CHAPTER 3

BIRTH PATTERNS

 

            The annual number of resident births in the Bellefonte Area School District, which is of vital importance in the planning process, was slightly higher in the 1980s (on average) than in the 1970s, but the average for the 1990s is virtually unchanged from the 1980s.  Between 1990 and 1998 annual births in the district averaged 263.  This is 1 birth (0.4 percent) higher than the average for the 1980s which, in turn, was 5 births or 1.9 percent higher than the average number of annual births for the period 1970 to 1979 (257).  The average for the 1990s (263) is 6 births (2.3 percent) higher than the average for the period 1980 to 1984 (257) but 4 births (1.5 percent) lower than the average for the period 1985 to 1989 (267).  The overall annual average between 1970 and 1998 is 261 births.

            The number of births in the district increased in 13 of the past 28 years but in just four of the years during this decade; in fact, decreases were recorded in three of the past four years.  During the period 1990 through 1994, births in the district averaged 273; between 1995 and 1998 the average was down to 250.  The preliminary birth figure for 1998 (245) was the third lowest of this decade, 18 or 6.8 percent lower than the average for the 1990s, and 17 or 6.5 percent lower than the average for the 1980s.  Births during the review period were at their highest level in 1970 (307); their lowest level (223) was in 1976.  (See Table 3-1 and Graph 3-1.)

            Births in the Bellefonte Area School District as a percentage of Centre County’s births averaged 19.4 percent during the 1990s; this is up slightly from the average of 19.3 percent for the period 1980 to 1989 and 19.0 percent from 1970 to 1979.  As in the case of the Bellefonte Area School District, births in Centre County were lower in 1998 than in 1980 (by 71 or 5.4 percent); lower in 1998 than 1990 (by 279 or 18.3 percent); and lower in 1998 than in 1970 (by 543 or 30.4 percent).

            Statewide, births declined in seven consecutive years (through 1997) after having risen fairly consistently since the mid-1970s.  The preliminary figure for 1998, however, shows a slight increase (1.1 percent).  Nationally, births decreased in each year from 1991 through 1997, when they hit their lowest level since 1987.  Figures for 1998 suggest a slight increase.

 

            Births in Bellefonte Borough averaged 98 yearly or 37.8 percent of all district births during the 1970s.  In the 1980s the average was down to 91, and the borough’s proportionate share decreased to 34.8 percent.  The average for the first half of the 1980s totaled 90 or 34.8 percent; during the second half of the decade the absolute average rose to 92, while its proportionate share dropped slightly to 34.7 percent of all district births.   Bellefonte Borough’s average is 92 or 35.1 percent of all district births during the 1990s.  Between 1990 and 1994 the average was 98; however, for the period 1995 through the preliminary 1998 figure the average is down to 85.  The preliminary figure for 1998 reveals that the borough accounted for 83 births or 33.9 percent of all the district total.

            During the decade of the 1970s, births in Benner Township averaged 41 or 16.0 percent of all district births; during the 1980s the average was up to 47 or 18.0 percent.  The average for the period 1980 to 1984 was 44 births per year or 17.2 percent of district births; the average for the period 1985 to 1989 was 51 or 18.9 percent.  The average for the 1990s is down to 39 or 14.8 percent.  Between 1990 and 1994 the average was 43; for the period 1995 through the preliminary 1998 figure the average is 34.  The preliminary figure for 1998 indicates that Benner Township generated 27 or 11.0 percent of all dis­trict births.                                                 

            Births in Marion Township during the 1970s averaged 10 or 3.8 percent of all district births.  During the 1980s the average rose to 11 and the proportionate share grew to 4.3 percent.  During the first half of the 1980s the average was 10 or 3.7 percent of all births.  Marion Township’s share of all district births during the second half of the 1980s was 13, and its proportionate share increased to 4.8 percent.  Marion Township’s average during the 1990s is 17 or 6.6 percent of all district births.  Between 1990 and 1994 the average was 14; for the period 1995 through the preliminary 1998 figure the average is up to 21.  The preliminary figure for 1998 reveals that it accounted for 22 or 9.0 percent of all district births. 

            Birth in Spring Township averaged 73 yearly or 28.2 percent of all district births during the 1970s.  In the 1980s the average was up to 78, and the township’s proportionate share increased to 29.7 percent.  The average for the first half of the 1980s totaled 77 or 29.8 percent; during the second half of the decade the absolute average rose to 79, but the proportionate share fell to 29.6 percent of all district births.  Spring Township’s average is down further to 76 or 29.0 percent of all district births during the 1990s.  Between 1990 and 1994 the average was 79; for the period 1995 though the preliminary 1998 figure the average is 73.  The preliminary figure for 1998 reveals that the township accounted for 75 or 30.6 percent of all district births.

            During the decade of the 1970s, births in Walker Township averaged 36 or 14.1 percent of all district births; during the 1980s the average was 35 or 13.2 percent.  The average for the period 1980 to 1984 was 37 births per year or 14.5 percent of all district births; the average for the period 1985 to 1989 was 32 or 12.0 percent of the total.  The average for the 1990s is 38 or 14.5 percent.   Between 1990 and 1994 the average was 38; for the period 1995 through the preliminary 1998 figure the average was also 38.  The preliminary figure for 1998 indicates that Walker Township generated 38 or 14.5 percent of all district births.  (See Table 3-2.)

            A comparison of average births and proportionate share of total district births in the district’s five municipalities for the decades of the 1970s and 1980s reveals that in Benner, Marion, and Spring townships the average births per year and share of the district’s total share were higher during the 1980s than during the 1970s.  The number of births in Walker Township increased during the 1980s, but its proportionate share of total district births dropped slightly from the average for the 1970s.  Births in Bellefonte Borough were lower in the 1980s than during the 1970s in absolute numbers and as a proportion of all district births.

            A comparison of average annual births and proportionate share of total district births between the 1980s and 1990s shows that in Bellefonte Borough, Marion Township, and Walker Township the average births per year and share of total district births are higher in the 1990s than the 1980s.  In Benner and Spring townships the absolute and proportionate figures are lower in the 1990s when compared with the 1980s.