Pa.'s population has decreased since 2020, but Lehigh Valley's growth continues
Pennsylvania's population has dropped by around 41,100 since 2020, but the Lehigh Valley remains a growing outlier, according to new population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
"I'm mean, we've had sustained population growth since at least the 1960s and if you average it out it's at least 4,000 persons per year," said Becky Bradley.
Lehigh County's population is up by more than 3,000 people since 2020. Northampton County saw double the increase in that time — and remains No. 1 in the state for growth in the 18-34 year-old demographic.
"I watched all my classmates. Most of them leave, and today we're talking about this area being the fastest growing for that demographic of population, so that's a huge turn around in a relatively short period of time," said Don Cunningham.
Bradley says if we continue on this path, the Lehigh valley will have 1 million people by 2050.
"The Baby Boomer generation is the largest population in the Lehigh valley, followed by Millennials, then Gen-Z and Gen-X, but they're all very similar in the total number of people," said Bradley. "That's critical for a healthy workforce."
Carbon and Schuylkill Counties also saw an increase of around 700 people each. Monroe County saw a decrease of more than 2,000 people.
Overall, Pike County is now the fastest growing county in Pennsylvania, while Philadelphia County saw the biggest drop. More than 53,000 people left the latter for other areas — like the Lehigh Valley — over the last 3 years.
"A lot of it has to do with our proximity to things, but also because we do maintain our own economy and we have a very health and diverse job market," Bradley said.