What Next for Cities, After 'Peak Millennial'?

The question of whether the largest generation in U.S. history will maintain its lover affair with urban living is either the elephant in the room of the million dollar question.

1 minute read

January 25, 2017, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Millennials

nito / Shutterstock

"A number of demographers, along with economists and real estate consultants, are starting to contemplate what urban cores will look like now that the generation — America’s largest — is cresting," according to an article by Conor Dougherty.

Dougherty launches this investigation from the starting point presented in the work of Dowell Myers, a professor of demography and urban planning at the University of Southern California. Myers published a paper in 2016 noting that American cities reached peak millennial [pdf] in 2015. Planetizen covered the original analysis of Myers's research in two separate articles—one from February 2016 and another from March 2016.

Dougherty looks at rental prices in cities around the country for evidence of one of the key claims made by Myers: that over the next few years, "the growth in demand for urban living is likely to stall."

"Apartment rents in San Francisco, Washington, Denver, Miami and New York are moderating or even declining from a year ago," writes Dougherty while citing data from Zillow.

Acknowledging that the idea that Millennials might depart the city en masse, taking high rents and gentrification with them, is "full of contours and caveats," Dougherty considers a number of opinions from leading thinkers on what will happen to cities as the Millennial Generation comes of age.

Monday, January 23, 2017 in The New York Times

stack of books

Planetizen’s Top Planning Books of 2023

The world is changing, and planning with it.

November 24, 2023 - Planetizen Team

Close-up of 'Red Line Subway Entry' sign with Braille below and train logo above text in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Red Line Extension Could Transform the South Side

The city’s transit agency is undertaking its biggest expansion ever to finally bring rail to the South Side.

November 24, 2023 - The Architect's Newspaper

Row of brick three-story townhomes in Britih Columbia.

More Affordable Housing for People, Less for Cars

Most jurisdictions have off-street parking requirements that increase motorists’ convenience but reduce housing affordability. It’s time to reform these policies for the sake of efficiency and fairness.

November 20, 2023 - Todd Litman

Man with protective mask measures the moisture level on a white wall with green mold in an apartment.

In Rush to Build, Older Housing is Overlooked

Older homes provide an affordable housing lifeline, but poor conditions often lead to serious health impacts for residents.

5 hours ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Aerial view of massive Los Angeles freeway interchange with dense housing and industrial areas around it.

Fire Officials Say More LA Freeway Underpasses at Fire Risk

The city’s fire department is surveying other underpasses for hazardous materials and other code violations that led to the November 11 fire that shut down a key interstate segment.

6 hours ago - Fox 11 Los Angeles

SMall backyard cottage ADU in San Diego, California.

San Diegans at Odds Over ‘Granny Towers’

A provision in the city’s ADU ordinance allows developers to build an essentially unlimited number of units on single-family lots.

7 hours ago - CALmatters

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

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.