quality of life and the population dynamics of the community. For Bayard, the population decline is more critical given that from 1980 to 1990, the working age cohort, 18-64 age group registered a 16 percent decline. This means that the young and able are out-migrating living behind a community that is less able to grow, a declining tax base and a population that is increasingly elderly. HAVE YOU INCLUDED A TABLE THAT INCLUDES THESE NUMBERS?

As can be seen from Figure 1, in 1980, 294 residents were in the age cohort of 18-64 which is considered the working age. This age cohort productive and forms the labor pool of the economic life of a community. THIS SENTENCE NEEDS TO BE REWRITTEN ... For Bayard, 1990, the number in this age cohort declined to 246, almost 16 percent decline. When this age cohort is desegregated into 18-44 and 45-64, the data shows that the reproductive age group, 18-44, lost 18 percent of its population within a-10-year period. The 45-64 cohort lost 14 percent. It appears that the younger residents are more likely to migrate in search of better opportunities and amenities in urban areas both within the state and outside the state.

Length of Residency
For years of residence in the community, about 42 percent of the adults in Bayard have lived there for at least 30 years. About 16 percent have lived in the community for less than 10 years. For those residents who are 40-years-and -over, 45 percent of them have lived there for at least 30 years. Years of residence is therefore associated with the age of the residents in the community. Nearly six out of every ten adult in this community have lived in their current neighborhood for at least 30 years. This shows that there is some mobility of residence within Bayard.

According to US Census, Bayards’ population in 1990 shows that 53 percent were female and 47 percent were male. In 1980, the it was 55 percent female and 45 percent male. This shows a marginal gain in population by the female subgroup. This gain or increase is more within the elderly population. For the 65-plus age group, from 1980 to 1990, the there was a percentage gain by the female population. The median age of this community is 52 years in 1990 while in 1980, it was 43.

Approximately, 35 percent of its population is considered senior, that is, they constitute the age group of 65-plus. For the city of Bayard, more than one out of every three citizen is already a senior citizen. When the age cohort 44-64 is combined with the 65-plus, the percentage increases to almost 55. This senior citizen age group and the next cohort will impact the housing needs of this community with time. THE "NEXT COHORT" THAT YOU REFER TO IS THE PRERETIREMENT GROUP, 55 YRS. AND OVER.

From Figure 3 it can be seen that for the age cohort 0-17, 165 residents were in this age category in 1980 compared to 101 residents in 1990. The decrease here is very steep and substantial. It is possible that this loss is associated with fertility decline combined with out-migration of the younger families who have less social ties in the community. The city of Bayard lost almost 40 percent of its residents in this age category in the period under study. The reverse is the case for the 65-plus, which had an increase of 7 persons.

When asked reasons for living in this community, half of the residents identified growing up in Bayard as a major reason. Only 4 percent and 26 percent identified care for an aging relative or affordable housing as reasons for living in the community. However, 46 percent chose closeness to relatives and in-laws as reason for living in the community.

Table 2.1. Population characteristics of the city of Bayard

Population characteristics	1980	1990
Total persons	637	532
Median age	43	52
Total number of males	290	250
Total number of females	347	282
White population	637	525
Others, nonwhite	0	7
Persons 0 - 17 age group	165	101
Persons 18 - 44 age group	169	138
Persons 45 - 64 age group	125	108
Persons 60 - 64 age group	40	25
Persons 65+ age group	178	185
Persons 85+ age group	32	35
Female, divorced/widowed	95	76
Male, divorced/widowed	27	32

THE TABLE ABOVE IS VERY GOOD; ADD A THIRD COLUMN THAT INCLUDES PERCENT CHANGE FROM 1980 TO 1990.

Housing
The housing stock showed a decrease of 23 units from 1980 to 1990. Older housing stock will require modifications and remodeling so as to meet the needs of the seniors increasingly with time. Other housing strategies will need to be adopted in order to address the needs and concerns of this age cohort of the population. Future home constructions will also be designed with the needs of this age group in mind.

