Why does Pennsylvania have so little major cities?

[villageidiot1]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

If wishes were fishes we'd all swim in riches.

What is happening in Erie that would cause an increase in population?

With the loss of 575 jobs at GE Transportation, I think you'll see a substantial decline in Erie's population. See GE to end locomotive production in Erie, cut 575 jobs - News - GoErie.com - Erie, PA

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by villageidiot1

With the loss of 575 jobs at GE Transportation, I think you'll see a substantial decline in Erie's population. See GE to end locomotive production in Erie, cut 575 jobs - News - GoErie.com - Erie, PA

That's what I was thinking when I made that post.

[jFug]

Honestly city-county consolidation would be the best thing for Erie and it's suburbs. Right now Erie County has 38 municipalities, the majority located in the city of Erie, Millcreek Twp. and Harborcreek Twp.


I'm also sure that that the suburb governments do not want annexation, but that would be the region's best bet at a comeback, tbh.

[Icy Tea]

Berks County and Lancaster County combined have over 950,000 people. Cities like Lancaster and Reading lost population but their suburbs grew at a pretty significant rate.

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by gwillyfromphilly

On a side note, I hope the city of Erie is able to start growing again soon. It looks like Reading will pass Erie in population by the next census. The city should consider annexation and consolidate all of Erie County like Philly did with its county back in 1854. If that happen it would become the 3rd largest city in PA, and could potentially challenge Pittsburgh for the #2 spot.

It would be very surprising if Reading passed Erie in terms of population by the next census, which is less than 2.5 years away. Especially because Reading has at least 10,000 less people than Erie currently and both Erie and Reading declined in population in their last census estimates.

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

If wishes were fishes we'd all swim in riches.

What is happening in Erie that would cause an increase in population?

The massive expansion of Erie Insurance and the need for highly educated workers to fill more than 1,000 highly skilled positions.

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by villageidiot1

With the loss of 575 jobs at GE Transportation, I think you'll see a substantial decline in Erie's population. See GE to end locomotive production in Erie, cut 575 jobs - News - GoErie.com - Erie, PA

Normally I would agree that this issue could cause a substantial population decline for Erie, but some of these cuts are early retirements and I wonder how the hiring at Erie Insurance will possibly offset the population loss from GE jobs and former employees moving.

[villageidiot1]

Originally Posted by trackstar13

The massive expansion of Erie Insurance and the need for highly educated workers to fill more than 1,000 highly skilled positions.

Originally Posted by trackstar13

Normally I would agree that this issue could cause a substantial population decline for Erie, but some of these cuts are early retirements and I wonder how the hiring at Erie Insurance will possibly offset the population loss from GE jobs and former employees moving.

You're talking about 475 mostly manufacturing and engineering jobs at GE vs. 1,000 mostly clerical jobs at Erie Insurance. Even if a quarter of the GE jobs are early retirement, it will still have a substantial effect.

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by villageidiot1

You're talking about 475 mostly manufacturing and engineering jobs at GE vs. 1,000 mostly clerical jobs at Erie Insurance. Even if a quarter of the GE jobs are early retirement, it will still have a substantial effect.

1,000 jobs is on the low end of the estimates I have seen and it will be at least 500-600 jobs at Erie Insurance over the next few years with more scheduled to be added in the future. Additionally, Erie Insurance pays very well and I have several friends and former students who work for Erie Insurance and they pay around $15-$20 per hour for interns and $40,000+ for most jobs. While this is not as high as the GE positions, Erie Insurance pays very well for the Erie area and the "clerical" jobs you are referring to will be good paying jobs. Finally, this round of cuts at GE is devastating, but I am more worried about the 2,000 remaining GE jobs and I hope Erie can hang on to these jobs until some other jobs can be created to replace them if necessary.