City Population Breakdown by Neighborhood 2000-2010; Predictions for 2010-2020? (Pittsburgh: for sale, townhome)

[PreservationPioneer]

I do think it is possible to have continued population decline and still be a great city or town. I think too much emphasis is placed on growth. Many of the most livable places, with the most affordable housing and least competition for resources are in towns with declining populations. That's why I'm not worried about a place like Beaver Borough, which by all reports is a lovely place to live, but has been declining in population since, what, 1930? Another example would be a small city like Wheeling, which is dirt cheap, architecturally beautiful and with beautiful scenery, and has plenty of amenities.

Does anyone know where to get the 2020 census stats for cities smaller than 5k population? That's why I can't find Beaver and Kittanning. It's possible that Beaver posted some growth.

[PreservationPioneer]

I just noticed that Scranton grew for the first time since the 1930 census. That's huge.

[RetireinPA]

Originally Posted by PreservationPioneer

I do think it is possible to have continued population decline and still be a great city or town. I think too much emphasis is placed on growth. Many of the most livable places, with the most affordable housing and least competition for resources are in towns with declining populations.

agreed. my other home is about an hour north of you literally bordering the forest. The draws are woods, animals, fishing, boating, hunting, atving etc. the population has tanked. 1/3 the homes are primary residences. the rest camps (ditto mine and I bought in pitt) but the area STILL has woods, animals, fishing, boating, hunting atving etc

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by PreservationPioneer

I just noticed that Scranton grew for the first time since the 1930 census. That's huge.

Yep. Scranton grew by a smidge. Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre grew moderately.

[runpens1]

Originally Posted by PreservationPioneer

I do think it is possible to have continued population decline and still be a great city or town. I think too much emphasis is placed on growth. Many of the most livable places, with the most affordable housing and least competition for resources are in towns with declining populations. That's why I'm not worried about a place like Beaver Borough, which by all reports is a lovely place to live, but has been declining in population since, what, 1930? Another example would be a small city like Wheeling, which is dirt cheap, architecturally beautiful and with beautiful scenery, and has plenty of amenities.

Does anyone know where to get the 2020 census stats for cities smaller than 5k population? That's why I can't find Beaver and Kittanning. It's possible that Beaver posted some growth.

I just found this today. Here is the link: Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site

[PreservationPioneer]

Originally Posted by runpens1

I just found this today. Here is the link:Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site

Fantastic! I'm digging into the data and finding some surprises..

Beaver Borough declined at the 2020 census, but by fewer than 100 residents. Surprisingly, Beaver Falls, which most would probably say is a more distressed town than Beaver, grew!

Millvale declined by more than 400 residents. I was expecting that this up and coming town would have seen some growth.

Meanwhile, Kittanning and Ford City, the two largest cities in Armstrong County, declined by fewer than 100 residents each for 2020. That's much less steep of a decline than was anticipated!

Looking at Allegheny County, there were a lot of older towns that posted slight growth.

[Independentthinking83]

Originally Posted by PreservationPioneer

I do think it is possible to have continued population decline and still be a great city or town. I think too much emphasis is placed on growth. Many of the most livable places, with the most affordable housing and least competition for resources are in towns with declining populations. That's why I'm not worried about a place like Beaver Borough, which by all reports is a lovely place to live, but has been declining in population since, what, 1930? Another example would be a small city like Wheeling, which is dirt cheap, architecturally beautiful and with beautiful scenery, and has plenty of amenities.

Does anyone know where to get the 2020 census stats for cities smaller than 5k population? That's why I can't find Beaver and Kittanning. It's possible that Beaver posted some growth.

I was shocked to see Beaver Falls grow. That is really a distressed area. Nonetheless still a bright spot.

FYI, I researched Wheeling, WV population declines. In 2020 the population declined in Wheeling by 5%. Between 1960 and 2010 Wheeling declined between 9 and 11 percent each census. This is the lowest the city has declined since 1950 when it lost 3.6% of its population. A very good census for them.

The decline of the entire rust belt is slowing for sure. It’s across the board.

[tyovan4]

Originally Posted by PreservationPioneer

Millvale declined by more than 400 residents. I was expecting that this up and coming town would have seen some growth.

Is there any data available about the numbers of households? Perhaps the number of households increased while the population decreased due to decreasing family sizes?

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by tyovan4

Is there any data available about the numbers of households? Perhaps the number of households increased while the population decreased due to decreasing family sizes?

I have a feeling that's why a lot of otherwise desirable towns like Beaver, Millvale, Etna, Sharpsburg, Verona, Dormont, etc. keep declining in population. There's no space to build new homes, so as household size decreases in the existing homes the population declines with it.

The City of Pittsburgh actually has a TON of available parcels to construct new homes, so, if there was ever the desire to get the land bank going properly, there could be thousands of new homes and townhomes built on vacant lots and larger parcels throughout the city.

[Moby Hick]

Beaver Falls is growing because of the Mr. Belvedere fan community wanting to live like Bob Uecker.