How can population growth strengthen a citys economy? (homes, schools)

[Black_Sheep3]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

I really don't have a problem with more people moving here, it's helping the local economy.

From a guy in the Seattle forum.
I thought more people meant more jobs etc taken, thus shrinking the economy?
I'm actually quite ignorant in this topic and would really like some knowledge.
Like cities like Austin and Seattle, I know I hear about prices going up, and people not liking that, but now that I think about it I dont really hear people complain about the conomy getting -worse-..

[citylove101]

In the US cities grow because there is a good local economy. That attracts newcomers who come for the jobs, and then those who come to supply the growing demand for goods and services that the additional population will generate.

Gold rush in California. Lots of new jobs (mining). Most of the '49ers coming to San Francisco didn't get even close to rich. But the people who came sold them stuff did. OR somebody opens a canal between the Great Lakes and the Hudson River. Trade explodes in the port of NYC. It needs workers. Then those workers need homes, food, clothing, entertainment, etc etc

OF course you can get too many people in an area and not enough infrastructure -- highways, sewers, schools, mass transit -- to support the growth. Typically that's the case in emerging market countries, where population growth in the cities can be a a serious problem rather than a boon to the local economy.