SEQUIM — A projection pins the Sequim-area population in 2025 at almost 30,000 people — an increase of more than 275 percent over the current population, according to the city of Sequim.
The population studies, presented at Wednesday’s City Council work session, are part of an update to the city’s comprehensive plan and are intended to help city leaders plan for future needs.
Though that number predicts continued and steep growth, one council member said the population could go higher.
“I think the numbers are light,” Councilman Bill Huizinga said.
City, growth area included
The projections, created by Capital Projects Manager Frank Needham, include only the city of Sequim and its urban growth area, Huizinga said, and there is more development taking place adjacent to the urban growth area, such as Bell Hill and Happy Valley.
The projections also assume that the growth rate in Sequim — which has been about 4.3 percent since 1997 — will stay approximately the same.
From 1996 to 2004, the population in Sequim and its urban growth area increased to almost 8,000 people, an increase of 37 percent from 1996’s 5,825 residents.
