Manhattan’s Population Is on the Rebound

After the ‘urban exodus’ brought on by the pandemic, most of New York City’s boroughs are regaining their population.

2 minute read

June 10, 2022, 5:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Manhattan Skyline

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

As the pandemic began to shut down public life, Manhattan saw a sharp outmigration of households seeking more space and more affordable housing outside the city. “In that first pandemic year, New York City saw more outbound migration than any other metro area in the US, with at least 160,000 households fleeing between March 2020 and February 2021, according to the data provided by Melissa, which is sourced from US Postal Service change-of-address records.”

The trend is starting to reverse, however. “The largest US city still faces a tough road ahead with overall population declining, low office return figures threatening business survival and fear of crime cited as a deterrent to moving to the city,” writes Sarah Holder in Bloomberg CityLab. “But as suburban housing prices spiked and businesses reopened, the data shared by Melissa show that in the second year of the pandemic, migration out of Manhattan slowed down, and migration into the borough increased.” 

Meanwhile, “A gradual return to in-office work, at least part-time, and the city’s enduring allure as a global destination are driving some people back. Limited and increasingly expensive housing inventory outside the city may also be making it harder to leave.” According to the article, “Of the five New York City boroughs, all but Staten Island and the Bronx have gained new residents compared to the first year of the pandemic. Manhattan gained the most.” With the suburban housing market growing more competitive, leaving the city is becoming less attractive.

Wednesday, June 8, 2022 in Bloomberg CityLab

Large historic homes and white picket fences line a street.

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

March 23, 2023 - The Washington Post

Amtrak Acela Express train passing through Harrison station in Newark, New Jersey

‘Train Daddy’ Andy Byford to Oversee Amtrak’s High-Speed Rail Efforts

Byford, who formerly ran NYC Transit and Transport for London, could bring renewed vigor to the agency’s plans to expand regional rail in the United States.

March 28, 2023 - StreetsBlog NYC

Buses in downtown Seattle on the dedicated 3rd Avenue bus lanes

Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations

An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.

March 28, 2023 - Axios

View of Statue of Liberty with New York City skyline in background

Immigration Grows, Population Drops in Many U.S. Counties

International immigration to the country’s most populous areas tripled even as major metropolitan areas continued to lose population.

March 31 - The New York Times

Detroit Sports Arena

$616 Million in Development Incentives Approved for District Detroit

The “Transformational Brownfield” incentives approved by the Detroit City Council for the $1.5 billion District Detroit still require approval by the state.

March 31 - Detroit Free Press

A red sign reads, “Welcome to New Canaan.”

Affordable Housing Development Rejected for Lack of Third Staircase in Connecticut

The New Canaan Planning Commission rejected a development proposal, including 31 below-market-rate apartments, for lack of a third staircase, among other reasons, at a time when advocates are pushing to relax two-staircase requirements.

March 31 - Stamford Advocate

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

HUD’s 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.