Urban flight slowing down

Several years ago it seemed that a lot of urban dwellers couldn't wait to get out of the cities and into the peaceful greenery of the suburbs.

In 2001, Philadelphia lost 15,205 people. The next year, 13,337 fled, and the following year, 11,911. Subsequent migrations declined but were still significant.

But fresh census figures show that these exoduses have dwindled throughout the country and that some cities have reversed the trend and gained population.

Experts say that the reasons are the housing crunch, recession and higher gas prices.

Not reflected in the figures is the possibility that people who once rejected urban living are deciding that the city may not be such a bad place to live in as they thought.

Census data released yesterday show that New York and Chicago made population gains from increased births. Also showing rebounds were industrial centers in Minneapolis and St. Paul; Columbus, Ohio, and Lincoln, Neb.

Only 1,236 left Philadelphia in 2008. Detroit, as might be expected from its ailing auto industry, lost people, while West Coast cities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle posted gains.

"Cities are showing a continued vitality as hubs of activity even as some suburban and exurban areas go through tough times," said William Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution.

Philadelphia was once the nation's third-largest city, behind New York and Chicago. Now, with a population of 1,447,395 last year, it ranks sixth. *

- John F. Morrison