Recent Census population estimates tell a story of quick growth in many parts of Arizona, but there are a few places that are quickly shrinking, too.
Jen Fifield reports from Arizona on the small towns of Arizona losing population where other parts of the state boom with new population and expand to house the newcomers.
For every Phoenix, there are examples like Douglas, a town that lost 200 people in the most recent count, and 400 people the year prior. "By 2018, the city had lost 9.3% of the population it had in 2010, or nearly one in every 10 people, according to U.S. Census data released recently," report Fifield.
But there are more examples: "Of the 91 cities and towns in the state, 18 have shrunk since the worst of the Great Recession, the data shows."
Most of the shrinking towns are located south of Tucson, between that growing metropolis and the U.S.-Mexico border. Fifield includes infographics and lots of data to debunk some of the common misconceptions about why the populations of these cities are shrinking (e.g., crime) as well as describe some of the realities of the situation (e.g., declining jobs).
FULL STORY: These Arizona cities and towns are shrinking, even as state population booms
Detroit and Michigan on the Upswing
It's been 66 years since the Motor City last grew its population. Census data released last month revealed an increase of nearly 2,000 people last year, nearly half the state's population growth.
Small Towns Grow Faster Than Cities for First Time in Decades
Cities of 4 million or more people lost 600,000 residents to domestic migration.
Population Losers
California's population dipped below 39 million as of July, according to the Census Bureau, after seeing its net domestic migration loss this year exceed last year's. Only New York has seen a greater loss as a percentage of population.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service