Sussex is Growing Quickly, Aging Quickly, Preparing Quicker

It’s not secret that Sussex’s population is rapidly growing, but when compared to other communities in Waukesha County, the village is also aging quickly.

The number of residents in Sussex grew by more than 19 percent between 2000 and 2010, a rate more than double than the county average. However, during that same period of time, the village’s population of residents 60 and older increased by 50 percent.

According to Jeremy Smith, the village administrator, an increase in the senior population is just a function of reality. He thinks Sussex is a well-rounded community for any age, also making it a prime place to grow old.

“There is certainly evidence of our programs and housing ,” Smith said. “And I think it’s become a wonderful community to age in. Some people have lived their whole lives here, and some people move here, but really, if you enjoy living someplace, we’ll see those trends growing.”

...During that same period of time, the village’s population residents 60 and older increased by 50 percent.

The trends have prompted village officials to , a move that “shocked” Parks and Recreation Director Amy Flaherty.

“I keep talking with other communities that are dealing with cuts, so it’s nice that they budgeted wisely and made this money available,” Flaherty said. “One of the village’s goals was to increase senior programming in 2012, and they came to us to do that.”

Sussex’s 2012 village budget includes $5,000 for a part-time staffer to take care of additional senior programming needs, and $4,400 to print and mail the events brochure to everyone in Sussex, Lisbon, Lannon and parts of Richfield.

With the surrounding communities experiencing similar increases in senior population, Flaherty said she thinks the Village Board saw the potential for a return on investment by adding additional senior programs.

And county experts jumped on the movement as well. Mary Check Smith, the Nutrition and Aging Services supervisor in Waukesha County, says an addition like this for Sussex means a lot to the aging population.

“Sussex has the advantage of recognizing the needs of people at different age levels, and they not only put it in a plan, they staff for it.”

“In Sussex, because there isn’t a lot of senior housing providing tons of activities, the rec department does a great job adding senior programming and doing things for seniors,” Check Smith said. “The county has been collaborating with Sussex for a while, and it’s phenomenal.”

Although there’s admittedly room for improvement, like more senior housing and additional services, Smith says its changes like increasing senior programming that retains the older population.

Roger Johnson, a member of the Senior Advisory Committee and former village trustee, agrees Sussex is the perfect place to grow old. As a 76-year-old Sussex resident, Johnson says maintaining the village’s charm has contributed to Sussex’s senior retention.

“We’ve retained a friendly small town feeling even though we’ve grown from just over 2,000 people to 10,000,” Johnson said. “If you look at the village’s smart growth plan, it’s a goal for the village to stay this way, and it makes Sussex a very comfortable place to age gracefully.”

While Johnson says he’s been “,” there’s no other senior-related improvements that specifically jump out at him.

“Sussex has the advantage of recognizing the needs of people at different age levels, and they not only put it in a plan, they staff for it.”

Population Change in Residents 60 and Older