Special Report
This is the Fastest Shrinking Place in Pennsylvania
Published:
Last Updated:
The U.S. population grew by just 0.35% between July 2019 and July 2020, the smallest annual growth rate in well over a century. Driven in part by restrictions on immigration and a declining birth rate, stagnant population growth may have profound and far reaching consequences — including reduced economic growth, stagnanting home values, and fewer workers to support an aging population.
This trend is by no means unique to last year. Over the past decade, cities and towns across the country have reported rapid population decline.
The borough of Bellwood has the fastest shrinking population in Pennsylvania, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Currently home to an estimated 1,620 people, Bellwood’s population declined by 21.0% from 2010 to 2019. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s population expanded by 1.4% over the same period.
While declining immigration and falling birth rates largely explain the national slowdown in population growth, at the local level, these factors are compounded by residents moving out. An estimated 40 million Americans move each year, and one of the most common reasons is for improved economic opportunity.
Outbound migration from Bellwood may be due in part to lower than average incomes in the area. The typical area household earns $51,964 a year, while most households across Pennsylvania earn at least $61,744.
All data in this story are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. All cities, towns, villages, boroughs, and census designated places with populations of at least 1,000 and where the margin of error for the population was less than 10% were considered. This is the fastest shrinking place in every state.
Place | Pop. change, 2010 to 2019 | State pop. change, 2010 to 2019 | Total population, 2010 | Total population, 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama: Forestdale | -17.5% | +3.5% | 10,811 | 8,924 |
Alaska: Big Lake | -17.6% | +6.6% | 3,250 | 2,678 |
Arizona: San Carlos | -19.4% | +12.9% | 5,523 | 4,451 |
Arkansas: Brinkley | -17.5% | +4.4% | 3,324 | 2,742 |
California: Willowbrook | -35.1% | +7.2% | 35,174 | 22,811 |
Colorado: Lincoln Park | -21.9% | +14.8% | 4,204 | 3,283 |
Connecticut: Putnam | -11.9% | +0.8% | 7,505 | 6,615 |
Delaware: Glasgow | -8.2% | +8.6% | 15,648 | 14,359 |
Florida: Siesta Key | -15.2% | +12.9% | 6,573 | 5,573 |
Georgia: Druid Hills | -42.7% | +9.9% | 14,603 | 8,365 |
Hawaii: Waimanalo Beach | -11.9% | +6.6% | 4,629 | 4,076 |
Idaho: Mountain Home AFB | -16.7% | +12.5% | 3,613 | 3,009 |
Illinois: Cairo | -28.5% | +0.2% | 2,963 | 2,120 |
Indiana: Dunkirk | -17.0% | +3.9% | 2,437 | 2,022 |
Iowa: Sac City | -12.8% | +4.1% | 2,294 | 2,001 |
Kansas: Oswego | -21.4% | +3.6% | 2,133 | 1,676 |
Kentucky: Fort Knox | -27.1% | +3.8% | 11,933 | 8,695 |
Louisiana: Norco | -15.6% | +5.3% | 3,375 | 2,850 |
Maine: Winslow | -37.0% | +0.6% | 7,823 | 4,928 |
Maryland: Sykesville | -11.6% | +5.7% | 4,454 | 3,939 |
Massachusetts: Oxford | -12.2% | +5.8% | 6,373 | 5,595 |
Michigan: Beecher | -23.7% | +0.1% | 11,842 | 9,041 |
Minnesota: Appleton | -35.2% | +6.1% | 2,178 | 1,412 |
Mississippi: Winona | -17.2% | +1.4% | 5,105 | 4,227 |
Missouri: Spanish Lake | -19.8% | +3.1% | 21,803 | 17,485 |
Montana: Malmstrom AFB | -13.3% | +7.9% | 4,820 | 4,179 |
Nebraska: Franklin | -13.5% | +6.4% | 1,192 | 1,031 |
Nevada: Hawthorne | -26.2% | +12.9% | 3,640 | 2,686 |
New Hampshire: Derry | -4.7% | +2.6% | 22,884 | 21,817 |
New Jersey: Avalon | -26.5% | +1.8% | 1,914 | 1,406 |
New Mexico: Zuni Pueblo | -26.5% | +3.9% | 9,527 | 7,001 |
New York: South Nyack | -39.0% | +1.8% | 5,548 | 3,387 |
North Carolina: James City | -14.1% | +10.7% | 6,236 | 5,354 |
North Dakota: Bottineau | -14.4% | +14.7% | 2,445 | 2,094 |
Ohio: Wheelersburg | -14.3% | +1.2% | 7,099 | 6,082 |
Oklahoma: Watonga | -43.9% | +7.0% | 5,139 | 2,881 |
Oregon: Roseburg North | -26.9% | +9.8% | 6,919 | 5,059 |
Pennsylvania: Bellwood | -21.0% | +1.4% | 2,047 | 1,618 |
Rhode Island: Warwick | -3.2% | +0.1% | 83,676 | 80,993 |
South Carolina: Allendale | -17.0% | +11.3% | 3,626 | 3,009 |
South Dakota: Fort Thompson | -13.5% | +8.9% | 1,428 | 1,235 |
Tennessee: Belle Meade | -21.1% | +7.6% | 2,891 | 2,280 |
Texas: San Elizario | -36.1% | +16.2% | 14,277 | 9,126 |
Utah: Price | -2.5% | +16.5% | 8,473 | 8,265 |
Vermont: St. Johnsbury | -12.7% | +0.0% | 6,722 | 5,865 |
Virginia: Mason Neck | -11.5% | +7.8% | 2,245 | 1,986 |
Washington: Fairchild AFB | -19.8% | +12.8% | 4,159 | 3,336 |
West Virginia: Nitro | -15.3% | -1.3% | 7,083 | 5,997 |
Wisconsin: Nashotah | -21.5% | +2.7% | 1,553 | 1,219 |
Wyoming: Warren AFB | -15.0% | +6.5% | 2,888 | 2,456 |
A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.