America’s 19 Fastest Shrinking Big Cities

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

19. Cumberland, MD-WV
> 2016-2021 pop. growth: -5.0% (-4,955)
> 2021 population: 94,586 — #364 highest out of 381
> 2016 population: 99,541 — #354 highest out of 381
> 2016-2021 employment growth: -1.6% — #100 largest decrease out of 150
> Dec 2021 unemployment rate: 5.0% — #298 lowest out of 381
> Dec 2016 unemployment rate: 5.9% — #316 lowest out of 381

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

18. Fairbanks, AK
> 2016-2021 pop. growth: -5.0% (-5,012)
> 2021 population: 95,593 — #363 highest out of 381
> 2016 population: 100,605 — #351 highest out of 381
> 2016-2021 employment growth: -2.2% — #86 largest decrease out of 150
> Dec 2021 unemployment rate: 4.7% — #275 lowest out of 381
> Dec 2016 unemployment rate: 6.0% — #322 lowest out of 381

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

17. St. Joseph, MO-KS
> 2016-2021 pop. growth: -5.7% (-7,254)
> 2021 population: 120,274 — #326 highest out of 381
> 2016 population: 127,528 — #306 highest out of 381
> 2016-2021 employment growth: -3.7% — #55 largest decrease out of 150
> Dec 2021 unemployment rate: 2.7% — #65 lowest out of 381
> Dec 2016 unemployment rate: 3.9% — #84 lowest out of 381

Source: Jimkolmus / Wikimedia Commons

16. Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH
> 2016-2021 pop. growth: -5.8% (-7,063)
> 2021 population: 113,798 — #336 highest out of 381
> 2016 population: 120,861 — #321 highest out of 381
> 2016-2021 employment growth: +0.1% — #230 largest increase out of 231
> Dec 2021 unemployment rate: 5.3% — #313 lowest out of 381
> Dec 2016 unemployment rate: 7.2% — #369 lowest out of 381

Source: By Warren LeMay from Cullowhee, NC, United States - Elm Street, Southside, Greensboro, NC, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83519672

15. Goldsboro, NC
> 2016-2021 pop. growth: -5.9% (-7,315)
> 2021 population: 116,835 — #331 highest out of 381
> 2016 population: 124,150 — #313 highest out of 381
> 2016-2021 employment growth: -2.4% — #79 largest decrease out of 150
> Dec 2021 unemployment rate: 4.0% — #210 lowest out of 381
> Dec 2016 unemployment rate: 5.7% — #300 lowest out of 381