New statistics show more people moved into New York City than out of it last year. It's the first time in more than 60 years.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg cheered the reversal as a sign of the city's quality of life Thursday. The finding comes from new census estimates.
"For the first time since before 1950, more people are coming to New York City than leaving," said Mayor Bloomberg. "We have many indicators of quality of life in the city – record low crime, record high tourism, record high life expectancy, record high graduation rates, record job growth and more – but there's no better indication of the strength of our city than a record high population and a net population influx. People are voting with their feet."
Overall, the city's estimated population has grown by more than 161,500 people since 2010. It's at a record high of 8.3 million.
The growth is also due to a growing gap between births and deaths as life expectancy increases.
Many major American cities' populations began to shrink as suburbs grew after World War II. The decline became especially sharp in the 1970s.
Bloomberg says the all-time high population and net influx of residents is one of a number of recent measures that show quality of life in New York City is better than ever:
Record Lows
Murders: 419 in 2012
Shootings: 1,353 in 2012
Incarceration rates: 474 inmates per 100,000 residents in New York City in 2011
Teen pregnancy: 72.6 pregnancies per 1,000 girls in 2010
Emergency response times: Six minutes and 30 seconds in 2012
Fire fatalities: 58 in 2012
Record Highs
Private-sector jobs:3.2 million
Life expectancy: Average of 80.9 years
Tourists: 52 million in 2012
High school graduation rate: 65 percent
Percentage of New Yorkers who live within a 10-minute walk of a park: 76 percent
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:31 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:31:10 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:18:28 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:43:15 GMT
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan.
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan. The protesters said Thursday they want Wendy's to sign an agreement to safeguard working conditions for Florida tomato pickers.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:55:29 GMT
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:23:09 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:28 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:28:29 GMT
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
