Philly population declines - only New Orleans loses more residents

Philly population declines – only New Orleans loses more residents

A Philadelphia Inquirer article looks at Philadelphia’s population decline from 2000-2007, in which the city lost 68,000 residents (continuing a downward trend). The Post-Gazette has a related article on Pittsburgh’s population decline. (HT GrassrootsPA).

What is stunning is that none of the experts interviewed offered a theory as to why Philadelphia (and Pittsburgh) are in decline – other than “not enough jobs” being created. Hmm … no idea why the city with the second highest local tax rate in the country is losing residents? No idea why interstate migration favors low-tax, less regulated, right-to-work states? Really?