According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released, America’s Northeast and Midwest cities are slowly rebounding from years of population decline. Detroit, Michigan, the largest city in the state, saw a population increase of 1,852 people last year, marking the first growth in decades. This milestone for Detroit comes after years of decline due to various factors such as suburban white flight, race riots, and the national economic downturn. Mayor Mike Duggan sees this as a significant moment for the city, highlighting its return to growth and its importance on a national scale.
While some cities in the Northeast and Midwest also experienced modest population reversals, the South continues to dominate the nation’s growth. 13 out of the 15 fastest-growing cities in the U.S. were located in the South last year, with cities like San Antonio, Texas, Fort Worth, Texas, and Charlotte, North Carolina leading in population growth. New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco, among others, managed to curb population losses, with Chicago even seeing a slight increase in population last year. Despite this, New York City remains the most populous in the nation.
For Detroit, the population increase is seen as a sign of continued progress and confidence in the city. Following the city’s exit from bankruptcy in 2014, significant efforts were made to address blight and improve city services, with billions of dollars allocated for these purposes. Mayor Duggan has credited the return of jobs and the auto industry to the city as contributing factors to its growth. However, ongoing frictions with the Census Bureau over population estimates have been a source of contention. Detroit sued the Census Bureau over estimates that showed it had lost residents in 2021, leading to challenges around how the population is counted.
Overall, Detroit’s population increase signals a positive trajectory for the city after years of decline. Ongoing efforts to address blight, improve city services, and attract jobs have contributed to this growth. The city’s recent milestone is a testament to its resilience and determination to rise from challenges of the past. While challenges around accurate population counts remain, Detroit’s progress serves as a notable example of urban revitalization in a changing demographic landscape in the U.S.
