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If the fast growing metros of the south (Dallas, Houston) continue to grow at the rates they do, it likely that Chicago will be passed as the number 3 metro, whether that be in 2030, 2050, or even 2070.
What would the impact be? I doubt Chicago residents would simply stand up and leave their city when/if it is passed.
But, will it remain a financial stronghold?
What would the psychological impact of it losing the number three spot be? It's hard for me to think of it being passed by a Houston or a Dallas. I've always known the top three cities in the US and the order: NY, LA, CHI but didn't know or cared who was 4 or 5 until recently.
Location: Austin, TX/Chicago, IL/Houston, TX/Washington, DC
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I'm a resident of Chicago & Houston.
And I don't really care what happens. I know Chicago for what it is, and I am content with it. Population numbers DO NOT make a city great.
And this topic has been done before, there are 1,600 comments in that other thread...
And the people who overplay the population numbers I am sorry to sound harsh but you are losers, like seriously you need a hobby besides complaining about it.
Chicago being 5th largest metropolitan area would not matter, the world knows Chicago for what it is and what it gave. My friend in Houston just now found out Houston was the 4th largest city, he's lived there all his life.. and he found out when I told him... and it's been 4th largest since the 1980's.
If it takes until 2070, Chicago may be the largest US city after rising oceans inundate LA and NYC, and increased temperatures make Houston and Dallas uninhabitable.
Of course the US will be a vasal state to China by then, so we'll be comparing Chicago to Shanghai and Beijing.
Even if it were passed up, it would still be a stronghold in the region. What other cities are there in the midwest that can hold a candle to Chicago? Detroit? Pfft, nope. Cleveland? Haha. Minneapolis? Not anytime in the near future.
I don't think it will matter much. You are seeing huge population shifts primarily due to the economy. People are going where the jobs are. I wouldn't be surprised if you see several cities change places in line. Phoenix comes to mind. I think it will drop significantly. I see Denver growing rapidly over the next 5-10 years, which will likely put it up in the top-10 US cities, as far as population goes.
Rapidly growing cities to watch: (not in any particular order)
Denver
Houston
Dallas
San Fran/Oakland
Austin
San Antonio
San Jose
San Diego
Nashville
Las Vegas
Jacksonville, FL
Grand Rapids, MI
Royal Oak, MI
Boston
No impact for Chicago, nothing will change.
But for Houston/Dallas Metros the impact will be clear : more famous, better represented in the medias, more national talents and personnalities, more attention from the White House...
Being surpassed in population isn't really worth all that much. What counts is the economic presence in your city. Chicago is still an economic titan and that's not changing anytime soon. The CME is still located in Chicago, and it's not planning on moving anytime soon. And at the moment, there are no challengers to the CME throne.
I was recently surprised to read [on C-D] that Chicago is actually declining in population. Coming from a metro area that is way beyond it's capacity to handle any more increases in population, I think it would be fine to live in a city that is losing numbers.
Location: Austin, TX/Chicago, IL/Houston, TX/Washington, DC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by californio sur
I was recently surprised to read [on C-D] that Chicago is actually declining in population. Coming from a metro area that is way beyond it's capacity to handle any more increases in population, I think it would be fine to live in a city that is losing numbers.
Was.
It reversed population decline from the city to the suburbs sometime in the second part of this decade. It's growing again, much like the other cities that were losing population at point Philadelphia, Washington DC, Baltimore, & Boston (although Boston started regaining a while ago).
Chicago will lose the bragging rights of being #3. It will still be Chicago. Cities may pass it, but Chicago will always be a major and great city. Same can be said for others as well.
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