Travis AFB Sustainability Study Report Final Background Report | Page 42
2.2
TSS Study Area Growth Trends
agriculture, corporate business, and pleasant lifestyle to enhance the
attractiveness of the region.
It is important to examine past, current, and future growth trends to
understand the types and amount of growth and development occurring in
the Study Area. Identifying growth patterns for the area surrounding
Travis AFB is one step in determining potential future compatibility issues or
areas of concern associated with where new growth may occur that could
impact or be impacted by military operations. This section assesses the
recent and projected future population changes within the TSS Study Area,
as well as housing trends that could be indicators of future growth.
The City of Fairfield saw the largest growth between 2000 and 2010,
increasing by 10 percent, about the same rate as the state. The City of
Vacaville saw the slowest percentage growth between 2000 and 2010. Due
to the County’s orderly growth ordinance, most growth is within
incorporated cities.
Figure 2‐1 illustrates the population densities in the TSS Study Area in 2000
and Figure 2‐2 shows the change in densities in 2010. These figures are
both presented to show the growth and density of areas within the
TSS Study Area. A comparison of the two maps shows that the cities of
Fairfield, Suisun City, and Vacaville are growing and are seeing increased
density within the cities, especially within eastern Suisun City and northeast
Fairfield. If this trend continues consistently for the next several decades,
then there will be more people living closer to Travis AFB, although City and
County policies prevent encroachment into sensitive areas near the Base.
Population
Population data is based on the 2016 estimates provided by the
California Department of Finance and data from the US Census. Population
numbers show the growth or decline in people in a geographical area.
Population is a major factor for the economy of the Study Area and
ultimately supports the employment and housing opportunities. The
following information provides an overview of the changes in population in
the TSS Study Area from 2000 to 2010.
Table 2‐1 shows the population projections for the TSS communities. Of the
cities within the immediate vicinity of Travis AFB, Vallejo had the highest
population in 2016, with an estimated 117,322 people, and is projected to
increase by three percent by the year 2020. Fairfield, the second largest city
in the Study Area, is expected to grow at more than double the rate (seven
percent). Suisun City, the city with the smallest estimated population in
2016, is expected to grow at the same rate as Vacaville, by eight percent.
Except for Vallejo, these cities have higher projected growth rates than
Solano County and the State of California by 2020, but by 2030, they are all
projected to be lower than the State, while Solano County as a whole is
projected to grow at a greater rate than the State.
Table 2‐1 shows the 2000 and 2010 census totals and percent change in
populations of jurisdictions within the TSS Study Area. The table also shows
the percentage change from the 2010 census total to the 2016 estimate.
All jurisdictions within the TSS Study Area saw an increase in their population
levels, with the cities of Fairfield and Suisun City seeing the largest
percentage growth from 2000 to 2010. The City of Fairfield also saw the
largest percentage growth from 2010 to 2016. Solano County’s location
(situated midway between San Francisco and Sacramento and adjacent to
Napa), mild climate, and open space has helped to drive this population
increase. The jurisdictions in the area have worked to achieve a blend of
Page 2‐8
Community Profile