CITY ON A HILL

After decades of decline, core cities in developing nation urban areas are experiencing a renaissance of development, both commercial and residential. This series provides information on this trend.

Miami Central City Edges
to Peak Population

Data released today by the US Census Bureau indicates that Miami has edged upward in population to 362,470 in 2000, up 1.1 percent from the previous peak of 358,548 in 1990.

Miami is one of only three major central cities in the developed world at its population peak without significant annexation or green field development (the others are San Francisco and Vancouver).

The population density of the 35.6 square mile city is now 10,182. This is more than double the population density of Portland, Oregon, whose so-called "smart growth" policies seek to densify the community. In 1990, less than three square miles of Porland was as dense as the city of Miami.

(27 March 2001)