12-14-21 fdl county’s demographics are changing

A new report compiled by the Fond du Lac Area United Way shows that Fond du Lac County’s demographics are changing, there is great room for economic improvement and while access to healthcare has improved, health indicators have not.  The L.I.F.E. Benchmarking report provides a comprehensive view of the county across a variety of areas in an efffort to advance community growth.   United Way executive director Amber Kilawee says the report found the population is aging substantially resulting in workforce shortages.  Kilawee says there was a small but noticeable increase in racial and ethnic diversity, particularly in the younger and Hispanic,Latinx population.  Kilawee says while the report found a decrease in childhood poverty, there is still great room  for improvement.  The report found increases in rates of diabetes, disability, poor mental health days and suicide rates.    Between 2015 to 2018 the rate of child  abuse and neglect in Fond du Lac County remained stable, but still substantially higher that the statewide average.