New Census Data Confirms: Suburban Areas Lead U.S. Growth

Post-recession population growth in the United States looks a lot like pre-recession growth in the United States. As some have predicted or already noticed: the story of U.S. growth is still suburban.

1 minute read

March 23, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Suburban School Crossing

rSnapshotPhotos / Shutterstock

"Population growth in big cities slowed for the fifth-straight year in 2016," reports Jed Kolko, in an initial analysis of U.S. Census Bureau statistics released earlier today. His pronunciation to accompany the data: "The suburbanization of America marches on."

To complete his analysis, Kolko grouped each of the more than 3,000 U.S. counties into six categories: "urban centers of large metropolitan areas; their densely populated suburbs; their lightly populated suburbs; midsize metros; smaller metro areas; and rural counties, which are outside metro areas entirely."

Of these six categories, Kolko found the fastest growth in the lower-density suburbs. "Those counties grew by 1.3 percent in 2016, the fastest rate since 2008, when the housing bust put an end to rapid homebuilding in these areas."

Kolko also says what you've probably been thinking while reading those findings: "Those figures run counter to the 'urban revival' narrative that has been widely discussed in recent years."

Kolko's analysis takes closer look at the data, finding which kinds of geographic areas are growing and which are shrinking. 

Thursday, March 23, 2017 in FiveThirtyEight

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

7 hours ago - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

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.