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

[u/TA-MajestyPalm]

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.

[u/albertoshabazz]

This is a nice graph. I would be interested to see it using only like 18-24 year olds (or a similar age range) to get a sense of where younger people at the start of their journey are choosing to settle.

I wonder if millenials/genX are all about their own individual "experiences", so they move out West where its sunny/outdoorsy and they're like completely liberated away from the control structures back home, and the old silent/boomers of the MidWest/NorthEast are moving where its warm/dying off. So on a total population basis a place like PGH would show stagnation/decline. But for a fresh young person, perhaps cost of living, everyday utility, and a less, shall we say, individualistic environment might be more enticing (so a place like PGH might be more enticing).