Increased traffic within an area is directly correlated to an increase in population, or the addition and/or expansion of a major traffic generator (shopping mall, industrial plant, convention center, regional arena, etc.  Tallmadge Township’s growth since 1970 is shown in map above.

In Tallmadge Township’s case, while no single traffic generator can be identified as a major contributor to population growth, its proximity between the growing metropolitan of Grand Rapids and the growing GVSU, has led to its development as a bedroom community.