Res 2024-045 approving the 2024 City of San Marcos Hazards Mitigation Action Plan (“HMAP”)

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SECTION 3: CITY PROFILE Table 3-1. City of San Marcos Vulnerable and Sensitive Populations, 2021 64,812 2,408 3.7% 6,034 9.3% 30.6% 28.3% POPULATION GROWTH The official 2020 City of San Marcos population is 67,553. Overall, the City of San Marcos experienced an increase in population between 1980 and 2020 of 188 percent, or an increase of 44,133 residents. The city continued to have population growth between 2010 and 2020 by 50 percent, or 22,659 residents. Table 3-2 provides historic growth rates in the City of San Marcos. Population growth since the last plan was considered when updating this plan. A larger population means an increase in vulnerability as well as a growth in vulnerable populations. Table 3-2. Population for City of San Marcos, 1980-2020 23,420 28,738 34,733 44,894 67,553 44,133 188% 22,659 50% NATURAL, CULTURAL, AND HISTORIC RESOURCES Natural resources are crucial for a functioning environment as well as providing many benefits in the overall reduction of the impacts of natural hazards. Protection of these natural resources is important to consider when identifying mitigation projects and may be used to leverage additional funding for projects that not only contribute to this plan's goals, but also provide for protection of sensitive natural resources. For instance, protecting wetland areas protects sensitive habitat as well as attenuates and stores floodwaters, increasing tree canopy coverage helps reduce the impacts of extreme heat and pollution, and protecting and planting native vegetation over invasive species helps reduce water usage and the impacts of drought. Throughout the planning area, the City of San Marcos maintains many natural environments and assets. The city has 28 parks consisting of over 450 acres of parkland, as well as 17 designated natural areas. These natural areas contain over 2,100 acres of greenspace, over 28 miles of trails, and are home to many species of wildlife and vegetation. 2 The Estimated Vulnerable or Sensitive Populations are based off the 2021 American Community Survey 5 -Year Estimates Data Profiles. City of San Marcos I Hazard Mitigation Action Plan Update 2024 1 Page 4