New York City is witnessing a population boom. According to the Vintage 2024 Population Estimates, New York City's population saw an upward swing of 87,000 people between July 2023 and July 2024, hitting a head count of 8,478,000. As reported by the Office of the Mayor, this marks two consecutive years of demographic upturn for the Big Apple, placing all five boroughs in the green with Manhattan taking the lead, registering 1.7 percent growth.
Mayor Eric Adams didn't mince words on the matter, declaring, "The numbers do not lie. Our city's best days still lie ahead of us." He attributes the spike to a hybrid of economic vitality, declining crime rates, and the city's overall appeal, as summarized in an announcement made yesterday. New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Andrew Kimball echoed Adam's enthusiasm, pointing to the high number of jobs, the draw of young talent, and a sustained decrease in storefront vacancies, which have dipped for five consecutive quarters.
Further analysis by the Department of City Planning punctuates the positive sentiments. DCP Director Dan Garodnick observed that not only are the population metrics heartening, but they emphasize New York City's allure to a global audience. The snapshot of growth also reflects a reversal from a brief pandemic-induced decline, showcasing strong international migration numbers and domestic figures reminiscent of pre-2020 movement trends.
Last December, Mayor Adams proclaimed a tourist forecast that underlined the economic vitality of the city with nearly 65 million visitors gracing New York in 2024, a 3.5 percent jump from the previous year. And the jobs sector is no slouch either, with a reported all-time high of 4,770,981 total jobs, thanks to new data from the state Department of Labor. Private-sector employment also hit a historic peak, tallying 4,197,501 jobs, according to a statement obtained by the Office of the Mayor.
On the safety front, NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch pointed out that the city is on track with a downward trend in major crimes and boasted a 30-year low in shooting incidents for the first two months of the year. All signs point to Mayor Adams' administration paving the way for a revitalized, safer New York positioned for sustained recovery and growth post-pandemic.
