New census numbers are out showing more than 50,000 people now living in Harrisonburg.

As a result, the city is making changes to keep up with the growth.

A city officials says less than a fifth of Harrisonburg land is unused and because of population growth, they'll have to start using some of it on top of redeveloping some areas so they can fit more people.

Stacy Turner, who's the Director of Community Development in Harrisonburg, says the population has grown around two-percent every year for the last decade.

To make sure the city can withstand the growth, Harrisonburg officials have made new zoning standards to fit more people in residential areas.

In the future, she also expects city roads to expand to fit more cars and allow more bikers and walkers.

Living trends are changing, and Turner says they can be tough to keep up with.

"People used to be most interested in living in a single family neighborhood with a large lot, and be able to drive everywhere," she explained. "Those types of things shift and now people are more interested in biking, walking, and being able to leave from their house without having to get in the car and get to activities and services."

Turner also says she expects more buildings to have both apartments and stores in them in the future, to fit more people and bring businesses in.

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