Unlocking Resilience (September 2010)
“Few can argue with the central premise of demographics – people get older one year at a time.” Arizonans are aging in interesting times. For example, 1-person households are on the rise, as are multi-generational households. Mobility is declining nationwide. Age at retirement is increasing after decades of decrease. Technology continues to remake work and communication. Workers increasingly expect to have multiple employers over a career and to retool their skills to stay competitive in a dynamic economy. Entrepreneurism and commitment to public service are increasing among young adults. In contrast, trust in government has reached its lowest point in decades. Public opinion continues to be polarized about most topics, but interest in supporting “people, place, and profit” simultaneously has gained ground too.