Pennsylvania's largest job centers? (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: home, employment, school)

[KansastoSouthphilly]

Sorry for the random thread. I was wondering if anyone knows of a list of Pennsylvania's biggest job centers? I would be interested in the top 10 or so. I have always assumed it would be something like:

1. Center City - Philadelphia
2. Downtown Pittsburgh
3. Oakland Pittsburgh
4. King of Prussia
5. University City - Philadelphia

but I have no data. Just curious if such a list already exists.

[bigfish1]

I forget where I read it but about a year or so ago I heard that University City recently eclipsed Oakland for the number 3 spot.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by bigfish1

I forget where I read it but about a year or so ago I heard that University City recently eclipsed Oakland for the number 3 spot.

I think that's correct. I also think University City may eventually surpass Downtown Pittsburgh, too. Some Pittsburgh employers are relocating from Downtown towers to mid-rise buildings on the periphery (Lower Hill District, Strip District, North Shore, etc.).

[rowhomecity]

1) Center City Philadelphia
2) University City Philadelphia
3) Downtown Pittsburgh
4) Oakland Pittsburgh
5) Downtown Harrisburg
6) King of Prussia
7) State College
8) Bethlehem
9) Malvern
10) Hershey

I would add a second employment area in metro Pittsburgh, but I am not as familiar with what its satellite employment center would be.

[speagles84]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

1) Center City Philadelphia
2) University City Philadelphia
3) Downtown Pittsburgh
4) Oakland Pittsburgh
5) Downtown Harrisburg
6) King of Prussia
7) State College
8) Bethlehem
9) Malvern
10) Hershey

I would add a second employment area in metro Pittsburgh, but I am not as familiar with what its satellite employment center would be.

Downtown Pittsburgh is MUCH larger than University city

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by speagles84

Downtown Pittsburgh is MUCH larger than University city

Downtown Pittsburgh is larger.

From the State of Downtown Pittsburgh Report:
Golden Triangle: 79,316
North Shore: 15,323
Strip District: 9,615
South Shore: 3,224
Uptown: 6,912
Total: 114,390

Comparatively, University City has 85,000 and Center City has 305,000.

I can't find the numbers on Oakland, but would be curious if anyone else knows?

Also, I would think Allentown would rank relatively high. At least higher than Bethlehem.

[KansastoSouthphilly]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

Downtown Pittsburgh is larger.

From the State of Downtown Pittsburgh Report:
Golden Triangle: 79,316
North Shore: 15,323
Strip District: 9,615
South Shore: 3,224
Uptown: 6,912
Total: 114,390

Comparatively, University City has 85,000 and Center City has 305,000.

I can't find the numbers on Oakland, but would be curious if anyone else knows?

Also, I would think Allentown would rank relatively high. At least higher than Bethlehem.

Thanks! This is great info. Are all those areas considered downtown pittsburgh? Either way it doesn't seem like an unfair comparison to Philly as Center City encompasses much more than Just the skyscraper canyons on Market JFK Blvd. I myself work in center city but in an office on its southern edge near locust st.

Wikipedia claims that ~60k people are employed in KOP so I guess University City is probably the second largest job center in the Philly Metro at least. I would be surprised if Oakland had fewer jobs than University City. I've only been once but it felt a bit further along than UCity. But maybe its normal to feel that way when visiting somewhere new.

[Marv95]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

1) Center City Philadelphia
2) University City Philadelphia
3) Downtown Pittsburgh
4) Oakland Pittsburgh
5) Downtown Harrisburg
6) King of Prussia
7) State College
8) Bethlehem
9) Malvern
10) Hershey

I would add a second employment area in metro Pittsburgh, but I am not as familiar with what its satellite employment center would be.

I'm surprised at the bolded, especially State College. Thought Allentown and Lancaster would be up there.

I'm thinking about moving back to PA(shoulda stayed tbh) and jobs(supply chain/mfg) is the biggest reason. Would not mind a metro area since they have transit(buses). But I don't want any part of the Philly area(been there, done that) and Pittsburgh.

[rowhomecity]

Originally Posted by Marv95

I'm surprised at the bolded, especially State College. Thought Allentown and Lancaster would be up there.

I'm thinking about moving back to PA(shoulda stayed tbh) and jobs(supply chain/mfg) is the biggest reason. Would not mind a metro area since they have transit(buses). But I don't want any part of the Philly area(been there, done that) and Pittsburgh.

Do you not want Philadelphia proper or the metro area at all? There are some very desirable smaller towns in its suburban region?

It sounds like Lancaster, Harrisburg or the Lehigh Valley are your best bets.

State College - One of the largest public universities in the nation.
Bethlehem - Sizable university center and home to Lehigh Health System
Hershey - Hershey medical center, Milton Hershey School, Hershey Company, etc.

[Marv95]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

Do you not want Philadelphia proper or the metro area at all? There are some very desirable smaller towns in its suburban region?

It sounds like Lancaster, Harrisburg or the Lehigh Valley are your best bets.

State College - One of the largest public universities in the nation.
Bethlehem - Sizable university center and home to Lehigh Health System
Hershey - Hershey medical center, Milton Hershey School, Hershey Company, etc.

Been there, done that. For someone looking for a studio/1BR it's getting too expensive for my liking(including Pottstown WTF), and digging around on bls.gov, the wages in my field aren't much different from Central PA or the Lehigh Valley. I do have family in Philly which is a plus.

But yeah, I figured Lancaster, the Lehigh Valley and Harrisburg would be good bets.