PA's largest cities by all-time high (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: population, top, towns)

[Dequindre]

Originally Posted by jFug

I agree 100%.

The city of Erie needs to merge with Millcreek Twp. (and possibly Lawrence Park and Wesleyville).

That would make the newly-merged city of Erie have a population of approx. 158,000, which would be good for the region.

That's an interesting proposal, but Pennsylvania law makes it practically impossible to combine municipalities. Voters generally don't want it.

[PreservationPioneer]

So much of the population decline in these cities can be attributed to the explosive growth of nearby suburbs. Take McKeesport, for instance. Since the Depression Era population peak, you have the massive growth of surrounding suburbs such as White Oak, Port Vue, West Mifflin, North Versailles, North Huntingdon, and probably a couple others I forgot. These places were barely on the map prior to McKeesport's decline. Yes, deindustrialization happened. But, more importantly, people left the cities for the suburbs before they left the region for jobs.

[gwillyfromphilly]

Originally Posted by g500

Here is a list of the top 20 largest PA cities by all-time high in population (year achieved).

No townships or boroughs.

1. Philadelphia ---------- 2,071,605 (1950)
2. Pittsburgh --------------676,806 (1950)
3. Scranton ----------------143,433 (1930)
4. Erie --------------------- 138,440 (1960)
5. Allentown --------------- 120,443 (2016)
6. Reading ----------------- 111,171 (1930)
7. Harrisburg --------------- 89,544 (1950)
8. Wilkes-Barre ------------ 86,626 (1930)
9. Altoona ------------------- 82,054 (1930)
10. Bethlehem -------------- 75,408 (1960)

11. Johnstown --------------- 67,327 (1920)
12. Chester ------------------ 66,039 (1950)
13. Lancaster ---------------- 63,774 (1950)
14. York ---------------------- 59,953 (1950)
15. McKeesport --------------- 55,355 (1940)
16. New Castle --------------- 48,834 (1950)
17. Williamsport -------------- 45,729 (1930)
18. Hazleton ------------------- 38,009 (1940)
19. Easton ----------------------35,632 (1950)
20. Lebanon ------------------- 30,045 (1960)

Could you imagine what these city populations would be today if they kept growing instead of decline. I think Pittsburgh would certainly have over a million people today. Philly would probably be over 3 million by now.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by gwillyfromphilly

Could you imagine what these city populations would be today if they kept growing instead of decline. I think Pittsburgh would certainly have over a million people today. Philly would probably be over 3 million by now.

Unfortunately we live in a state dominated by suburbanites and overseen by legislators with rural favoritism, so we'll never know what it would be like to live in a state with growing, healthy cities.

[Dequindre]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Unfortunately we live in a state dominated by suburbanites and overseen by legislators with rural favoritism, so we'll never know what it would be like to live in a state with growing, healthy cities.

"overseen by legislators with rural favoritism" Good. People in rural areas need fair representation too.

[Pilot1]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Unfortunately we live in a state dominated by suburbanites and overseen by legislators with rural favoritism, so we'll never know what it would be like to live in a state with growing, healthy cities.

Actually it is the opposite. The metro areas (cities, and suburbs) largely drive the politics of PA due to the concentration, and large number of people there. The Trump election was an anomaly where enough people outside of metro areas voted, as well as being pretty close in much of the suburbs.

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by Pilot1

Actually it is the opposite. The metro areas (cities, and suburbs) largely drive the politics of PA due to the concentration, and large number of people there. The Trump election was an anomaly where enough people outside of metro areas voted, as well as being pretty close in much of the suburbs.

I think he is talking about state level politics and gerrymandering.

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by Dequindre

"overseen by legislators with rural favoritism" Good. People in rural areas need fair representation too.

Good as long as those in rural areas pay their fair share, but they don't currently. For instance, rural areas that rely on the state police rather than pay for their own police force.

[Bailey340]

It would be interesting to see this same chart but with MSAs within PA instead. (Some cities such as Allentown & Bethlehem would be combined).

[Pilot1]

Originally Posted by trackstar13

I think he is talking about state level politics and gerrymandering.

Oh, OK. Got it. Thanks!