r/dataisbeautiful • u/TA-MajestyPalm • 4d ago

OC [OC] Post-Pandemic Population Growth Trends, by US Metro Area (2022->2024)

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Graphic by me, created in Excel. All data from US Census here: https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-metro-and-micro-statistical-areas.html

I've created similar graphics in the past, but usually from 2020-2024. This is not the best time frame as it combines the abnormal covid years with post pandemic movement.

This time frame (2022-2024) shows the most current and ongoing population trends of the last 2 years.

I also wanted to better categorize the cities into broad cultural regions vs the arbitrary geographic census regions.

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u/Boundaries-ALO-TBSOL 3d ago

ORLANDO IS N.1 LETS GO!

Wait, this is a good thing or a bad thing?

43

u/Waste_Molasses_936 3d ago

Depends how do you like paying $500,000 for a house and getting paid $13-$15 an hour?

12

u/EnemysGate_Is_Down 3d ago

If you were in your formative years during the 70's/80's, you'd be reaching retirement around this timeframe.

My guess is lots of late stage boomers born in the 50s' and early '60s who grew up with Disney are now retiring there, driving the cost of homes up but not needing to worry about the min wage issue.

7

u/Boundaries-ALO-TBSOL 3d ago

: (

Never mind. Still love my city though. :3

3

u/forgivemefashion 3d ago

This is the issue! My fiancé and seriously considered moving to Orlando, got pre approved, and took a trip to look at houses…and we could not find high paying jobs to save our life! We ended up staying in Philly/NJ area

2

u/elboberto 3d ago

If you want a high paying job here, you need to be an executive in hospitality or the defense industry. That's pretty much it here, outside of the obvious doctor/lawyer/remote tech worker options.

1

u/PretzelOptician 3d ago

Both. Economics and demographics are complicated. But much better to be in a high growth area than one with a declining population (Detroit, New Orleans, Milwaukee, etc)