Ridgway School District’s population will remain flat for the foreseeable future, as long as affordable housing remains out of reach for young families wishing to remain or move to the area. That was the message the Ridgway School Board heard from Shannon Bingham, owner of Western Demographics, at its Dec. 12 meeting.

Bingham was tasked with conducting a demographics study for the district, as he has for many districts in the state. He studied Ridgway’s enrollment history over the last six ...