Detroit population rank is lowest since 1850; but at slower pace

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau, Detroit’s population is at its lowest since 1850.

The latest information from the Census Bureau shows the D has dropped from 18th place to 21st.

The recent numbers are not too surprising to some experts.

“It is that issue, that whole issue, that Detroit has been losing that populations and a lot of the cities in the south and the west have been gaining. So Detroit has continuously dropped. It was number 4 at one time,” said Kurt Metzger.

Metzger is the founder of Data Driven Detroit, a company which collects, analyzes, and makes available a variety of data in Detroit and the metro area.

He says while the population has decreased, the mass exodus from the city has slowed tremendously.

“When you start to look around Campus Martius and you start to see the rebuilding, building permits coming on, it used to be we lost population, nothing was happening. Just people were running out. Now people are running in and now the housing can’t keep up with the demand. At least downtown, midtown, river,” said Metzger.

Metzger thinks there could be a turn around in the city. He says in 2017 there could be an increase in numbers.

If that is the case it would be the first time since 1950.

Metzger adds there are also less people leaving because the property value in the suburbs is increasing and it is getting harder and harder to rent there.

For someone like Darriel Byrd, who lives on the east side, where there are quite a few abandoned homes and not much opportunity, he says he will need a lot more to make him stay.

“Job opportunity is definitely needed,” said Byrd. “A good, healthy source of food would be a great thing… supermarket chain.”

Agencies/Canadajournal