In 15 years, the town’s population could jump by as much as 17 percent with fewer families with children and more residents over the age of 65.

That’s the conclusion of a report “Envision Braintree” done by Lauren Costello and Barry Bluestone of the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University.

Bluestone, the founding director of the center and a professor of political economy, presented the findings to about 40 people at town hall Wednesday night. The audience included many members of the town council, school committee and planning board as well as some town department heads.