PITTSBURGH -- People have been talking about Pittsburgh's population for years, but it isn't getting any younger.

The latest figures from the U.S. Census seem to support that, too.

So, what do local leaders make of the fact, and is there anything they can do to attract more young people?

Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said a younger population goes where the jobs are.

He said that's why local leaders' focus is on building an economic climate to provide the jobs that will attract and keep younger residents.

The Census' findings about the graying of the Pittsburgh area come as the city and county are spotlighting efforts to develop more affordable housing in Downtown Pittsburgh.

The Century Building at Seventh and Penn avenues in the Cultural District will benefit from federal and state tax credits to convert it into an attractive place to live for young professionals, among others.

The Census Bureau's 2006 community survey shows metropolitan Pittsburgh has a larger proportion of residents over 45, 65 and 85 than the rest of the country.

Our region also shows a lower proportion of people 25 to 34, 18 to 24 and children under five.

"It is what it is," said Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. "We certainly have a very old population, but if you look to my left and to your right, I think that shows what this project here is all about. An opportunity for young people to have an affordable place to live in an urban area in which they want to live."

Ravenstahl and Onorato said those figures are a symptom of population losses dating back to the 1980s.

"I think we're in a great position right now to start building on the younger generation, and we all know what that's about. It's about jobs," said Onorato. "And the mayor and I are working around the clock to create an environment for the private sector to thrive, so that those jobs come here."

And while Ravenstahl and Onorato work to attract and keep younger residents, they said they don't think having an older population hurts Pittsburgh.

"But I don't see it as a negative," Onorato said. "We have a lot of elderly individuals, because people like to stay in this region. That's what made our neighborhoods strong. It continues to make our municipalities and areas around the county strong."

---

Related Links:
More County News

Get RSS | E-Mail Alerts

---