Census figures show Milwaukee population is steady (Madison, Marquette: home, tax)

[EnjoyEP]

Here was a somewhat interesting (albeit too filled with fluff) article from today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

JS Online: Census figures show Milwaukee population is steady

Key excerpts:
------------
[i]>>>"Census figures show Milwaukee population is steady"

>>>"Milwaukee continues to sustain its population numbers early in the 21st century. Milwaukee is home to 602,191 people, according to the latest population estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau."

The city is no longer an industrial colossus, but Milwaukee's population bleeding from its 1960s heyday has stopped.

>>>"There was a slight population infusion late last year, when city officials successfully challenged a census estimate, saw a population increase of 30,000 residents and a rise in the national rankings from No. 25 to No. 22.

Of course, these are only estimates - the latest measure providing a snapshot of the city's population as of July 1, 2007 - and virtually identical to the previous year's final count."
------------


Interesting. While stories like this are what they are and this doesn't exactly mean that Milwaukee is headed back to its 1960s prominence, it is still overall positive / good news.

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by EnjoyEP

Interesting. While stories like this are what they are and this doesn't exactly mean that Milwaukee is headed back to its 1960s prominence, it is still overall positive / good news.

In terms of numbers, it's excellent news.

I'd love to see the demographics of specific areas of the city compared in a similar time range, to see how they've changed. The demographics contribute substantially to tax base and property values, which is where a municipality can get a lot of revenue (or not) out of a given geographic area. The numbers are probably out there somewhere...

Undoubtedly, the city is no longer seen the same way as it was before, which I believe is luring people into the city, or at least keeping them there.

[radraja]

I notice they use the word "steady", and not "growing". I guess that's a good thing, though, since there probably aren't enough jobs to sustain a larger population.

I haven't looked at the 2008 numbers yet, but I take it we're approximately even with 2007's numbers (or at least close)?

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by radraja

I notice they use the word "steady", and not "growing". I guess that's a good thing, though, since there probably aren't enough jobs to sustain a larger population.

I haven't looked at the 2008 numbers yet, but I take it we're approximately even with 2007's numbers (or at least close)?

Well, population creates opportunity--there are a number of things that any population of people requires. Larger populations require more, or if they don't require it, they usually open the door for greater competition.

[radraja]

What I meant is that jobs are hard enough to find for the people the city already has.

[green_mariner]

Do you think things in MKE are looking a bit brighter these days?

[radraja]

The city itself is cleaning up, but it's just so hard to get a job. Even friends of mine who graduated from Marquette and Madison are having a hard time.