Philadelphia population finally stabilizes

At 1.5 million people, the city beat its previous yearly estimate by about 90,000. The city’s population peaked just above 2 million in 1950.

The city of Philadelphia has gotten some good news in the form of revised census numbers.

Listen:
[audio: 091202tmcensus.mp3]

Philadelphia has stopped shrinking.

That’s according to the census bureau, which now agrees with the city’s contention that 2008’s census estimate was almost 95,000 people short.

At 1.5 million people, the city beat its previous yearly estimate by about 90,000. The city’s population peaked just above 2 million in 1950.

Patricia Enright is in charge of the city’s effort to get an accurate count in 2010.

Enright: I think the idea that after 50 years of decline and after so many decades of Philadelphia being told that folks are moving out we can say now that they are coming back and that Philadelphia is a terrific place to live and work and raise a family.

Enright says the city now will use the decision to build momentum in the 2010 census, to make sure every Philadelphia resident is counted properly.