Center for Demographics and Policy Moves to Argyros College and Hayden School of Real Estate Transition creates a hub for housing, regulation, and market analysis.

Chapman University’s Center for Demographics and Policy has moved from the School of Communication to the George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics and the Alexander E. Hayden School of Real Estate, aligning the Center’s mission with the schools’ focus on housing, real estate, and the economic forces shaping communities.

Strengthening Ties Between Housing and Economics

The Center’s goals closely match those of the Hayden School of Real Estate, particularly around research on the future of the middle class and achieving the American Dream, both of which are deeply tied to real estate and housing.

Joel Kotkin, Presidential Fellow in Urban Futures, R. Hobbs Professorship in Urban Studies, and program director of the Center for Demographics and Policy believes the move opens the door to enhanced collaboration and support opportunities.

“The business school, and in particular the Hayden School of Real Estate program, is an ideal fit for the Center as we focus on issues such as housing, regulation and economic environment, all of concern to our business community, students and faculty,” Kotkin said.

Tom Turk, dean of the Argyros College of Business and Economics, said the Center’s move complements the college’s broader mission of connecting data-driven research to real-world outcomes.

“The Center for Demographics and Policy brings a unique and timely perspective to the Argyros College,” Turk said. “Its work on population trends, housing, and economic mobility directly supports our commitment to preparing students to understand and navigate the forces shaping today’s economy. We’re excited to see how this collaboration will expand opportunities for both research and impact.”

Expanding Opportunities

The transition also provides the Center with access to communications support, fundraising, and development resources within the Argyros College, expanding opportunities for outreach and donor engagement.

Founded to analyze and interpret key demographic trends shaping society, the Center focuses on research exploring the relationship between population patterns and social, political, and economic change. Recent demographic shifts, including rapid aging, declining fertility, and large-scale migration, have intensified the Center’s focus on understanding and forecasting the long-term implications of these changes.

Students at the Center of Demographic Research

The Center provides opportunities for Chapman students to participate in research alongside senior staff and faculty mentors. Students gain hands-on experience in data analysis, policy research, and applied demographics, skills that translate across careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Through the Center’s advisory board, students connect with distinguished Chapman faculty and leading demographic scholars from around the world.

By joining the Argyros College and Hayden School of Real Estate, the Center for Demographics and Policy strengthens its commitment to advancing research that informs public policy and promotes pathways to prosperity.

Building A Stronger Future Together

The Center will take a leading role in the upcoming event, “Housing Affordability: Challenges & Solutions,” bringing academic expertise and data-driven insight to one of Southern California’s most urgent issues. Kotkin, along with Research Fellow Marshall Toplansky, will join other Chapman representatives, including Trustee Professor Roger C. Hobbs, to examine the region’s growing housing challenges and potential paths forward. Hosted at UCI Research Park on December 7, the event brings together local advocates, scholars, and housing leaders to share research and real-world solutions, reflecting Chapman University’s ongoing commitment to addressing complex economic and social issues shaping the future of the region.