America’s 19 Fastest Shrinking Big Cities

Source: hkim39 / iStock via Getty Images

14. Beckley, WV
> 2016-2021 pop. growth: -6.0% (-7,226)
> 2021 population: 113,698 — #337 highest out of 381
> 2016 population: 120,924 — #320 highest out of 381
> 2016-2021 employment growth: +6.5% — #84 largest increase out of 231
> Dec 2021 unemployment rate: 3.9% — #197 lowest out of 381
> Dec 2016 unemployment rate: 6.3% — #339 lowest out of 381

Source: davidwilson1949 / Flickr

13. Danville, IL
> 2016-2021 pop. growth: -6.4% (-5,016)
> 2021 population: 73,095 — #377 highest out of 381
> 2016 population: 78,111 — #377 highest out of 381
> 2016-2021 employment growth: -5.0% — #37 largest decrease out of 150
> Dec 2021 unemployment rate: 5.1% — #305 lowest out of 381
> Dec 2016 unemployment rate: 7.0% — #367 lowest out of 381

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

12. Corpus Christi, TX
> 2016-2021 pop. growth: -6.6% (-30,012)
> 2021 population: 422,778 — #130 highest out of 381
> 2016 population: 452,790 — #114 highest out of 381
> 2016-2021 employment growth: -2.4% — #77 largest decrease out of 150
> Dec 2021 unemployment rate: 6.3% — #354 lowest out of 381
> Dec 2016 unemployment rate: 6.3% — #339 lowest out of 381

Source: eyfoto / iStock via Getty Images

11. Champaign-Urbana, IL
> 2016-2021 pop. growth: -7.2% (-17,176)
> 2021 population: 222,696 — #204 highest out of 381
> 2016 population: 239,872 — #189 highest out of 381
> 2016-2021 employment growth: +2.1% — #173 largest increase out of 231
> Dec 2021 unemployment rate: 3.7% — #162 lowest out of 381
> Dec 2016 unemployment rate: 4.9% — #210 lowest out of 381

Source: pasa / Flickr

10. Pine Bluff, AR
> 2016-2021 pop. growth: -7.8% (-7,324)
> 2021 population: 86,747 — #367 highest out of 381
> 2016 population: 94,071 — #363 highest out of 381
> 2016-2021 employment growth: -2.0% — #87 largest decrease out of 150
> Dec 2021 unemployment rate: 4.8% — #282 lowest out of 381
> Dec 2016 unemployment rate: 5.1% — #233 lowest out of 381