Selected features of demography and social infrastructure of the town and Municipality of Wleń in the context of local development

Aim: The aim of the paper is to analyze the selected components characterizing the demographic potential and the state of social infrastructure in the rural-urban Municipality of Wleń.Design/Research methods: The data derived from the Local Data Bank of the Central Statistical Office was analyzed, describing population structure, number and density, natural growth, number of marriages as well as the data on social infrastructure, i.e. healthcare, welfare, security, education, sport and culture. In addition, the analyses covered also data from participant observation and data obtained in the course of the public consultations conducted in relation to the development strategy for the years 2015-2022, devised for the municipality of Wleń. The research was conducted for the time period from 2004 to 2014 - the choice was driven by the wish to carry out observations that would span a decade.Conclusions / findings: The Municipality of Wleń is undergoing depopulation and succumbing to negative consequences relating to the process. The municipality needs active, creative and young population in order to secure future development. Yet, this is a group of well informed consumers of space who expect specific services (including education), hence maintaining an adequate level of social infrastructure provided by the municipality should become a high-priority target for the local authorities. Positive changes can be observed such as better childcare provided in nurseries. While facing aging population, lacking a social welfare home may become a growing problem. The sense of security, on the other hand, is certainly an asset the municipality space offers Originality / value of the article: The findings of the studies are useful for local self-government.Implications of the research: The research findings may prove helpful for the municipality management.