What’s happening?
More than 35,000 residents vacated Baltimore City in the last decade, according to recently released U.S. Census data. This 5.7% population decrease brought the city’s population to 585,708 people in 2020.
Data also showed that in 2019, the city’s population dipped below 600,000 for the first time in more than a century.
How did this happen?
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott attributes much of the decline to Black residents fleeing the city (not to mention white flight) over the past century. The mayor said key ingredients to attracting new residents include implementing plans to reduce crime, increase affordable rental and homeownership opportunities, support marginalized entrepreneurs, and improve the local transit system.
Anything else I should know?
Population growth will bring in more tax revenue and federal assistance to the city.
You can read more here.
