By Baylee Green
News Reporter
The San Marcos population has grown rapidly over the past 10 years and is predicted to see numbers rise at a high rate for the foreseeable future. 
San Marcos is bound to see a growth in population as a result of the increased admission rates at Texas State University, the addition of major businesses to the surrounding areas and many other factors. Space in San Marcos will run out if the city does not plan and adapt to successfully sustain the expansion.
“Previous growth trends showed San Marcos population increased by 55% from 2010 to 2019,” said San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson.
One of the main struggles San Marcos is facing due to the increase in population is problems with the roads. The San Marcos roads are struggling to support the number of cars and traffic flow through town. Hughson expresses that our growing population is evident in traffic, the long lines at traffic lights and the amount of time it takes to get through town.
“We are growing, and developers have to build the roads for their developments, but when they all come into town, those streets aren’t wider,” said Hughson.
Hughson feels that Texas State University and our San Marcos River attract visitors and are a major reason people decide to visit or move here. She said, “We are a great place to be!”
Mayor Hughson recognizes that to accommodate the growth in population new houses and apartment complexes will need to be built.
“We expect we will need between 42,000 and 54,000 ADDITIONAL housing units by the year 2050,” said Hughson. “That’s with an average of 2.26 people per household.”
Hughson says her plans to manage this growth are to simply see what experts recommend and what the San Marcos community wants and follow the San Marcos Comprehensive Plan that is to come within the early new year.
According to the San Marcos Government website, a comprehensive plan is put together to create goals and visions for the future of San Marcos. The comprehensive plan will layout out maps and guidelines that will be used to build more space for new members of the growing community. It is developed by a committee of local residents, business owners, property owners and many others.
The website says, “The comprehensive plan rewrite will create a visionary policy document that guides long-term decision-making for key components in San Marcos such as housing, the environment, economic development, transportation, and land use.”
The comprehensive plan steering committee has been working hard to create scenarios, weigh all their options, and take feedback to properly and successfully take on the major growth in San Marcos. The purpose of the plan is to fix problems that may arise with our growing population and to satisfy the needs of the community.
The city of San Marcos recognizes the need for new space and is working hard to implement it effectively.
To learn more about the growing population and the San Marcos comprehensive plan visit the San Marcos Government website.
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