The Wyoming Valley begins to grow again! (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre: transplants, 2010)

[danwxman]

Congrats Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, after two years of actual population growth in Luzerne, and one year in Lackawanna rather than decline, a trend seems to be evident. We watched the decline slow in the first half of the decade and now it seems to have officially turned the corner.

Lackawanna county:
Population 2000: 212,917
Population 2004: 209,411
Population 2005: 209,192 -219
Population 2006: 209,146 -46
Population 2007: 209,330 +184

Births minus deaths:
2005: -502
2006: -495
2007: -460
^More people are still dying then being born but notice the decline

Luzerne county:
Population 2000: 318,562
Population 2004: 311,791
Population 2005: 311,624 -167
Population 2006: 311,626 +2
Population 2007: 312,265 +639 (wow go Luzerne!)

Births minus deaths:
2005: - 1,123
2006: - 971
2007: - 888
^Again, more people dying but notice the sharp decline

Source: Population estimates for U.S. counties for 2007

[ScranBarre]

Wow! Talk about great minds thinking alike! I was just preparing to post a Census thread of my own as I just learned that the 2007 county population estimates had been released. Thanks for saving me the trouble!

Can it be that my big fat yap has FINALLY started to attract some NY/NJ transplants to the Wyoming Valley after all?

[W-B proud]

This is excellent news! The Wyoming Valley wecomes all. After years and years of urban decay, and people leaving in droves, it seems like we've finally turned the corner. I only hope that these new transplants give our cities a try, instead of heading right for the suburbs and rural areas. The cities of NEPA need this shot in the arm more then the outskirts. Anyway, any growth here is good news. Wecome to The Wyoming Valley!

[ScranBarre]

Another interesting trend to note is that if anything the Poconos have only begun to grow even more rapidly from 2000-2010 as compared to 1990-2000.

MONROE COUNTY
7/1/00: 139,780
7/1/01: 143,584 +3,804
7/1/02: 148,317 +4,733
7/1/03: 153,035 +4,718
7/1/04: 156,799 +3,764
7/1/05: 160,202 +3,403
7/1/06: 162,913 +2,711
7/1/07: 164,722 +1,809

Estimated Growth 2000-2007: +26,035

Notice here that the two years of strongest growth were immediately following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City as urbanites fled to the suburbs in the Poconos seeking safety. Also notice that from 2005-2006 and from 2006-2007 growth has begun to significantly ebb. This could indicate that the "allure" of Monroe County to transplants is beginning to fade, or it could also indicate that the growth during these two years in the adjacent Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area was pulling some transplants out of Monroe County and into Lackawanna or Luzerne Counties. It is also interesting to point out that if Monroe County continues its current growth rate it will overtake Lackawanna County in population in about 25 years.

PIKE COUNTY
7/1/00: 46,612
7/1/01: 48,040 +1,428
7/1/02: 49,746 +1,706
7/1/03: 51,746 +2,000
7/1/04: 53,461 +1,715
7/1/05: 55,419 +1,958
7/1/06: 57,252 +1,833
7/1/07: 58,633 +1,381

Estimated Growth 2000-2007: +12,331

Growth here has been more stable and predictable on an annual basis than in neighboring Monroe County, averaging in the same general 1,400-2,000 per year range growth rate annually.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by W-B proud

This is excellent news! The Wyoming Valley wecomes all. After years and years of urban decay, and people leaving in droves, it seems like we've finally turned the corner. I only hope that these new transplants give our cities a try, instead of heading right for the suburbs and rural areas. The cities of NEPA need this shot in the arm more then the outskirts. Anyway, any growth here is good news. Wecome to The Wyoming Valley!

I agree. Unfortunately I suspect that once again nearly every borough and city in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties declined sharply in population, and if I was a betting man I'd have to say that growth has continued to pick up pace most significantly in Southern Luzerne County (Mountain Top/Drums/White Haven) and in Southern Lakckawanna County (North Pocono) as the Poconos start to spill over their growth. I believe Drums (Butler Township) has actually been the fastest-growing municipality in Luzerne County for several years now, likely due to its convenient location at the juncture of I-80 and I-81.

[ScranBarre]

Here's a link to the article in this morning's Scranton Times-Tribune:

The Times-Tribune - Census shows slight growth

We budding demographers drool over information like this. I've predicted for several years now that the growth in the Poconos was going to spread westward into our area, and it looks as if I was right!

