These 10 PA cities grew the most in 2021. Plus, the ones that lost the most residents

Pennsylvania’s population fell slightly in 2021, census data shows.

The state had slightly less than 13 million residents as of July 1, 2021, according to population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau — a drop of 0.3% from the 2020 census.

Estimates as of July 1, 2021, show Philadelphia remains the state’s biggest city, with a population of 1.58 million. That marks a decrease of 1.55% from the year before, when there were 1.6 million residents.

Pittsburgh, Allentown, Reading and Erie round out the top five largest cities. All saw population decreases from the previous year.

Pennsylvania by the numbers

These are the fastest growing boroughs/cities in the state and the change in population:

1. Phoenixville: +438
2. Wind Gap: +354
3. Marietta: +350
4. New Freedom: +188
5. Mechanicsburg: +175
6. Valencia: +146
7. Downingtown: +138
8. Lansdale: +116
9. Hazleton: +113
10. Carlisle: +93

These are the fastest shrinking boroughs/cities in the state and the change in population:

1. Philadelphia: -24,754
2. Pittsburgh: -2,346
3. Erie: -640
4. Bethel Park: -387
5. Altoona: -345
6. Monroeville: -291
7. Baldwin: -259
8. Plum: -235
9. State College: -231
10. West Mifflin: -212

These are the largest cities based on population in the state:

1. Philadelphia: 1,576,251
2. Pittsburgh: 300,431
3. Allentown: 125,944
4. Reading: 94,844
5. Erie: 93,999
6. Scranton: 75,874
7. Bethlehem: 75,624
8. Lancaster: 57,503
9. Harrisburg: 50,135
10. York: 44,834

Centre County population changes in 2021

This story was originally published June 8, 2022 at 6:00 AM.