Detroit’s population saw a slight increase in 2023, a significant milestone in a city that has been experiencing a decline in residents for decades. The new census estimates showed a similar trend in other big cities in the Midwest and Northeast, with moderate population rebounds following previous pandemic-era declines. Cities in the South and Sun Belt continued to experience robust growth, with Southern cities growing an average of 1 percent. Mayor Mike Duggan of Detroit celebrated the new population estimate, which marked the first time since 1957 that the city did not experience a population loss. The efforts of the Duggan administration to revitalize the city have included renovations of thousands of houses, rising property values, and the construction of a new auto plant.
City leaders in Detroit have long been working to reverse the decline in population, which was driven by factors such as the shrinking auto industry, suburban flight, and municipal bankruptcy. The new population estimate was seen as a positive sign for Detroit, lifting the city slightly below levels from 2021. Other major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago also saw moderate population rebounds, returning to prepandemic trends with increased rates of growth and smaller population declines. Midsize cities across the country, with populations between 10,000 and 50,000 people, experienced growth in every region except the Northeast.
The Census Bureau reported that cities in the Northeast with populations of 50,000 or more grew by an average of 0.2 percent in 2023, after declining by 0.3 percent the previous year. In the Midwest, cities of that size grew by 0.1 percent in 2023 following an average decline of 0.2 percent in 2022. The largest 15 cities in 2023 remained the same as in 2022, though there were some changes in rankings. Mayor Duggan emphasized that the population growth in Detroit is the result of years of steady and difficult work, despite facing challenges like faltering demand for office space.
The growth in Detroit’s population is a significant achievement for the city, with the new estimates placing Detroit as the 26th most populous city in the nation, up from 29th in 2022. Mayor Duggan, who was elected in 2013 and is serving his third term, has made it a priority to get the city growing again. The population increase in Detroit is seen as a validation of his efforts and a fulfillment of a campaign promise he made before his first term. While challenges still remain, such as demand for office space, Detroit has made progress in renovating houses, increasing property values, and attracting new businesses like the Jeep auto plant.
The population growth in Detroit is part of a larger trend across the country, with cities in the South and Sun Belt continuing to experience strong growth in 2023. Southern cities grew an average of 1 percent, with Texas leading the way with eight of the fastest-growing cities. The new census estimates reflect a shift in migration patterns during the pandemic, with people moving out of larger cities and into smaller ones. Overall, the population rebounds in big cities like Detroit signal a positive step forward in revitalizing urban areas that have been affected by economic challenges and demographic shifts.
