Philadelphia Research and Policy Initiative

In the next few years, Pennsylvania—and Philadelphia—must determine whether a state agency should continue to oversee the city government’s finances, as it has for nearly three decades.

Who’s Leaving Philadelphia—and Why

Philadelphia’s population has been growing for more than a decade, fueled by immigrants and by births outnumbering deaths. Yet each year, roughly 60,000 residents leave the city—at least 10,000 more than those who move in from other parts of the region or the country, according to data.

Like many cities, Philadelphia has some neighborhoods that are thriving and others that are faltering. But it has more of the former than it did a decade ago. Even so, the numbers at the heart of this year’s “State of the City” report show the contrasts between the city’s neighborhoods to be as dramatic as ever.

In this report, The Pew Charitable Trusts examines the attitudes and personal experiences of poor Philadelphians, exploring several key aspects of life that are affected by, and potentially helping to perpetuate, poverty— including health outcomes, employment prospects, exposure to crime, and access to quality schools.