U.S. Population Goes Coastal

Every day 1,500 new homes rise along the U.S. coastline. National Geographic asks, "Are America's coastlines are in danger of being loved to death?"

2 minute read

July 12, 2006, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Call it the Jimmy Buffett syndrome. Every week more than 3,300 new residents land in southern California, while another 4,800 hit Florida's shores. Every day 1,500 new homes rise along the U.S. coastline. More than half the nation's population now lives in coastal counties, which amount to only 17 percent of the land in the lower 48.

In 2003 coastal watersheds generated over six trillion dollars, more than half the national economy, making them among our most valuable assets. Yet two blue-ribbon bipartisan panelsâ€"the Pew Oceans Commission and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, convened by the Pew Trusts and the U.S. Congress, respectivelyâ€"recently issued disturbing reports that found the coasts are being battered by an array of pollution and population pressures. Former Secretary of Energy Adm. James D. Watkinsâ€"not exactly a wild-eyed environmentalistâ€"chaired the U.S. commission and laid it out for Congress:

'Our failure to properly manage the human activities that affect the nation's oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes is compromising their ecological integrity . . . threatening human health, and putting our future at risk.' "

National Geographic Magazine offers profiles of four people who have an impact on the nation's coastlines. Those profiled include:

  • Surfer Harry Richard "Skip" Frye;
  • Marine scientists Jane Lubchenco and her husband and colleague, Bruce Menge;
  • Developer Peter Rummell of Florida's St. Joe Company; and,
  • Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries shellfish biologists Greg Sawyer and Garry Buckminster.

    Thanks to Ashwani Vasishth

  • Saturday, July 8, 2006 in National Geographic

    portrait of professional woman

    I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

    I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

    Mary G., Urban Planner

    Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

    Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

    Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

    Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

    July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

    Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

    Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

    A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

    July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

    Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

    In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

    Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

    June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

    Street with parking protected bike lane and parked cars in downtown Portland, Oregon.

    Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance

    The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

    July 8 - Willamette Week

    Aerial view of Spokane, Washington with river in foreground.

    Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package

    Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

    July 8 - The Spokesman-Review

    Close-up on black and white "Bike Lane Ends" sign with bike logo.

    Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane

    The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.

    July 8 - Houston Public Media

    Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

    This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

    Planning for Universal Design

    Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

    Associate/Senior Planner

    Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

    Senior Planner

    Heyer Gruel & Associates PA