Total Housing Units
There was a net decrease in Bayard of 23 housing units from 1980 to 1990. In 1990, the total number of housing units were 251. This reduction in the housing stock of the city is as a result of very few new homes being constructed. NO, THE REDUCTION IN ACTUAL NUMBERS MUST BE DUE TO DEMOLITION. THE REDUCTION IN TOTAL NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS DOES NOT TELL US ANYTHING ABOUT THE NUMBER OF HOUSES CONSTRUCTED. Construction of moderate-priced homes is not considered profitable by many developers in many small towns in Iowa. This is because of the prevailing low rents and the low income of the residents.

Type of Housing Units
Of the 251 total housing units, 205 units were of single family detached home. This represents nearly 82 percent. Owner occupied units numbered 177 units while renter occupied units were 47. Almost 52 percent of all the housing stock in the city were built before 1940. Age of housing stock is one of the indicators of the quality and condition of the housing stock. This high percentage of an aging stock demonstrates the low construction activities in this housing market.

Pricing of Housing
The median value of owner-occupied housing unit in Bayard for 1990 was $16,400. In 1980, the value was $21,500. Between 1980 and 1990, the median value of owner-occupied housing unit decreased by $4,100.

Vacancy Rate
In 1990, the census-determined vacancy rate for the city of Bayard was 10.8 percent. It is possible that this vacancy rate is a little lower than the actual rate indicating a tighter housing market.

Table 2.2. Housing Characteristics of Bayard

Housing characteristics	1980	1990
Total housing units	274	251
Occupied housing units	253	224
Vacant housing units	21	27
Owner occupied housing units		177
Renter occupied housing units	64	47
Single family units		205
Median year built		1939
Units built before 1940		132
Median value, owner units	$21,500	$16,400
Median gross rent	$85	$254

I PRESUME THE CELLS THAT ARE MISSING WERE UNAVAILABLE, BUT THIS SEEMS UNLIKELY.

Demographic Profile
The city of Guthrie Center is located within the county of Guthrie with a population of 1614 persons according to the 1990 US census. A non-farming rural community, its population is predominantly white with nonwhite constituting less than 1 percent. The profile of Guthrie center is not too different from that of many other small non-farming rural communities in the state of Iowa. It lost nearly 6 percent of its population from 1980 to 1990.

This steady decline in population and out-migration is typical of many other small cities in the state. This steady population loss impacts local small businesses, quality of life and the population dynamics of the community. For Guthrie Center, the population decline was most for the age cohort 45-64 which sustained a 27 percent loss from 1980 to 1990. The working age cohort, 18-64 age group registered a 9 percent decline over the same period of time. This means that the young and able are out-migrating living behind a community that is less able to grow, a declining tax base and a population that is increasingly elderly.

As can be seen from Figure 1, in 1980, 814 residents were in the age cohort of 18-64 which is considered the working age. This age cohort productive and forms the labor pool of the economic life of a community. THE PREVIOUS SENTENCE IS UNCLEAR AND NEEDS REWRITING. For Guthrie Center, in 1990, the number in this age cohort declined to 739, almost 9 percent decline. When this age cohort is desegregated into 18-44 and 45-64, the data shows that the reproductive age group, 18-44, had a 7 percent gain in population within a-10-year period. The 45-64 cohort lost 27 percent. It appears that this later age cohort is making the decision to migrate in search of better opportunities and amenities in urban areas both within the state and outside the state.

YOUR CONCLUSION HERE IS NOT ENTIRELY ACCURATE, GIVEN THE 7% GAIN IN THE AGE GROUP 18 TO 44 YEARS. I THINK, PERHAPS YOU WERE COPYING TO CLOSELY YOUR FORMAT FROM BAYARD?

According to US Census, Guthrie Center’s population in 1990 shows that 56 percent were female and 44 percent were male. In 1980, the it was 58 percent female and 42 percent male. This shows a marginal loss in population by the female subgroup. The elderly population had very little increase in population. Actually, this subgroup declined by 3 from 1980 to 1980. The median age of this community was 45 years in 1990 while in 1980, it was 48.

This city has a median age that is comparably younger than what is prevalent in the state. Approximately, 32 percent of its population is considered senior, that is, they constitute the age group of 65-plus. For the city of Guthrie Center, nearly one out of every three citizen is already a senior citizen. When the age cohort 44-64 is combined with the 65-plus, the percentage increases to almost 50. This senior citizen age group and the next cohort will impact the housing needs of this community with time.

