ALBANY—New population estimates show New York losing ground to the nation in several critical age ranges, according to a Public Policy Institute analysis of new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The data add to the evidence suggesting that New York's long-term economic travails may be impelling an increasing number of New Yorkers to become former New Yorkers, The Institute's analysis shows.
The U.S. Census Bureau recently released population estimates for all states and the nation as of July 2003, as well as population data from April 2000. In that span, the Census Bureau estimates that New York gained 213,294 in overall population. That is a growth rate of just 1.1 percent, which is only the 44th-fastest growth rate in the nation. That growth rate is well behind the national average growth rate of 3.3 percent. Nevada is the fastest-growing state, at 12.2 percent.
New York ranked 46th in growth among young adults and 49th among those aged 15 to 44 - those preparing to enter the workforce and those considered in the prime creative years of their careers. And among children five years old or younger, New York ranked dead last in growth, behind 49 states and the District of Columbia.
"We know that New York's population growth has long trailed the nation's, and studies have shown that population tends to go where the economic climate creates the most opportunity," said Business Council President Daniel B. Walsh. "This latest alarm offers still more evidence that New York must try to stem the tide by making New York more economically attractive."
The Institute, the research affiliate of The Business Council, analyzed the new Census Bureau data to show that:
- Among
the youngest citizens, those 5 years old and younger, New York ranked
dead last, behind 49 states and the District of Columbia, as its estimated
population in this category fell by 24,365. That change, a loss of 2
percent, compares to a national average growth rate of 3.1 percent.
And Texas, in contrast, added children 5 and younger at a rate of 11.2
percent.
- Among
people of working age (16-64), New York's modest growth rate of 2.8
percent ranked only 40th, well behind the national average growth rate
of 4.4 percent.
- New York
also trailed the nation badly in growth among young adults ages 18 to
24. New York ranked sixth in total gains, but its 3.5 percent growth
rate ranked only 46th, well behind the national growth rate of 6.5 percent
for young adults.
- Among
all residents 16 years old and older, New York ranked only 40th in growth.
Its growth rate in this category of 2.5 percent, trailed the national
average of 4.05 percent. Nevada, in contrast, led the nation in growth
among those 16 and older with an increase of 11.7 percent.
- Only among residents 85 years old or older did New York's growth rate come close to the national average. New York's growth rate in this category, 10.2 percent, was just behind the U.S. average of 11.2 percent.