Why is Chicago losing population?

[whinniethezen]

Originally Posted by KevK

Actually if you compare Chicago to many northern cities, it ain't that bad. Detroit and Cleveland and Milwaukee have all lost lots more folks. But then again Chicago lost me. I live in GA now. And yes, I DO like short warm winters and no snow! But Chicago has alot to offer too.

What do you define as "lots more folks" What are the numbers/percentages?
I guess I find it interesting that someone would compare Chicago to smaller-midsized cities in order to feel better about Chicago's population decrease. Those cities are not the economic center of the midwest. They are not a mega city like Chicago. Chicago should be comparing itself to major economic centers/world cities. L.A. San Fran New York London

[emathias]

Originally Posted by whinniethezen

What do you define as "lots more folks" What are the numbers/percentages?
I guess I find it interesting that someone would compare Chicago to smaller-midsized cities in order to feel better about Chicago's population decrease. Those cities are not the economic center of the midwest. They are not a mega city like Chicago. Chicago should be comparing itself to major economic centers/world cities. L.A. San Fran New York London

The CITY of Chicago has lost population, however the Chicago METRO AREA has never lost population. Because of the impact of cars on density, it is very difficult to have apples-to-apples population comparisons for proper cities across national boundaries because of the different ways of defining them and whatnot. But Metro Chicago, which is how you really measure a city's economic impact, continues to grow.

You should also be aware that cities in the developing world will grow at rates that will FAR outpace ANY major city in the developed world simply because of demographic shifts. The developed world is mostly urbanized - that is most people live in metro areas - whereas places like India and China aren't even 50% urbanized. Assuming they follow the normal pattern of urbanization going hand in hand with development, their urban areas will explode in population at rates that eclipse any cities in the already-developed world, including Chicago, New York and London. The only way that would significantly change is if immigration policies were to radically shift in the U.S., allowing a lot more immigrants to come to our cities. I don't see that shift happening in my lifetime.

[mas23]

Originally Posted by prelude91

But LA has a Mountain Range that cuts through the city...I would be surprised if the average chicago neighborhood is really that much denser than the average LA neighborhood.

whoa prelude, what about the large amount of industrial land on the s- side ? BTW, what brings you ove here, hmm?

-mas23-