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/YeOldeWelshman 3d ago

Wild to see the South exploding in population, meanwhile I'm trying to get out of this humid festering shithole. I guess it's a different experience when you have a decent income.

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u/the__storm 3d ago

It's crazy to me as well - do all these people never go outside? I know cost of living can be lower down there but yeesh, at what cost

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u/SteveBored 3d ago

100 degrees doesn't bother me. 40 degrees and I'm dead.

People are different

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u/YeOldeWelshman 3d ago

Any cost of living decrease is completely negated by the fact that housing is more "beach accessible" (and hurricane accessible) and therefore comes at a higher cost.

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u/yourdailyorwell 2d ago

I walk/bike around every single day, it's really not that bad. If it gets at/above 105 you just wait a couple hours until the hottest part of the day has passed.