Rural Johnson County is changing. Over the next decade, the population in our small towns and unincorporated areas is projected to grow by over 700 households, triggering demand for at least 950 new housing units to meet that growth and ease existing pressures.
The preliminary report based on a recent housing study commissioned by Johnson County confirms what many local leaders have sensed for years: the housing stock outside the metro core is too limited in both type and price range. Most homes are large, owner-occupied single-family units which are great for some, but a poor fit for the growing number of seniors who want to downsize or residents who are looking to rent before they buy.
At the same time, income trends are shifting. We’re seeing growth at both the high and low ends of the income spectrum, while middle-income households, often the backbone of the rural workforce, are getting squeezed out of options. Add in aging infrastructure and long development timelines, and it’s clear that meeting this moment will require smart, proactive planning.
What can we do?
- Focus growth where it’s already planned. Priority areas from the county’s 2022 Economic Development Plan offer a head start with infrastructure, zoning, and service access already in place or within reach.
- Support a mix of housing types. Townhomes, small-lot single-family, and rental units can provide entry points for a wider range of residents without changing the character of our rural communities.
- Plan for people, not just parcels. As family structures shift and more seniors live alone, the demand for right-sized, accessible housing will only grow.
Rural Johnson County doesn’t need to grow for growth’s sake, but it can grow intentionally, in ways that support our schools, small businesses, and overall economic health. That means working together as residents, local governments, and private developers to deliver housing options that match who we are and who we want to be.
