Decreasing fertility rates of non-Hispanic whites and black women, plus the tendency of families with children to cluster, have caused declines in the '18 and under' population share in 95% of U.S. counties.
Some thought it was just a 'big city' problem where couples would move to the suburbs when it was time for the children to enter school. Yet suburbs too are not immune to the shifting demographics. In fact, were it not for Hispanic migration to the suburbs, the decline would have been greater. Findings are from a USA TODAY analysis.
"Births among Hispanics - they make up 23.1% of those under 18, up from 17.1% in 2000 - have not been enough to stem the overall decline. Children make up 24% of the nation's population, down from 25.7% in 2000.
A recent Census survey shows that white women are more likely to be childless than other groups and that black women are more likely to be childless than Hispanics
A University of Southern California analysis of the state's shrinking child population found that Los Angeles County is at the center of the decline because of difficult living conditions for families facing high housing costs during economic hard times."
FULL STORY: Census reveals plummeting U.S. birthrates
Los Angeles County Invests in Wildfire Recovery for Parks, Trails, and Open Space
The $4.25 million RESTORE Program supports the recovery of parks, trails, and open spaces damaged by the January 2025 wildfires through targeted grants that promote community healing, wildfire resilience, and equitable access to nature.
Private Donations Propel Early Restoration of Palisades Playground
Los Angeles has secured over $1.3 million in private funding to restore the Pacific Palisades playground months ahead of schedule, creating a modern, accessible space that supports community healing after recent wildfires.
Rethinking Wildfire Defense: How a Landscape Approach Can Protect Neighborhoods
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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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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.
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Harvard GSD Executive Education
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NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service