According to new estimates from the Census Bureau, many of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas are experiencing a reversal in their resident declines. This is due in part to an influx of young adults and immigrants.
The estimates show that the population of the US rose by 0.7 percent in the 12 months ending July 1, with the largest increases occurring in metropolitan areas such as New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. The increase in population is being driven by domestic migration, with more people moving to cities than leaving them.
This is in stark contrast to the previous decade, when many of the nation’s biggest cities experienced a steady drop in population due to out-migration. The influx of people to cities is being driven by the search for better job opportunities, as well as the availability of amenities such as cultural attractions and entertainment. As cities become more attractive to residents, they have the potential to spur economic growth and development.