Fewer people living in rural areas as PA's population declines
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — In Pennsylvania there's fewer people living in rural areas and that's going to have an impact on those who remain on everything from political representation to vital services provided.
In Centre County, unlike many neighboring counties, the population has been increasing, but during a hearing in Harrisburg Wednesday, experts confirm the state's population, especially in rural counties is on the decline.
The population information was part of a state Senate hearing on political redistricting.
“Pennsylvania has a long history of congressional map making which has included the loss of many congressional seats due to slow population growth here for decades,” says Sen. David Argall.
For rural areas, Pennsylvania, what’s happening is more young people moving away while seniors remain.
“This has implications for economic development, healthy thriving communities, access to local services,” explains Dr. Kyle Kopko. “It’s a long-term problem and there's no single solution to it”
The impact of one pandemic related aspect is still undetermined. In some rural areas, there's new residents, or people who fled more populated regions, who think they'd have less chance of being exposed to COVID.
“It’s actually something were hoping to address in the next few months. We should have tax data in June on housing sales in the past year.”
Pennsylvania’s rural population trend is not unique to the state.
In fact, nationwide, two out of every three rural counties have either seen a decrease in the number of residents, or the population has remained virtually the same.
We should have more facts on Pennsylvania’s population in a few months, at the end of summer when the federal Census Bureau releases more information.
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