COMMUNITY PROFILE

In order to establish a community profile of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, data has been collected from a variety of sources. These include, but are not limited to, the 1990 U.S. Census, the Sourcebook of Zip Code Demographics, the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce, the Wake County Planning Department, and the Wake County Public School System. Wake County and North Carolina data have been used in some areas for comparative purposes.

In 1990, the U.S. Census data identified 16,749 residents in Fuquay-Varina's zip code area (27526). According to the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce, the estimated population as of 1998 for the Fuquay-Varina zip code area was 22,483. The estimated population of the corporate limits of the town was 7,581 (Fuquay-Varina Area Chamber of Commerce, 1999). Population growth is a major concern among town leaders in Fuquay-Varina. Between 1990 and 1998, the town of Fuquay-Varina grew approximately twice as fast as Wake County (Table 4.1).

Sources: Wake County Planning Department, 1998/99
Fuquay-Varina Area Chamber of Commerce, 1999.

The Fuquay-Varina zip code area and Wake County are relatively similar in terms of racial makeup, except that Wake County has a slightly higher proportion of minorities. Fuquay-Varina and Wake County are experiencing similar changes in the proportions of all races in the population, excluding Latinos, for whom the Fuquay-Varina zip code area had a greater percentage increase between 1990 and 1998 (Table 4.2).

Note. The most recent population statistics for Fuquay-Varina are from 1998, while the most recent statistics for Wake County are from 1997.
Sources: Wake County Planning Department, 1998/99. Sourcebook of Zip Code Demographics, 1998.

The median (50th percentile) age of residents in the Fuquay-Varina zip code area as of 1998 was 33.8 years (Sourcebook of Zip Code Demographics, 1998). According to the Wake County Planning Department, 64.63% of the county's population was between the ages of 20 and 64 in 1997. However, for the Fuquay-Varina zip code area in 1998, the estimated percentage of the population between the ages of 20 and 64 was 59.8% (Fuquay-Varina Area Chamber of Commerce, 1999). Thus, compared to Wake County, the Fuquay-Varina zip code area has larger proportions of young and old people. Large concentrations of young and old people suggest that Fuquay-Varina may benefit from planning and infrastructure development in the areas of health and social services.

There were 5,851 households in Fuquay-Varina at the time of the 1990 U.S. Census, with an average household size of 2.68 persons. From 1990 to 1998, the number of households and families in the zip code area have increased at a similar rate (4.7% and 4.4% respectively), and the average household size has remained relatively constant (Table 4.3). Currently, according to the Fuquay-Varina Area Chamber of Commerce, single families are increasing at the rate of 6% per year, while multi-family homes are increasing at the rate of 10% per year (1999).

Note. Annual rate of change was 4.7% in 1990 and 4.4% in 1998.
Source: Fuquay-Varina Area Chamber of Commerce, 1999.

Since education as a resource can become a source of power for individuals as well as communities, any community profile requires an evaluation of educational systems and opportunities. Across North Carolina, the ABC statewide accountability program, having become a major focus of school districts, brings national recognition to the state for its efforts to quantify student performance and student growth accurately.

Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) serves over 89,000 students in grades K-12. Fuquay-Varina is served by WCPSS, as are Raleigh (the county seat), Apex, Cary, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, and Zebulon. In 1997-98, Wake County Public Schools operated 106 schools: 69 elementary schools, 20 middle schools, 13 high schools, and 4 alternative schools. It is the second largest school system in North Carolina, and the 33rd largest in the U.S (WCPSS, 1998).

Rapid growth has become a major issue throughout Wake County. The school system projects serving approximately 101,000 students by 2001. While new schools are currently being built, a recent bond referendum to fund additional construction failed, causing anxiety among some community members over what might happen without enough school space (WCPSS, 1998).

Fuquay-Varina has three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. All are traditional schools (not magnet, charter, or alternative). The majority of students in Fuquay-Varina attend a "base school" assigned by the school district depending on geographical residence. However, some students are assigned to different schools for accommodating special needs (WCPSS, 1998). In terms of growth, Fuquay-Varina schools, including Fuquay-Varina Elementary, Lincoln Heights Elementary, and Willow Springs Elementary, Fuquay-Varina Middle, and Fuquay-Varina High Schools, experienced growth ranging from -6.4% (Fuquay-Varina Elementary) to 19% (Lincoln Heights Elementary) from 1998-99 to 1999-2000 (WCPSS, 1999). In 1998, however, Lincoln Heights Elementary was slated for new classroom, administration, and ready-to-learn center additions, according to the Wake County Public School System Phase III A/ III B Building Program (WCPSS, 1997). According to the same plan, Fuquay-Varina Middle School and Fuquay-Varina High School were to undergo renovations in 1999, with the high school set to receive new classrooms and improved science, technology, art, home economics, and exceptional children facilities (WCPSS, 1997).

Standardized testing serves as the primary means for evaluating student performance and educational growth. Ultimately, schools receive a grade or rating, known as the school report card, from the state as a part of the ABC statewide accountability program each spring. The school report card is based on test scores with respect to goals set for each school each year. The End of Grade Tests or End of Course Tests (for high school courses), the 4th, 7th, and 10th grade writing tests, and the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) performance of those who take the test are the instruments used to evaluate and compare overall school performance (WCPSS, 1998). Tables 4.4 through 4.10 demonstrate the test results at the elementary, middle and high school levels for students in the Fuquay-Varina area compared with Wake County and the State.

Elementary School Results

Note. Students attaining scores of 3 or 4 are considered at or above grade level.
Source: Wake County Public School System, 1999.

