New census data show Chicago population decline

[Northsider]

Originally Posted by Jaybird

Interesting and shocking that Chicago's population has dipped that much. Is it just a combination of the struggling economy, gentrification, and maybe the increasing costs of living and/or taxes?

A little of everything. Basically the city can't compete with the suburbs and other regions of the USA.

[The Urban Politician]

Originally Posted by Jaybird

In any case, now Detroit is only 1.9 million behind Chicago for being the largest city in the midwest.

Only?

[The Urban Politician]

Originally Posted by jpIllInoIs

In 2008 Toledo challenged a census count that had the city dipping to 295K. After the recount they were at 316K. An increase of 18K. Chicago is 10 times larger than Toledo, it is possible that the census recount could yield an additional 180K-200K

There is no doubt in my mind that Chicago has about 150-200k more people than the census found

[JivecitySTL]

Originally Posted by The Urban Politician

There is no doubt in my mind that Chicago has about 150-200k more people than the census found

I don't know, I think the census may be off by a few thousand here or there (for every city), but it's a pretty accurate count for the most part. But think about how cities have changed over the years and it may make more sense. Not that long ago, it was commonplace for a middle-class family of five to occupy a 2-bedroom apartment. Now that people can get around much easier throughout metropolitan areas, there is no reason for people to live in such close quarters. Also consider the fact that there have been countless condo conversions in Chicago (and other older cities) that have reduced the number of units per building-- a turn-of-the-century building that was built for 20 small apartments may today contain 9 or 10 much larger condo units. Middle class families with kids generally do not move to or stay in cities the way they once did, so apartments, condos and homes in the city are more often filled with smaller households today. The population loss may be disappointing, but there's a much bigger backstory as to why it has occurred. Here in St. Louis, we had been poised to post our first population GAIN since 1950, and when the census instead indicated a net loss of 29,000, the entire city was terribly deflated. But that doesn't mean the quality of life declined along with the population. In fact, most people would attest that the exact opposite has occurred. As far as St. Louis is concerned, I think many neighborhoods are more vibrant today than they have been in decades.

[chicagogeorge]

In 2000 the estimate population under count was 3 million nationwide. You have to assume that the major US cities saw the bulk of the under count. Even if in 2000 they missed 50-100,000 people in Chicago, and for the sake of argument they missed the same amount this time around, Chicago still lost people. There is no getting around it. If anything, the 2010 census was supposed to do a better job in getting a more accurate count than in 2000....

[Jaybird]

Originally Posted by The Urban Politician

Only?

I was being sarcastic.

[Jim856796]

With all the ongoing development occurring in almost all areas of Chicago, I think its population needs to stop declining now.

[Ol' 606 Chi]

Chicago's population will grow once again if...
1. The city polititicans stop increasing taxes on goods and services, just to try to make up for their excessive spending, in attempts to overcome their ENORMOUS budget deficit.
2. This above statement also goes for Cook County. Stroger, please do us a favor...resign!!!
3. Improve public transportation. That means attempting to replace bus lines with more train lines. Train lines that most lay dormant or have been torn up recently.
4. Stop trying to appease white collar workers. Chicago is a major blue collar city. Always has been, always will be!!! If Chicago can increase work for more blue collar workers, that have moved either to the suburbs or the South, the population will increase at a faster rate than will for white collar workers!!!

Chicago needs to get back to its roots, and stop trying to be like other cities, i.e. New York. We are not New York, never wanted to be, and never will be!!!

[urbanpln]

Originally Posted by Ol' 606 Chi

4. Stop trying to appease white collar workers. Chicago is a major blue collar city. Always has been, always will be!!! If Chicago can increase work for more blue collar workers, that have moved either to the suburbs or the South, the population will increase at a faster rate than will for white collar workers!!!

Chicago needs to get back to its roots, and stop trying to be like other cities, i.e. New York. We are not New York, never wanted to be, and never will be!!!

