5 Biggest US Cities Facing Depopulation by 2100

In this article, we will take a look at the 5 biggest US cities facing depopulation by 2100. If you want to read our discussion on the population trends, you can go directly to the 15 Biggest US Cities Facing Depopulation by 2100.

5. Cleveland, OH

Five-Year Change: -6.20%

Annual Loss Rate: -1.29%

Cleveland, Ohio, has been experiencing a population decline for several decades, primarily since the 1950s. The city’s population peaked during the 1920s. By the 1980s, it had lost its position among the 10 largest cities in the US in terms of population. The downward trend continued in the 2000s, 2010s, and in 2020. However, certain neighborhoods, like Downtown and University Circle, have recorded growth in population. The decline of the heavy industry, a major contributor to the city’s economy, has led to outmigration from Cleveland. Furthermore, like many other American cities, Cleveland has experienced substantial suburbanization over the years.

4. Baltimore, MD

Five-Year Change: -6.82%

Annual Loss Rate: -0.753%

Baltimore has been observing a population decline for decades now, with 2022 statistics indicating a decrease of 1.2%. This led to the city’s total population declining to about 569,930, a number last seen in the early 1910s. Job losses, along with various economic challenges, high crime rates, and suburbanization, have led to a decreasing population.

3. St. Louis, MO

Five-Year Change: -7.14%

Annual Loss Rate: -1.356%

St. Louis has been faced with a population decline for several years now. Between April 2020 and July 2022, the entire St. Louis region lost around 19,000 people. Moreover, the population decline was seen in both younger and older age groups. Several factors have led to the decrease in the city’s population. These include a tight job market, a higher crime rate as compared to other cities, the migration of residents to suburban areas, and demographic and economic shifts in the Midwestern region.

2. Birmingham, AL

Five-Year Change: -7.7%

Annual Loss Rate: 0.74%

Birmingham’s population reached its peak in 1960 at roughly 340,000. However, since that peak, the city has faced a continuous decline in population. Several key factors contributed to this demographic shift, including the loss of manufacturing jobs due to the decline in heavy industries, the city’s reliance on traditional economic sectors, and the growth of suburban areas, which led to the migration of residents away from the city centers.

1. Detroit, MI

Five-Year Change: -7.83%

Annual Loss Rate: -1.322%

Detroit has experienced one of the most dramatic shifts in urban population in the US. In the 1950s, it held the position of the fifth most populous city, but since then, it has witnessed a significant decline, losing around 61% of its population. One of the key reasons for the population decrease has been the decentralization of the automotive industry, which has led to job losses and economic decline in the city.