The Cleveland metropolitan area continues to dwell at the bottom of the population list for the nation's cities. Out of 361 metro areas, Cleveland ranks 359, edging out only Pittsburgh and New Orleans. Demographer Mark Salling of the Northern Ohio Data and Information Service says the reasons can be found in the region's birth and death statistics.
Mark Salling: That reflects our older population and the people who are moving are the ones who are in their child bearing and early job-seeking ages.
But, one area that has shown growth is in the local international immigrant population. And while last year's newcomers are far overshadowed by the overall loss of population, some of the country's fastest growing cities also have healthy immigrant communities. And, lest we forget, it was an increase in immigration that boosted the Northeast Ohio economy a century ago. David C. Barnett, 90.3.