From Figure 3 it can be seen that for the age cohort 0-17, 384 residents were in this age category in 1980 compared to 363 residents in 1990. The decrease here is not steep and substantial. For the age cohort 18-64, there was a slight decline in population for this group, 79 persons. For Guthrie Center, almost one out of every three female resident is either divorced or widowed compared to one out of every ten for the male population. This needs to be considered in the housing needs of the city.

Most residents of this city identified growing up here as a reason for choosing to live here. Other reasons were identified as care for an aging relative or affordable housing as reasons for living in the community. THIS PARAGRAPH SEEMS VERY ODD AND OUT OF CHARACTER GIVEN THE DESCRIPTION OF CENSUS DATA TO THIS POINT. IF YOU WANTED TO USE A DIFFERENT SOURCE OF INFORMATION, YOU PROBABLY SHOULD CREATE A SUBHEADING AND REPORT ON INFORMATION FROM OTHER SOURCES.

Table 2.3. Population characteristics, Guthrie Center

Population characteristics	1980	1990
Total persons	1713	1614
Median age	48	45
Total number of males	723	704
Total number of females	990	910
White population	1707	1603
Others, nonwhite	6	11
Persons 0 - 17 age group	384	363
Persons 18 - 44 age group	423	452
Persons 45 - 64 age group	391	287
Persons 60 - 64 age group	115	92
Persons 65+ age group	515	512
Persons 85+ age group	89	53
Female, divorced/widowed	288	279
Male, divorced/widowed	44	62

Housing Assessment
The housing stock showed a decrease of 26 units from 1980 to 1990. Older housing stock will require modifications and remodeling so as to meet the needs of the seniors increasingly with time. Other housing strategies will need to be adopted in order to address the needs and concerns of this age cohort of the population. Future home constructions will also be designed with the needs of this age group in mind.

Total Housing Units
There was a net decrease of 26 housing units from 1980 to 1990. In 1990, the total number of housing units were 808. This reduction in the housing stock of the city is as a result of very few new homes being constructed. Construction of moderate-priced homes is not considered profitable by many developers in many small towns in Iowa. This is because of the prevailing low rents and the low income of the residents.

Type of Housing Units
Of the 808 total housing units, 683 units were of single family detached home. This represents nearly 85 percent. Owner occupied units numbered 527units while renter occupied units were 190. For the city of Guthrie center, the median year that its housing stock were built were 1946. Almost 45 percent of its housing stock were built before 1940. Age of housing stock is one of the indicators of the quality and condition of the housing stock. This high percentage of an aging stock demonstrates the low construction activities in this housing market.

Pricing of Housing
The median value of owner-occupied housing unit in Guthrie center for 1990 was $27,500. In 1980, the value was $27,700. For comparison purpose, the median value of owner-occupied housing in non-metro counties was $38,500 in 1990.THE COMPARISON YOU ARE MAKING HERE IS UNCLEAR; IS THIS ALL NONMETRO COUNTIES IN IOWA?

Vacancy Rate
In 1990, the census-determined vacancy rate for the city of Guthrie center was 11 percent. It is possible that this vacancy rate is a little lower than the actual rate indicating a tighter housing market. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Rehabilitation Needs
A common need that may exist in this community is the need for housing rehabilitation and remodeling. The combination of an older housing stock as indicated from the 1990 census data and an unwillingness to invest in home maintenance or improvement perpetuates this condition. IT IS LIKELY TO BE UNWILLINGNESS OR INABILITY (GIVEN FINANCIAL AND PERSONAL RESOURCES)?

Table 2.4. Housing Characteristics, Guthrie Center

Housing characteristics	1980	1990
Total housing units	834	808
Occupied housing units	761	717
Vacant housing units	71	91
Owner occupied housing units	578	527
Renter occupied housing units	183	190
Single family units	715	683
Median year built		1946
Units built before 1940		363
Median value, owner units	$27,500	$27,700
Median gross rent	$114	$284

THIS SECTION IS VERY WELL DONE. EACH TABLE AND FIGURE NEEDS TO CITE SOURCES, OR THERE NEEDS TO BE A BLANKET STATEMENT IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SECTION THAT ALL NUMBERS ARE TAKEN FROM… THEN, OF COURSE, THESE CITATIONS MUST APPEAR IN THE BIBLIOGRAPHY.

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