Which trend category includes elements such as population characteristics and neighborhood cohesiveness?

The trend category that includes elements such as population characteristics and neighborhood cohesiveness is social. Social trends reflect the dynamics of human relationships and the characteristics of communities, focusing on how populations interact and form the fabric of neighborhoods. Population characteristics encompass age, ethnicity, and family structure, which influence how communities develop and function.

Understanding neighborhood cohesiveness is vital for a tax assessor because it can impact property values and community planning. For instance, a tightly knit community may experience higher property values due to a strong sense of belonging and stability, while areas lacking such cohesiveness could see different trends in real estate values.

The other categories—physical, economic, and governmental—address different aspects of a community. Physical trends refer to land use, infrastructure, and environmental conditions; economic trends concern factors such as employment rates and income levels; and governmental trends involve regulations, policies, and the effects of local governance. However, these do not encapsulate social structures and relationships in the way that social trends do.