Phoenix May Replace Philly As Fifth Largest City

After losing 54,000 people this decade alone in its most rapid clip ever, Philadelphia is on the verge of ceding the 'Fifth Most Populated City' title to Phoenix.

1 minute read

June 24, 2006, 9:00 AM PDT

By Matt Baumann

Depending on who you ask, Pheonix may soon overtake Philadelphia as the fifth most populated city in the United States. Last July, the margin between the two cities was only 1,706. Though exact figures are hard to know for sure, population trends show Phoenix moving on up and Philly moving on down.

"For what it's worth, the state of Arizona does its own population estimates, and it has Phoenix with nearly 9,000 fewer people than the census does. Even so, Phoenix appears to be growing more rapidly than any other of the country's 10 biggest cities."

"And the trend lines are clear. Someday soon, Philadelphia will slip behind Phoenix and become America's sixth-largest city - if it hasn't happened already."

"Philadelphia should be able to hang onto that title into the next decade. San Antonio, which is number seven, still trails by more than 200,000 people. But it's gaining, and quickly."

FULL STORY: Phila.'s status as fifth-largest city now in jeopardy

Wednesday, June 21, 2006 in The Philadelphia Inquirer

Social / Demographics Arizona Pennsylvania

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