Erie by the Numbers

The city of Erie's population remains on the decline, a trend since 1970 in each U.S. Census Bureau count, according to data released Wednesday. Erie's 2010 census population was 101,786, a decrease of nearly 2 percent since the 2000 census.

Erie is the fourth largest city in Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia: 1,526,006. (Population increase of 0.6%)
Pittsburgh: 305,704. (Population decrease of 8.6%),
Allentown: 118,032. (Population increase of 10.7%)
Erie: 101,786. (Population decrease of 1.9%)
Reading: 88,032. (Population increase of 8.5%).

Prior to the 2000 U.S. census, Erie was considered the third largest city. The city of Erie reached its peak census population in 1960, 138,440, and has declined in population every count since.

The drop in population wasn’t limited to Erie. Across northwestern Pennsylvania, a loss in population was reported in all five counties: Erie, Crawford, Warren, Mercer and Venango.

However, Erie County’s population remained mostly steady. The county’s total count only dropped by 277 people (a decrease of less than one-tenth of a percent).

Harborcreek Township had the largest population gain in the entire region. The township added 2,056 people — an increase of 13.5 percent. (Blogger's Note: Woop Woop! Go HC!) Check out Erie Times-News map of the regional changes.

As expected, the Hispanic population for the region did grow. The increase, though, wasn’t as significant as other areas throughout Pennsylvania. Statewide, the Hispanic population jumped by nearly 83 percent. For Erie County, the Hispanic population grew by 3,392 — a 55 percent increase. Crawford County’s Hispanic population rose by 286, or 53 percent.

The number of Pennsylvania residents increased 3.4 percent, to just over 12.7 million. Still, the state will lose one of its 19 congressional seats because of demographic changes.