By David Collins
August 13, 2021
The following is an excerpt from the WBAL story.
The U.S. Census Bureau has released its 2020 data and it shows an increasingly diverse country.
Officials say the population growth is being driven by people of color, particularly in metro areas. 33.8 million people identified as being of two or more races, up from 9 million in 2010.
The under-18 population is also increasingly diverse.
People who identify as white alone fell by more than 8%.
Overall, the United States grew by 7.4% over the last decade. That’s down from 9.7 in the previous census.
In Maryland, for the first time in over a century, Baltimore City’s population is under 600,000 residents. To turn things around, Mayor Brandon Scott will soon launch the so-called growth plan for 2030. The plan will work to improve the quality of life for residents with hopes to draw in new residents.
“If we are looking at the city as a skyscraper, I would be foolish to come in and put fancy things on top when the basement is leaking with water. We have to build that foundation so that we can be the best city and that’s how we will do it,” Scott said.
Scott’s plan will prioritize four core values aimed at improving the quality of life for city residents. They are building on public safety, transparency and accountability, navigating COVID-19 and cultivating an inclusive, equitable economy.
“Dealing with the issues from the lowest priority to the highest. That’s how you build a better city for everyone,” the mayor said.
Live Baltimore is on board. It wants to build on the city’s residential real estate market. Reportedly up 31% when sales in the region are seeing a 21% increase. Live Baltimore released a study earlier this year predicting thousands of new households over the next several years.
“Through the targeted development of new and renovated housing, Baltimore City has the potential to add between 5,300 and 7,100 new households each year over the next five years,” said Annie Milli, executive director of Live Baltimore.
“This has got to be something that is sustained. It’s not a one or two year project, it’s got to be a multiple year effort,” said Don Fry, President and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee.
Fry is calling on the city’s business community to get involved. He said everyone could do a better job in promoting the city.
“We have great affordability. We have diversity, we have strong neighborhoods, we have cultural and historical attractions, we have an incredible health care system as well as great universities,” Fry said.
Source: WBAL-TV 11
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