Dormont's Population Declined 7.7% from 2000-2010

Dormont’s population declined by 712 people — nearly 7.7 percent — to 8,593 between 2000 and 2010, according to U.S. Census figures.

The numbers reflect a continued population decline in Allegheny County and much of Western Pennsylvania, with the exception of Butler and Washington counties, which saw growth.

Allegheny's population decreased by about 4.6 percent to 1,223,348 over the decade.

The numbers aren’t surprising to Ian McMeans, Dormont’s assistant manager, and Jim Cromie, Keystone Oaks School District spokesman.

If anything, McMeans said Tuesday, he was surprised the population loss wasn't greater.

Estimates from the Census’ American Community Survey in 2005 and 2008 had indicated a greater downward trend, he said.

“I was surprised that this number (8,593) was as high, because it might mean that out population wasn’t declining as much as we thought it was,” he said. Or the number could mean the borough’s population is on the rebound.

More young professionals have been moving into the borough, he added.

The three municipalities that make up the Keystone Oaks School District — Dormont, Green Tree and Castle Shannon — went from 22,580 residents in 2000 to 21,341 in 2010.

That’s a loss of 1,239 residents, or about 5.5 percent.

Cromie said those numbers are similar to what its demographic studies have shown.

And with essentially built-out communities, there’s little opportunity to increase the tax base, he said.

“In November we made a commitment to our residents to maintain our current five building configuration. That commitment has not changed,” he said. “However that does not change the fact that our costs continue to rise while our student population and tax base continue to decline."

Looking further into the numbers reveals Dormont remains largely homogenous with whites making up 94.2 percent of its population. That percentage is down slightly from 2000 when whites made up 96.1 percent of its population.

Numbering 181, blacks make up just 2.1 percent of Dormont’s population, though the percentage doubled from the 2000 census hen 99 blacks were counted.

The borough’s Hispanic population more than doubled in terms of percent, going from 1.1 percent to 2.5 percent. Hispanics account for 214 of Dormont’s residents, up from 99 in the last census.

Its Asian population, as a percent, remained essentially unchanged, going from 1.6 to 1.5 percent. In numbers, the borough’s Asian population decreased from 152 to 132 residents.