Not only are suburbs growing, many of the larger, older cities that had reversed decades of population decline, are now losing population, again. The biggest losers: counties with the greatest population densities.
The U.S. Census Bureau released population estimates on March 23. The "data confirmed that suburban areas lead growth." To understand the relationship between county population density and population change based on residents leaving and arriving in counties, Mike Maciag, Governing's data editor, "compared the Census Bureau's updated domestic migration estimates for all counties within metro areas, which were then grouped by population density."
The 146 most densely populated counties lost a total of 539,000 residents to other parts of the country over the 12-month period ending in July, representing the largest decline in recent years.
Maciag details the population loss in St. Louis and Baltimore which have seen their more affluent suburbs grow.
Over the 12-month period ending in July, the city of St. Louis lost 1.1 percent of its population -- the largest decline of any large Census-designated county nationally. The steady stream of residents leaving has led to thousands of vacant homes and lots, particularly on the north side. The city's Land Reutilization Authority currently holds approximately 12,000 vacant properties, far more than comparable cities.
Central cities' losses are their suburbs' gains. Case in point, Baltimore.
A somewhat similar scenario is playing out in the city of Baltimore, where the population declined at the same rate. A net total of 11,000 residents moved out of the city -- many to surrounding suburban neighborhoods -- nearly doubling the domestic migration loss of the prior 12-month period.
“The suburbs in Baltimore are no more just middle-class professionals, they’re much more diverse,” says Andrew Cherlin, a Johns Hopkins University professor.
See the Census Bureau's press release for tables showing showing population growth and loss from July 1, 2015 to July 1, 2016
- Top 10 Largest-Gaining Counties (Numeric Change), led by Maricopa County, Arizona.
- Top 10 Fastest-Growing Counties (Percent Change, Counties With a Population of 10,000 or More), led by San Juan County, Utah.
- Top 10 Largest-Declining Counties or County Equivalents (Numeric Change), led by Cook County, Illinois.
- Top 25 Fastest-Growing Metro Areas (Percent Change), led by The Villages, Florida.
FULL STORY: Population Declines Accelerate in Many Large Urban Areas
Population Growth Trends Return to Pre-Recession Norms
It's almost like the Great Recession and the Great Urban Renaissance never happened, as Americans are moving to the suburbs and the Sunbelt than to the nation's urban areas.
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.
New Census Data Confirms: Suburban Areas Lead U.S. Growth
Post-recession population growth in the United States looks a lot like pre-recession growth in the United States. As some have predicted or already noticed: the story of U.S. growth is still suburban.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research