UNH Today

Chicago Population Falls

Chicago lost an estimated 7,000-plus residents from 2017 to 2018, according to recent U.S. Census data. Carsey School of Public Policy demographer Ken Johnson offers perspective on population declines in inner-ring suburbs and how it's not just an issue specific to Chicago.

Diminishing Rural Populations

Carsey School of Public Policy demographer Ken Johnson recently joined Daniel Lichter of Cornell University and John Cromartie of the U.S.ĚýDepartment of AgricultureĚýin presenting findings on the population decrease in rural U.S. areas compared with the rise in metropolitan populations. The paper, which was presented to the Rural Sociological Society, examines the transformation of rural areas to urbanized regions as populations densify and U.S. classifications of "rural" change.

Repopulating Rural Counties

A recent study from the Carsey School of Public Policy found that rural U.S. areas - or around about 80 percent of the country's agricultural towns - are suffering from rapid depopulation. “It’s not uncommon in rural high schools for half the graduating class to leave the area within a few years after graduation,” said report co-author andĚýCarsey School demographer Ken Johnson.

Record Low U.S. Birth Rate

A new report from the CDC estimates thatĚý3.788 million U.S. births occurred in 2018, markingĚýthe fourth year in a row in which the number of births has dropped nationally. Carsey School of Public Policy demographer Kenneth Johnson was quoted in this article from WMUR News 9.