For First Time in Decades, Detroit's Population Grows

The latest estimate by the Census Bureau puts the population of Detroit at 633,218, just a smidge higher than the previous count of 631,366. But the uptick of fewer than 2,000 people from 2022 to 2023 is noteworthy nonetheless—it marks the first time since 1957 that the city’s population has increased, reports the New York Times. Back in the 1950s, the city had nearly 2 million people and was the fourth-biggest in the nation, notes the AP. But it had been on a steady decline since, at least until the latest figures came out.

“This is a great day,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “Many big cities in the country have been losing population year after year,” he added, per the Detroit Free Press. “To have Detroit be growing is a pretty major change.” Duggan and the city have previously challenged the agency’s count, and the Detroit newspaper digs into the particulars. Among other things, the city says the agency has been too focused on demolition and not on subsequent rebuilding. Detroit now ranks as the 26th most populous city in the nation, up from 29th in 2022. (More Detroit stories.)