Revealed: These are the Fastest-Shrinking Cities in America

In 2023, the population growth of the United States was remarkably sluggish, increasing only by 0.4% when compared to the previous year. While some American cities witnessed significant population growth over the last five years, several notable urban areas experienced a considerable exodus of residents. Most of these declines occurred in Rust Belt metropolitan areas, but there were exceptions.

To identify the fastest-shrinking large cities in the U.S., CEOWORLD magazine analyzed population data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey one-year estimates. We compiled a list of 19 metropolitan statistical areas that saw a population drop of at least 5% from 2016 to 2021. Additionally, we incorporated seasonally adjusted December employment figures obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate employment growth during the same period.

Despite enduring shifts in U.S. geographical patterns, a significant portion of the nation’s population remains concentrated in three states, i.e., California, Texas, and Florida, with the latter two contributing significantly to overall population growth. However, our research indicates that specific metro areas within these populous states experienced a decline in residents.

1. Kalamazoo-Portage, MI

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -22.5% (-75,769)
  •   2021 population: 261,108

2. Fort Smith, AR-OK

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -11.9% (-33,566)
  •   2021 population: 247,661

3. Shreveport-Bossier City, LA

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -11.9% (-52,612)
  •   2021 population: 389,155

4. Sioux City, IA-NE-SD

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -11.0% (-18,547)
  •   2021 population: 149,400

5. Grand Island, NE

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -11.0% (-9,409)
  •   2021 population: 76,175

6. Panama City, FL

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -10.8% (-21,725)
  •   2021 population: 179,168

7. Bloomington, IL

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -8.8% (-16,437)
  •   2021 population: 170,889

8. Blacksburg-Christiansburg, VA

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -8.2% (-15,007)
  •   2021 population: 168,404

9. Chico, CA

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -8.2% (-18,555)
  •   2021 population: 208,309

10. Pine Bluff, AR

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -7.8% (-7,324)
  •   2021 population: 86,747

11. Champaign-Urbana, IL

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -7.2% (-17,176)
  •   2021 population: 222,696

12. Corpus Christi, TX

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -6.6% (-30,012)
  •   2021 population: 422,778

13. Danville, IL

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -6.4% (-5,016)
  •   2021 population: 73,095

14. Beckley, WV

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -6.0% (-7,226)
  •   2021 population: 113,698

15. Goldsboro, NC

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -5.9% (-7,315)
  •   2021 population: 116,835

16. Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -5.8% (-7,063)
  •   2021 population: 113,798

17. St. Joseph, MO-KS

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -5.7% (-7,254)
  •   2021 population: 120,274

18. Fairbanks, AK

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -5.0% (-5,012)
  •   2021 population: 95,593

19. Cumberland, MD-WV

• •   2016-2021 population growth: -5.0% (-4,955)
  •   2021 population: 94,586

These statistics are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey one-year estimates and include employment figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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