City Cast Pittsburgh logo
March 24, 2025

Pittsburgh’s Barely Growing. Could That Be a Good Thing?

City Cast Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s Barely Growing. Could That Be a Good Thing?

00:00:00
View all City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

New census data just dropped and the Pittsburgh region actually grew this year…by 0.001%. But does it really matter whether or not our city and metro area grow? And could there even be benefits to staying the same size? We’re revisiting a conversation with Chris Briem, a regional economist at the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Social and Urban Research, to find out.

**This episode originally published October 16, 2023.

If you enjoyed today's interview with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Director of Audience Experience, Erin Lynn, learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 24th episode:

Pittsburgh Opera

History UnErased

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Pittsburgh

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
July 10

Meatball Mergers, PennDOT Hellscapes & Emmy Noms for ‘The Pitt’

Part of the Parkway East is closing tonight so PennDot can explode the old Commercial Street Bridge and slide a new one in its place. Tra...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
July 9

Mechanical Pickles, Giant Eagle's New Owner & Free Outdoor Adventures

Kroger may have just bought Giant Eagle, but this isn't the first time these two brands have been intertwined. Host Megan Harris and prod...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
July 8

Where To Get a Spa Treatment in Pittsburgh

There's never a bad time for a spa day, and if you're in need of a pick-me-up, we want you to treat yourself! The City Cast Pittsburgh te...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
July 7

The Best Bagels in Pittsburgh

Can you actually get a good bagel in Pittsburgh? The City Cast Pittsburgh team is on the case. We taste tested offerings from some of the...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
July 6

Why Pittsburgh Has 20K Vacant Homes AND a Housing Shortage

Pittsburgh lost more than half its population since peaking in the 1950s, and our city has more than 20,000 vacant homes. How do we also...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
July 3

'Your City Could Be Better': The Ultimate USA Trivia Battle. How Much Do You Know? — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

See if your Pittsburgh knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz g...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
July 2

Can You Swim in Pittsburgh's Rivers? Plus, Teens in Public & Train Tours

If the hot weather has you considering a dip in the Allegheny, Mon, or Ohio, take heed! City Cast contributor Meg St-Esprit joins host Me...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
July 1

Your Guide to July 2026 in Pittsburgh

There's a heatwave, but there's also no shortage of things to do in Pittsburgh! City Cast's Megan Harris, Sophia Lo, and Francesca Dabecc...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 30

Is AI Pittsburgh's Next Labor Fight?

Ever wonder how exactly our city employees are using AI…and whether there are safeguards in place to make sure these tools are being used...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 29

Can Pittsburgh Hold Onto Tech Startups? Plus, Household Robots and Data Centers

Pittsburgh is getting ready to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, and we’re partnering with Public Source and Technical.ly to explore...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art