The Waning Influence of Housing Production on Public School Enrollment

A new research brief from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) examines the relationship between building permit activity and changes in school enrollment (2010 and 2016) in 234 muncipalities and finds no relationship between housing production rates and school enrollment growth rates.  It found that 159 of 234 local school districts and 43 of 51 regional school districts saw declines in enrollment.  Overall it found that urban districts are growing, while most suburbs are contracting.  Of the 12 fastest growing districts, enrollment growth far outpaced housing growth and only 3 had housing growth rates in excess of 5%.