CENSUS: Philadelphia Grew By 7,000 Residents Last Year, Sixth The Straight Year Of Population Growth

INQUIRER: While other northern cities saw population declines, Philadelphia’s population inched upward last year, rising by 7,000 to 1,547,297, according to 2009 U.S. Census figures released Tuesday. That was the sixth straight year of gains for the city, helping it remain the nation’s sixth most populous city, the report said. The Top 5, in decreasing order: New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Phoenix, which overtook Philadelphia in 2006. Projections from early in the decade showed Philadelphia with yearly population declines, but a turnaround began in 2004. The biggest jumps took place from 2006 to 2008, with yearly increases of 10,000 residents. MORE