While Pennsylvania’s population struggles to grow, Montgomery County stands out with a 1% increase from 2022 to 2023, bucking the statewide average of stagnation and decline, writes Jess Thomson for Newsweek.
Surrounding counties tell a mixed story: Bucks and Delaware Counties saw no growth, Chester County enjoyed a 3% increase, and Philadelphia County suffered a 3% decline, mirroring population losses in some urban areas.
Pennsylvania’s shrinking population reflects broader demographic challenges, with deaths outpacing births and one of the nation’s lowest fertility rates—just 53.3 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44, according to the CDC. In comparison, states like South Dakota, Alaska, and Texas lead in fertility rates, with Texas boasting 61.9 births per 1,000 women and significant population growth.
“I expect Texas will continue to grow, from just over 30 million today, and maybe reach 45, maybe even 50 million by the year 2050,” said population expert Poston. Texas’s robust growth contrasts sharply with Pennsylvania, where population stagnation may pose long-term economic and social challenges.
Nationally, the U.S. reached a historic low in birth rates in 2023, with just 1.6 children per woman, compounding challenges for states like Pennsylvania. Montgomery County’s modest growth offers a rare bright spot in an otherwise difficult landscape for the state’s population trends.
Read more about Montgomery County’s population compared to the rest of the state in Newsweek.
