Census reports small drop in Pittsburgh's population (West Mifflin, Munhall: transplants, sale)

[tyovan4]

U.S. Census Bureau estimates being released publicly today suggest a small population decline took place in Pittsburgh between July 2014 and July 2015, just as occurred the prior year. The city’s population is pegged at 304,391 as of last July, an annual decline of 1,313.

The city also has fewer residents now than the 305,704 who were counted in the official 2010 decennial census. It was estimated to have had several years of growth following the formal head count, but that trend has fizzled.

The report of city decline is not surprising in that the Census Bureau recently reported Allegheny County had lost 2,437 people between 2014 and 2015, and the county’s hub would be expected to be part of any downturn. It does run counter, however, to perceptions of city growth and vitality based on numerous development projects completed or underway around the Golden Triangle, North Shore, South Side, Strip District and neighborhoods to the east.
Census reports small drop in Pittsburgh's population | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

I believe we recently discussed the County's population loss. The City's population loss was only reported in the P-G this morning. Wanted to share in case others may have missed it.

[SteelCityRising]

Waiting for the "spin doctors" to arrive and explain how this is really a positive for the city in 3....2....1...

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Waiting for the "spin doctors" to arrive and explain how this is really a positive for the city in 3....2....1...

You should be able to figure that out. Few people means lower housing prices or a least a slower increase.

I think the PG's bar chart ought to be nominated for most useless graphic.

[gg]

I see nothing positive in losing population for the most part, but who left? I was hoping Pittsburgh's median family income was going up and it is but not by much.

I think the East End, Downtown, the North Side flats and the South Side have improved in housing, but not sure about other parts of the city? Maybe we all think it is going great because some parts are looking so much better through gentrification? Hard to say.

[DaisyDaisy]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Waiting for the "spin doctors" to arrive and explain how this is really a positive for the city in 3....2....1...

I don't think it's positive but I also don't find it alarming. It's about a .4% decrease. There are new housing options in development that will bring more city residents, likely a fair amount of transplants. The ones I've heard about, which are likely in various stages, include:
Summerset at Frick II (not sure if that will be real name)
New townhomes in Bakery Square that go on sale in June (not built yet)
Bakery Sq. Blue will begin renting in June - can't tell if the 70 available figure on their website is all units or only those not leased?

Those are out of reach for many, including our own family, but that will be additional residents. I have friends who live in Munhall and West Mifflin who said they would love to move to somewhere like Oakland if they could find the right fit.

[JoeP]

Waiting for the "spin doctors" to arrive and explain how this is really a positive for the city in 3....2....1

Huh?

[Paul2421]

it will continue to be just population transfer from the greater metro area until pittsburgh starts to attract large employers

[SuburbanPioneer]

I think I've mentioned it before somewhere, but in this particular case I'd value quality over quantity.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by JoeP

Huh?

We have some on here who remarkably can find a silver lining in anything negative about Pittsburgh. I love living here, but if a declining population isn't leading to less traffic congestion or lower rents, then I can't see any silver lining.

[Moby Hick]

I think this is probably still just the continued echo of the 80s. If Pittsburgh weren't attracting more people from outside the drop would be even greater because of our abnormally large number of old people and our abnormally small number of people in the ages having where babies is most common.

See here: Nullspace: population obsession