We're No. 3 - again

We interrupt this broadcast of another Byron Brown campaign commercial proclaiming Buffalo's revival for this Census update.

Buffalo has lost a larger share of its population this decade than all but two cities in the nation, if you factor out New Orleans. Ya know, Katrina and all that, and the Big Easy is gaining population again.

Buffalo has lost 7.4 percent of its population, trailing only Flint (down 9.6%) and Cleveland (9.2%)

Let's see, we're the third-poorest city our size in the nation and we're also No. 3 when it comes to population loss among all cities of 100,000 or more.

We're down about 22,000 residents since the start of the decade, with more than 4,000 voting with their feet since Brown took office. Here are the details.

In fairness to the mayor, the bleeding has slowed somewhat since he took office in 2006, although it's hardly reason to proclaim victory as he has been doing on the campaign trail.

Buffalo now ranks as the nation's 69th largest city, with a population of 270,919.

By comparison, our 7.4 percent drop this decade compares with increases of 4.4 percent in New York City and 2.9 percent in Yonkers, and decreases of 0.8 percent in Albany, 5.7 percent in Syracuse and 5.9 percent in Rochester.

Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Binghamton account for four of 11 cities experiencing the biggest losses as a percentage of their population in the nation.

Meanwhile, back in Albany, the food fight in the Senate continues. Fiddle on, boys - there's less and less left to burn.

To put it in further perspective, Buffalo has lost population this decade at more than twice the rate of Detroit.

Detroit!

OMG!

This calls for a topical song.

Hey, I've got one.

Something having to do with a city replaced by parking spaces.

Hit it, Chrissie.

Comments

[john]

I'll be next. Originally I was only going to leave this "totally hopeless city" and move to the suburbs, but now I'm not only leaving this "totally hopeless city", but I'm leaving this equally "totally hopeless state"!!!!! I will be gone before fall. Good riddance Buffalo and New York!!!!!

[Buffalo Libertarian]

"Well, isn't that special." - The Church Lady -

[yankeefaninmd]

the last line to Springsteen's "Thunder Road" sums up Buffalo. Pulled out in '83 and never thought of heading back

[Al]

"In fairness to the mayor..."
???
He is part of the political machines and will never do anything to stop the downward flow.
The marketing departments of firms depending on local growth need to plan on smaller margins, smaller volume, higher social costs.
In fact, many businesses will be going out of business. It was very predictable. But, denial is not just the name of a river in Egypt.

[Farnham]

Well, well, well, isn't that special that all these tales of woe come out during an election year? Where was the Buffalo Snooze and this "Outrages" dude the past three years or even the past three mayors? So, who's Mickey paying off now? It's easy to see that we have more development actually being performed the past three years than ever before. And don't give me that bullcrap that the plans were already there. Yeah, they were, but no one ever put anything in motion before, they were just plans and nothing else. Try again Mickey and crew, try again.

[frquarter]

I have said it over and over again.....Buffalo isnt a major city anymore,,,every year population drops....every election all politicians make promises of growth ...YEA RIGHT...western ny is shot period....period...yes stachowski thompson schoeder ratz quinn hoyt peoples etc ..politicins.....same ole story,,,,and as usual taxpayers vote same people in office,,,,,WELL GOOD FOR YOU...you think its bad now ....wait until next year,,,NYC DEMOCRATS... and bossman sheldon silver will raise taxes again....still waiting for a new pwace bridge autos on main street and cant wait to see this NEW WATERFRONT....LMAO...

[my2cents]

Mayor Brown is just playing the same game they all play.

I believe he does have desire to stop the bleeding.

The voters helped create this mess - the patronage for votes - creating jobs for useless party people -

There is no way to create enough tax funded jobs to support a city - but that is what most Party People seem to believe.

Look at all the double dipping - two and three position holding - elected and appointed ones.

Vote for change !

[beastfan]

at least we have architecture

[jts]

my2cents has it right.

But what are the solutions?

I think you start by merging the City and Lackawanna and then all the first ring suburbs including Amherst.

What do you guys think?

[Goldengirl]

JTS......I think I'll be joining John and getting out of NY. Moved out of Buffalo to a first ring suburb to safer neighborhood; but the government in NY is helping to drive us out of this state. Can't afford to retire here.

[BobbyCat]

To borrow a phrase from Ralph Nader, local elections are often between tweedle-dumb and tweedle-dee. These hapless candidates go through the motions, manage to learn the job after a few years and manage to keep the roads plowed and the garbage removed, but they make no inroads on persistant problems. There is no innovation. Why not?

It has become critical to find more qualified candidates but the party chairmen can't see to get it done?

Why not?

Is it because the best talent has left town, a brain drain? Maybe.

Is it because a top notch executive can make much more in the private sector. That too.

Is it because the top talent says "Who needs that aggravation"? I'll bet.

Is it because the party chairmen don't speak the same lingo of top notch execs?
Are they out of their element?
Have they reached the Peter Principal plateau?

I suspect that the entire executive committees, of both parties, are old school pols and don't understand that the ship is sinking. Maybe they will pull the pin and escape to Florida and simply don't care.

Both party chairmen own the public an explanation. What do they intend to do to salvage this area? How low can we free-fall?

Did I read that correctly? More people leaving than Detroit? Eeeeeeeeee!

Of course, the party big whigs will ignore all such pleas as long as they are not feeling the heat. Plan One is always to stonewall.

Maybe the NEWS and the local TV newsies can join forces and sponser a summit meeting on our future. It's an idea.

Another idea: Don't forget to invite the Chamber of Commerce...or whatever it's called.

[O.B. Serious]

In all seriousness, Buffalo's population drop is very very very little to do with who's mayor. Does anybody seriously think if Tony Masiello had stayed in for another term or if Kevin Helfer had won last time, that Buffalo's population now would be any higher than it is?

And as beastfan points out, we still have our architecture.

And four seasons - can't forget about those.

[Neil]

May be The Buffalo News could sponsor/host a confab of community stakeholders to be broadcast publicly on WNED and simulcast on NPR. Invite the likes of the County Exec., Mayor, Carl Paladino, Kevin Gaughan, Satish, Lynn Marinelli, Andrew Rudnick, Brian Higgins, Chris Lee, News editors/columnists, anyone else who could lead a horse to water and have them sit and argue, talk, discuss ways to improve the economic health of our area? Have an impartial moderator, a prominent lawyer, judge or someone from academia - direct the discussion and pose the appropriate questions, cutoff long winded answers and so on. It wouldn't hurt to have someone from outside, a successful metropolitan area, or a think-tank type to provide their views as well? I'd watch. We need effective leadership!

[BobbyCat]

That sounds like a good lineup Neil but I think you should include the party chairmen. They annoint, we confirm.

[Neil]

Indeed Bobby, indeed!