Spring Break
Philadelphia's population declines
Josh Kurtz
Issue date: 4/6/07 Section: News
The United States Census Bureau recently released new population figures that show Philadelphia has dropped from its place as the nation's fifth-largest city. Philadelphia slipped to the sixth place, while Phoenix rose to fifth, and the figures imply that this might have happened as early as 2005.
According to experts, the population loss can be attributed to a variety of factors and trends.
According to Richardson Dilworth, a political science professor at the University, only certain demographics are leaving Philadelphia. Dilworth said that the lower income bracket (those below around $40,000 of income), and the high-income bracket (those with an income over approximately $80,000) are not leaving Philadelphia. Rather, it is the middle class that is seeing lower population numbers.
Dilworth said that the "specific peripheral areas" like the northeast and southwest parts of the city are experiencing Philadelphia's relative decline most. This is in part due to the fact that people are moving further out into the suburbs.
Often, middle class families cannot afford to live in the parts of the city with the best schools, since these areas often have higher property costs. Consequently, these families move into the suburbs.
Economics professor Mark Stehr also believes that the negative reputation of many of Philadelphia's public schools may hurt the city's population figures. In addition, Stehr cited the increased population in the Sunbelt states of the West and South as a possible reason for a migration away from Philadelphia.
"Philadelphia happens to be located in the Northeast, so it's part of a larger trend," Stehr said.
Both Dilworth and Stehr cited the lack of immigrants in Philadelphia in relation to other cities as a reason for the relative population decline. Dilworth explained that over the last 100 years, Philadelphia has not had as many immigrants as some other major cities.
Stehr mentioned that Philadelphia's population peaked around 1950 and then began to decline. "It may be that interstates made it easier to work in the city but live in the suburbs where people could have a lawn, garden and basketball hoop in the driveway," Stehr said.
According to experts, the population loss can be attributed to a variety of factors and trends.
According to Richardson Dilworth, a political science professor at the University, only certain demographics are leaving Philadelphia. Dilworth said that the lower income bracket (those below around $40,000 of income), and the high-income bracket (those with an income over approximately $80,000) are not leaving Philadelphia. Rather, it is the middle class that is seeing lower population numbers.
Dilworth said that the "specific peripheral areas" like the northeast and southwest parts of the city are experiencing Philadelphia's relative decline most. This is in part due to the fact that people are moving further out into the suburbs.
Often, middle class families cannot afford to live in the parts of the city with the best schools, since these areas often have higher property costs. Consequently, these families move into the suburbs.
Economics professor Mark Stehr also believes that the negative reputation of many of Philadelphia's public schools may hurt the city's population figures. In addition, Stehr cited the increased population in the Sunbelt states of the West and South as a possible reason for a migration away from Philadelphia.
"Philadelphia happens to be located in the Northeast, so it's part of a larger trend," Stehr said.
Both Dilworth and Stehr cited the lack of immigrants in Philadelphia in relation to other cities as a reason for the relative population decline. Dilworth explained that over the last 100 years, Philadelphia has not had as many immigrants as some other major cities.
Stehr mentioned that Philadelphia's population peaked around 1950 and then began to decline. "It may be that interstates made it easier to work in the city but live in the suburbs where people could have a lawn, garden and basketball hoop in the driveway," Stehr said.
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Mic Q
posted 3/25/08 @ 10:30 AM EST
good story, well written and informative. WHat is Philadelphia's population?
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