We're Not the Worst (Pittsburgh, York: houses, employment, neighborhoods)

[zip95]

Last year the Greatest Population loss in the country was NOT in the Pittsburgh Region (we lost a little over 7k). We still have the largest population decline since the 2000 census at 75k, but the tide seems to be turning. And no, it's not because we have shown any improvement. Instead, the Detroit region is getting much worse. With a whooping 27k person decline in population last year, Detroit steals the crown. Although the Detroit region has a net population gain of 15k since the last census.....it appears they are poised to fall over a cliff, and could knock Pittsburgh out of the top spot before the 2010 census.

We also beat Clevland last year.

Here's the Breakdown for population-losing metro-areas over 1 million people.

Pittsburgh loses 75K since 2000 census - loses 7k last year
Clevland loses 51K since 2000 census - loses 9k last year
Buffalo loses 41K since 2000 census - loses 5k last year
Detroit gains 15k since 2000 census - loses 27k last year

http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2007/CBSA-EST2007-01.csv (broken link)

[By~Tor]

Originally Posted by zip95

Here's the Breakdown for population-losing metro-areas over 1 million people.

Pittsburgh loses 75K since 2000 census - loses 7k last year
Clevland loses 51K since 2000 census - loses 9k last year
Buffalo loses 41K since 2000 census - loses 5k last year
Detroit gains 15k since 2000 census - loses 27k last year

http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2007/CBSA-EST2007-01.csv (broken link)

Actually, on the news this very morning, was how detroit is the worst of the worst, so far this year....

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by By~Tor

Actually, on the news this very morning, was how detroit is the worst of the worst, so far this year....

You can get a feel for that on City-Data, especially on the Colorado forums. There are many from Michigan who have relocated or are planning to relocate.

[BrianTH]

I grew up in the Detroit area, and my dad still lives there, and it is indeed in bad shape, and may have a considerable way to go before it stabilizes.

I think it would be interesting to see an age breakdown of the population loss in the Pittsburgh area. We're going to be losing the older population that remains from the peak steel days for quite a while yet, and without direct replacement since many of their children moved away, and hence are not having their grandchildren here. But the key to the region's long term success is whether we are now keeping it steady (or hopefully growing a bit) among young people, those who were born or moved here in the post-steel era.

[By~Tor]

A Detroit friend of mine on answerology just told me houses south of 8-Mile road are now selling for an AVERAGE of only $25,000........



Now, THAT'S "depressed".... and depressing.......




Methinks they'll eventually turn Detroit into "Escape from New York" style prisonland....

[RockLobster]

The tide of population loss is slowly turning. The death rate continues to out pace the rate of migration and births in Pittsurgh. However the rate of loss is slowing and the rate of migration to Pittsburgh has been increasing over the past few years. Growth in the medical arena at UPMC and West Penn and technology and Biotech growth are bringing in new blood from elsewhere. A look at neighborhoods such as the city's east end and certain burbs will give you an idea as to the growing movement of people from outside the region seeking the available professional employment opportunities and affordable housing in and near Pittsburgh. It truly has been an amazing streak ( Pittsburgh's Population loss) given the universal growth across the nation due in part to the latino and asian influx. Here is a question for you. Which loss streak will end first ? The baseball Pirates 15 straight season's under 500 record or the city's population loss ?? I for one hope that we are near the end for both!

[guylocke]

If you check out "Happenings" there is a new article I posted that talks about the population loss a little bit. Statistically, it is coming to a halt and our birth to death ratio is also evening out more closely to the national average.

According to the article, robotics will be the engine that gives Pittsburgh new population growth in the near-future. Also, we have a higher college-educated population than ever.

We'll see.

[RockLobster]

As one would garner the vast majority of urban population loss continues to happen in the industrial north. Miami however actually saw a decline in it's city population while the south florida region had growth although much slower then before. Pittsburgh continues to hold onto the number 22 largest metro area. The 23rd spot belongs to the Portland Oregon metro area at 2.175 million. Based on the 2006-07 changes, with Pittsburgh losing 7,500 and Portland gaining 41,000, in 2011 Portland would surpass the Pittsburgh metro in total population size. The gap between Pittsburgh and the 21st largest metro, Denver, has also become more pronounced. In 2006 Denver had 48,000 more people and in 2007 a gain by Denver and a loss by Pittsburgh widened the gap to 109,000.
And as of the July 2007 numbers there are 11 metros in the 2 million to 3 million range. Only Pittsburgh and Cleveland were net losers in that range.

[BrianTH]

By the way, it wouldn't surprise me if Pittsburgh slipped a bit further down the metro area rankings over the next couple decades before it finally stabilizes. I also don't think that is something to be particularly worried about.

[By~Tor]

I think that more & more people are moving westward in order to "get outdoors", and enjoy what they consider to me a more environmentally-friendly area... Denver & Portland, being two GREAT examples!

Also, look at places like Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Boise.... all growing at rates which almost outpace Las Vegas...