U.S. Census Bureau population estimates once again flip-flopped, with Phoenix taking the fifth spot and Philadelphia moving back to sixth.
However, Phoenix still battles the notion its growth is due to continued annexation of surrounding areas.
Phoenix Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay said the downtown core of the city spurred the growth seen in the Census findings.
"I think that’s still the perception that they have, that we are kind of this sprawling area that’s gonna keep annexing people in and growing in those areas," Mackay said. "What they don’t know is that we’ve got an incredibly strong urban environment in the central city.”
Mackay said job creation and a knowledge-based economy is the key to future growth in a modern tech-driven economy.
