Examining Evacuation Planning of Vulnerable Residents in Coastal Sussex County

Abstract

Older adults aged 65 and older (65+) are the fastest-growing demographic group in Delaware. In the coastal communities of Sussex County, older adults outnumber all other age cohorts. In-migration patterns of older adults retiring to the area were accelerated between 2020 and 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As early baby boomers begin to reach age 90 over the next decade, the growth in this population will peak in Sussex County (Delaware Population Consortium, 2024). However, the number of older adults will remain substantially higher than today, and the population of adults aged 85 and older will grow. This increase in the older adult population presents both opportunities and significant challenges to supporting their long-term needs with the required infrastructure and service delivery systems (O’Hanlon et al., 2022).