Note. Scores of 2.5 or greater out of 4 are considered passing.
Source: Wake County Public School System, 1999.

Middle School Results

Source: Wake County Public School System, 1999.

*Note. Scores of 2.5 or greater out of 4 are considered passing.
Source: Wake County Public School System, 1999.

High School Results

*Note. Average scores based on 100 point scale.
Source: Wake County Public School System, 1999.

*Note. Scores of 3 or greater out of 4 are considered passing. Percentages shown are for students with passing scores.
Source: Wake County Public School System, 1999.

*Note. % Participation is the percent of students taking the test. Score is out of a possible 1600 points.
Source: Wake County Public School System, 1999.

The test results from 1998 and 1999 demonstrate that overall, Fuquay-Varina's students performed about the same or slightly below Wake County as a whole on grade-level tests. While there are clearly some problem areas, the data show that Fuquay-Varina's five main schools are achieving at least the expected growth standard as set by the State Board of Education. This is evident from the ABC report card ratings each school received in the spring of 1998 (Table 4.11).

Source: Wake County Public School System, 1999.

In the consideration of student performance in Wake County, it is important to note the increasing number of students whose first language is not English, and whose English proficiency is limited. As of October 1999, there were 86 English as a Second Language (ESL) students enrolled at Willow Springs Elementary School which serves the Fuquay-Varina area's elementary ESL students, 43 ESL students enrolled at North Garner Middle School, which serves Fuquay-Varina as a middle school ESL site, and 46 ESL students at Garner High School, the ESL base for Fuquay-Varina's high school students (T. Hart, personal communication, October 14,1999). According to district policy, students do not have to take state-mandated tests for the first two years they are enrolled in WCPSS if their language proficiency level is low. After the grace period, though, students do have to take all grade-level, state-mandated tests, and their scores are considered in schools' composite scores (T. Hart, personal communication, October 14, 1999). The academic, social, and emotional needs of these students and their families pose new challenges for this growing school system.

A more traditional problem evident in Fuquay-Varina is significant disparity between test scores of white students and black students (Table 4.12). It will be important to pursue a better understanding of why the drastic differences exist. An examination of scores by socioeconomic status may provide a relevant contrast or context within which to examine disparity by race. However, in the data which is currently available, such a breakdown does not exist.

Source: Wake County Public School System, 1999.

The dropout rate at Fuquay-Varina High School for 1996-97 was 4.4%. At Garner High School, the school which serves ESL students, the dropout rate was 5.2% for 1996-97. Twelve percent of the students at Fuquay-Varina High School receive free or reduced lunch (WCPSS, 1999).

Educational attainment data for Fuquay-Varina zip code area from the 1990 U.S. Census shows that the majority of residents 18 and over have a high school diploma or some college (Table 4.13). A more recent estimate from the Chamber of Commerce suggests that approximately 17% of Fuquay-Varina residents over 18 have a bachelor's or graduate degree. (Fuquay-Varina Area Chamber of Commerce, 1999c). Given that Wake County Public Schools reported that 84% of its 4,000 graduates in 1997 planned to pursue postsecondary education, plus the fact that Fuquay-Varina's town leaders are focusing on professional development within the town, we can expect to see a shift in the future towards higher educational attainment (WCPSS, 1998).

Source: United States Census, 1990.

Income levels, poverty status, and employment often help paint a picture of what life is like in a community. These indicators may offer insight into the balance of power in the community, as well as the overall quality of life there.

The mean (average) income in Fuquay-Varina in 1998 was $61,529, and the median (50th percentile) annual household income was $48,948. The median income is projected to increase to $51,125 by 2003. In 1998, 26.5% of households reported incomes of $25,000 or less. However, 35.3% had incomes ranging from $25,000 to $49,000, and 32.9% have incomes from $50,000 to $99,999 (Fuquay-Varina Area Chamber of Commerce, 1999b).

According to the 1990 U.S. Census, 1,454 people were living in poverty in Fuquay-Varina. Of these, 343 were under the age of 12. There were 98 two-parent families and 135 single-parent families with children living in poverty. The number of white residents living in poverty was 781 (21.8% of total white population in 1990), while the number of black people living in poverty was 595 (73.5% of total black population in 1990). However, in 1990, black people made up 18.2% of the overall population, while white people made up 80.5% (1990 U.S. Census). Also, at the time of the census, 32.7% of older adults were considered to be living in poverty. These statistics suggest that populations of minorities (in general), children, young families, and the elderly should be carefully examined in the health section in evaluating their access to health care and the services they need.

According to 1998 Chamber of Commerce data, the unemployment rate in Fuquay-Varina was 1.8%. As of 1995, 5,719 people were thought to be employed within the town limits. By 2005, the Chamber of Commerce predicts that over 7,000 people will be employed in town, and by 2025, that figure is expected to top 17,000. At present, chief occupations include labor, tradesmanship, and administrative services. However, with the approval of over 367,000 square feet of commercial, office, and instructional building space to be constructed, Fuquay-Varina is likely to experience a shift in its labor market (Fuquay-Varina Area Chamber of Commerce, 1999).

One aspect of employment which may not emerge in the data is the influx of Latino migrant farmworkers and laborers. Due to language barriers, immigration regulations, and frequent use of temporary or shared housing, it is difficult to ascertain how much this actually affects the labor market. However, given the increasing numbers of Latino children in the school system and the increasing amount of media attention given to the issue, we can surmise that the presence of Latino workers is significantly impacting the community.

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