Is Pittsburgh's economy growing for everyone? (Philadelphia, Wilkinsburg: employment, school, income)

[tyovan4]

In April, Philadelphia Magazine profiled Pittsburgh and contemplated if and how Pittsburgh could surpass Philly as Pennsylvania's No. 1 city. The article had all the elite economic buzzwords, like “innovation” and “tech,” and made many substantial points about Pittsburgh’s prowess in the field of robotics and driverless cars. However, the story never mentioned words like “equal,” “equitable” or “inclusion.”

The idea of equal economic growth across all demographics is something Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has campaigned on with his “city for all” agenda. Peduto’s mayoral opponent, Rev. John Welch, has also made inclusive growth a big part of his messaging, arguing the city’s growing economy isn’t improving the lives of the city’s low-income and minority residents.

But just how is Pittsburgh doing in terms of growing for all its residents? A new study by public policy nonprofit the Brookings Institution provides some conflicting answers.

Is Pittsburgh's economy growing for everyone? | Blogh

"However, Berube points out the Brookings study does show ominous employment statistics for the region's black population. For whites, the median wage increased by 8.1 percent in the Pittsburgh region, well above the U.S. average, while blacks saw their median wages drop by 19.6 percent, well below the U.S. average."

^ Shocking

[krogerDisco]

^ I think Philly is almost impossible to pass. I think they have a lock on being Pennsylvania's #1 city. Pittsburgh can improve as #2, but I'm not sure it has "turned the corner" as the population continues to slip.

[gg]

Philly is a **** hole, Pittsburgh is rather nice. Size isn't everything. Philly is garbage!

[SteelCityRising]

Naturally, the regulars on here who blow smoke about this city's booming economy and booming wages are silent.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Naturally, the regulars on here who blow smoke about this city's booming economy and booming wages are silent.

I stopped reading at "Pittsburgh Metro Region". I view very little outside of Allegheny County as metro Pittsburgh, and place very little value on metro statistics.

[bradjl2009]

This Metro is a truly a tale of two cities. On one side, you have the city and the suburban areas which are well connected to the city and other transportation links doing pretty well while on the other side you have the areas on outlying areas and even the Mon Valley which are too disconnected to the city to benefit from its growth and many times these towns are ran by people who have no idea what they can do to stay relevant in this era as well.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Naturally, the regulars on here who blow smoke about this city's booming economy and booming wages are silent.

what is there to say? with the right credentials, one can work for google and make good money. if you had worked hard in school for a lifetime, you have a place in robotics. med school? you're a well-paid doctor.

nothing has really changed on over 20 years. a former friend of mine worked the clerical pool hell for Highmark years ago. at one point, he worked in an office for a downtown retailer. he hated Pittsburgh, and has since moved on to the atlantic coast of Florida, working in hospitality - and loving it.

i don't know what the answer is. this much is true, though - there are a lot of people who are perfectly content with the situation here. so no, the economy is not growing for everyone, but it never really had, anyway, except maybe after WWII up to the 1970s. but then, that is the case in cities across the US, probably.

[selltheburgh]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

This Metro is a truly a tale of two cities. On one side, you have the city and the suburban areas which are well connected to the city and other transportation links doing pretty well while on the other side you have the areas on outlying areas and even the Mon Valley which are too disconnected to the city to benefit from its growth and many times these towns are ran by people who have no idea what they can do to stay relevant in this era as well.

It isn't just an isolation situation. Look at Homewood and Wilkinsburg versus their neighbors in Point Breeze and Squirrel Hill.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Naturally, the regulars on here who blow smoke about this city's booming economy and booming wages are silent.

Are you always looking for a better job to improve your situation or are you content where you're at and complaining about the economy that you're not part of?

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Are you always looking for a better job to improve your situation or are you content where you're at and complaining about the economy that you're not part of?

I wasn't aware a crucial criminal justice support staff position should be something to be ashamed of.