Largely because of industry and commerce, American cities grew immensely in the 20th century. In 1940, the five biggest cities in the US in terms of population were:
New York City, NY . . . . . . . 7.45 million (24,933 per square mile)
Chicago, IL . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.40 million (16,434 per square mile)
Philadelphia, PA . . . . . . . . 1.93 million (15,183 per square mile)
Detroit, MI . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.62 million (11,773 per square mile)
Los Angeles, CA . . . . . . . . 1.50 million (3,356 per square mile)
By 1950, LA had surpassed Detroit, even though Detroit's population was up to 1.85 million. As of the 1960 census, LA also overtook Philadelphia. Detroit still remained the fifth most populous city in the US (same as in 1950), though the now ongoing fifty-year plus exodus had begun -- it was down almost to 1940 levels, at 1.67 million.
Fast forward to 1990, and Detroit's population had ebbed noticeably: almost down to a million, and down to a sparser 7,411 people per square mile.
I've lived in three of four of the (at least formerly) biggest cities in the nation: all but New York City. By the time I moved to Detroit in the late 90s, the wide open rural spaces within its city limits were all-too-evident. Detroit was clearly a city in decline, and dropping below a million for the first time since 1920. (Overall, Detroit is now about the 11th largest city in the USA, and still falling).
New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia: all three have managed to forge ahead. All three utilize highly articulated mass transit systems. All three have managed to bring in more people over the decades. It's well-past time that Detroit, too, be managed in such a way as to bring people back into the city. After fifty years of free fall, perhaps the Detroit Lions will lead the way by example this year.
Main statistical source: Campbell Gibson, POPULATION OF THE 100 LARGEST CITIES AND OTHER URBAN PLACES IN THE UNITED STATES: 1790 TO 1990 (Population Division, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Washington, D.C., June 1998; Population Division Working Paper No. 27).
Today's Rune: Possessions.
5 comments:
I am a true Detroit girl. I grew up on the east side near City Airport and had to watch the great city of Detroit fall. I still love to go downtown, but I still get sad when I drive by my old hood. I still hope people won't give up on the D!!
There is much that is documented that began the free fall in Detroit. I remember growing up in the 5th largest city in the America where every house was filled by a family.
The largest deficit that Detroit had to overcome and the one that pervades the entire area is still the unwillingness to interact. Even that though is finally ending and the used to be antipathy between the races has turned into antipathy between the city and suburbs.
The Detroit metropolitan area is still divided along geographic line. Even the Black folk that have left the city no longer want any concourse with the places that gave them roots in the North.
The pervasive problem is in the minds of individuals and that is the rub. How do you change the group think when you know it has to be accomplished one mind at a time?
I believe a light rail system between Detroit, AA, Flint and Lansing would help but I also fear that it would be one way system with all rails leading out of Detroit and rarely back into it.
New Orleans experienced something similar, even before Katrina.
Erik, have been around to see alot of action in Detroit including the riots. Remember having a curfew when I summered with my Grandparents. Love events downtown but as interested in some of the lofts as I am, I cannot see moving till there are grocery stores, etc. that are more accesible. Maybe someday!
I predict that Chicago will begin a free-fall of sorts soon, at least the city proper. The suburbs will probably continue to prosper, but recent moves by the Mayor, privatizing parking meters, the quest for the Olympics despite numerous major problems with the infrastructure, the highest sales taxes in the country all point to mass exodus.
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