Here's a link to the article from this morning's Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice:

The Citizens Voice - Census shows population increases in Luzerne, Lackawanna counties with database

Apparently the Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader didn't deem this very important story to be newsworthy.

[W-B proud]

I don't want to sound negative, because there is way to much of that on this post anyway, but this is how I see it. I see Monroe, Pike, and other border counties seeing a continued growth in population. They will expierience a mix of commuting professionals, wealthy people that want to live in a rural area, and some lower income people. Wilkes Barre and Scranton will expierience a little spill over from these counties as thier populations continue to swell. Unfortuanatly, cities like Wilkes-Barre and Scranton will probably see mostly blue collar, low-income, or welfare class transplants seeking to be close to social services and section-8 housing avaliable only in the cities. I do not see young professionals and couples flocking to W-B or Scranton. Why leave a "world class" city like NYC, to trade down to a "Utica Class" city like W-B or Scranton if you make good money? However, I do see a silver lining for W-B and Scranton. I see alot of small mom and pop buisnesses poping up all over the Scr/W-B/Haz. metro area, filling up long abandoned store fronts, and empty houses ect. that's a positive thing. We do not have the jobs and educated work force to attract young educated pros., and we are a little to far away to attract NYC commuters. Even if we attract these "Wall St. west companies" I think most will end up in the Lehigh Valley (they're a bit bigger, a bit closer to NYC, and a bit better educated then us, and they want these jobs just as bad) Monroe and Pike counties also will get them before W-B/Scr. Maybe if all the planets are in alignment, and we make some real strides then "maybe" 20 years down the line we'll see real growth and promise. Til then we can only hope for the best!

[ScranBarre]

Never say never. My partner and I are both budding young professionals, and we have our hearts set on moving into Scranton in several years. A former friend of mine, an accounting professional, and his fiance, a psychologist-to-be, are also moving back to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area shortly from Baltimore. I also hear of other stories of our region's educated youths trying to make a go of it here. All hope isn't lost for our cities.

[Karnak]

We moved to WB 4 years ago, and are happy with our move. Why? Well, the cost of living was getting out of hand in Bucks County, so we sold our house, took the money, and ran. (haha - Glad we did, too, the way the housing bubble is bursting) Got a great deal in WB, as the houses cost much less than just about anywhere else in the country, and we like the sturdy old Victorian houses. (You can actually get a house for the price of a car.)

We like the convenience of this area, as everything is close by, yet real close to nature, too.

Good Things we have noticed in our time here:
1. Things are definitely on the upswing as far as cleaning the town up re crime.
2. Everything is convenient - shopping, shows, Phila, NYC, seashore, parks, hospitals, etc.
3. A bit cheaper cost of living and taxes.
4. More laid back and friendlier people. Not so image-conscious, for sure. People are not snotty here.
5. More to do than in suburbia. We love walking along the river.
6. Lots of diversity here culturally, yet most seem to get along, as far as we can tell.

Things that are needed here:
1. Big lack of tradesmen, ie carpenters, handymen, plumbers, electricians, carpet layers, landscapers, painters, roofers. The ones we have met can't keep up with the work here, and are making top dollar. Seems like nobody wants to work with their hands here anymore! Our carpet layer told us he cannot find anyone to work for him, and can easily pull in 1-2K a day doing it alone.
2. The roads are atrocious. They need fixing!
3. The small stores need more vibrancy and "pizazz" Not sure how to describe this -- like, they're not "funky", ala the New Hope shops. They open them and they are so darn plain - just like so many of the houses around here seem to be painted white. Just a little paint and gingerbread could make these house so beautiful! I think someone with an artsy eye could do well with a shop here. With all the college kids, a boutique or shoe store or leather store or cool gift store might go over.
4. Merchants are not overly helpful. The service is weird - like you can't get any help when you shop. They act like they don't want you to buy.

The job situation here naturally is not like NYC of Phila, but with the times the way they are, people might need to start thinking outside the box anyway. Living in an expensive suburb and spending gazillion dollars a week commuting might be traded off for cheap housing, no commute and a lesser job or self-employment of some sort. The self employed people around here seem to do quite well.

Well - Just some rambling. I guess it all depends on the lifestyle you are seeking, but we have toned down our rat-race needs, and are feeling more at ease and relaxed living here vs. suburbia.