ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the issue of population attrition in US cities, which has resulted in a trend known as shrinking cities, in the context of population shifts over the last decade (2010–2020). Demographic statistics show that, despite a rise in the country's overall population, its rate of growth is slowing and the racial composition is becoming more diverse. The US population is ageing, as evidenced by the growing median age, an increasing proportion of persons aged 65 and above, dropping birth and fertility rates, and a declining influx of migrants from abroad. Negative natural growth and net migration balances as well as adverse economic changes are typical characteristics of cities experiencing shrinkage. The situation is most acute in the Industrial Belt area, where local and state governments are working together to implement a range of development strategies and plans with the purpose of revitalising, reorganising, and modernising the financial and spatial-functional structures of local communities. The primary objective of the ongoing multi-year programmes is to revitalise their economies based on an expanding third sector by implementing extensive modifications to the physical environment as well as societal, aesthetic, and legal changes. It should be noted, however, that expectations and policy objectives must be suited to the size and importance of various city types. The authors of this chapter draw on population estimates and census data from the website of the U.S. Census Bureau.