Are you sure about that? These white collar jobs your referenced are the one bright stop in the economy in this city. Professional services have seen the strongest growth in the city and region over the past 15 years or longer while manufacturing has continued to decreased. It is a myth that this city is not a white collar town. That's why educated young people come from all over the mid-west to start there careers here. It offers opportunity to them. It is one of the largest financial centers in the world. One other thing. Those financial exchanges located on that street called LaSalle has been one of the links to the world for this city. It has some of the largest law firms, architectural and accounting firms in the world. It has consultants that consult all over the world. It has a wealth of fortune 500 companies headquartered here. There are 150,000 people employed in the cultural and entertainment sector.

The truth is city has enjoyed both a strong white collar community and blue collar workforce. The city didn't chose one over the other. It evolved into an white collar and administrative force and will be one with continued luck and determination. It has to continue growing as a white collar city while trying to attract new innovative industries.

Chicago population loss is much more complicated than it's abandoning its true roots. Some of those areas that saw big losses are in bad shape and need new leadership and a new paradigm for growth. The region also need a new approach to growth. Remember, the region continues to grow. Sprawl is truly killing the city. Until that is addressed the city will have challenges with growth.

[MilwaukeeMax]

while it's true that Chicago is historically a city that grew from blue collar industry, as urbanpln points out, it is now a major hub for banking and insurance as well. While Chicago will never be on par with New York City or Los Angeles, as far as several industries (particularly film and television) are concerned, there is something to be said about diversifying your local economy to have a good mix of white and blue collar jobs available. If the market in one area falters, at least you can count on other areas to keep your city together. Detroit didn't learn this lesson and put all their eggs in one basket, desperately trying to retain the automotive industry there. The Motor City is a decrepit shell of its former self because of that failed experiment.
Chicago should be just fine, although it does suffer in some areas that may be impossible to fix. Just like Milwaukee, Chicago only has a handful of areas that one could consider truly beautiful, attractive urban landscapes. Most of the rest of these two cities have the signature of tired, old, neglected midwestern urban cores... that may never change.

[urbanpln]

BTW, I was in Milwaukee last week for half a day. I was in the area of UWM or the Eastside. It was my first trip into the core city. I really like Milwaukee and think it is underrated. I was impressed with the drive down, I think the street is, Prospect to the Historic Third Ward. There's a lot to like there. I would chose Milwaukee over most of that sunbelt stuff everytime. I do plan to go back soon.

However I do differ with you on Chicago having only a handful of truly beautiful, attractive urban landscapes. Certainly, there are a lot of run down, ugly screwed up neighborhoods but there are quite a few well maintained magnificent areas also.

[Ol' 606 Chi]

Urbanpln:

Although I do agree with the fact that Chicago has both blue and white collar workers, the main argument of the forum was that the census of Chicago is declining and continues to decline. What I was trying to get at, is that its just not blue collar vs. white collar workers that is causing a population decline, if you had read my 3 previous bulleted points. It is well known that blue collar work forces can more significantly alter population dynamics than white collar labor. Additionally, blue collar workers historically have been known to have larger families, and higher birth rates, which has much more of an impact on population trends.
While I applaud Daley for what he did to renovate the city from its decrepit days in the 70's, 80's and 90's, we cannot undermine and displace blue collar workers. Unfortunately, they are the majority and the base/pillars of the pyramid!

[urbanpln]

Originally Posted by Ol' 606 Chi

It is well known that blue collar work forces can more significantly alter population dynamics than white collar labor. Additionally, blue collar workers historically have been known to have larger families, and higher birth rates, which has much more of an impact on population trends.
While I applaud Daley for what he did to renovate the city from its decrepit days in the 70's, 80's and 90's, we cannot undermine and displace blue collar workers. Unfortunately, they are the majority and the base/pillars of the pyramid!

Agreed. But I also wonder if its more than just that one thing. An example is NYC. It continues to increase in population because its service sector expanded greatly (1980's, 90's, 2000's) which attracts new immigrants looking for opportunity. L.A. has a hugh manufacturing base and a service sector. I don't know if its population increase is caused by an expanding manufacturing or service sector. I do know both sectors attract new residents including immigrants who tend to have larger families. Houston, Phoenix and Atlanta all have experienced better than average growth in their service sectors over the past 2 decades which has lead to large population gains.

I'm not saying you're wrong but job growth is job growth which tends to attract new people.