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Bostonist doesn't pretend to be a statistician, but we're a little perplexed by the worry being aired over new Census Bureau figures that show the Commonwealth has lost population for two years running. It's not that our feelings aren't hurt - they are, because we definitely love Massachusetts and want people to love it too - it's just that we're not sure what the big deal is.
The Globe points out that Massachusetts has lost two congressional seats in the last 50 years and stands to lose more, which could, in theory, mean the loss of federal spending as our state clout decreases in Washington. But isn't only fair that we get less funding if we have fewer people? (And really, the states with the most clout relative to their populations are the ones with the lowest populations, since they still get two Senators.)
Bostonist also doesn't understand the crowing in the Globe article about the economic impacts. Sure, if there are fewer workers, there will be fewer companies here, but again, why is that problematic? Don't we pretty much want to have only as many jobs as there are people? And if, as the article asserts, high housing costs are the problem, isn't a reduction in population (and a corresponding reduction in demand) a good thing? Seriously, Bostonist can't work up any concern about this, and we would appreciate it if our dear readers, especially those with a deep understanding of economics and demographics, would tell us why we should care about anything other than the fact that we didn't lose as many people as New York.
Photo: When Bostonist took this picture of a boat headed out to sea from Provincetown over the summer, we didn't realize we were witnessing a major demographic trend.
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" a boat headed out to see"
"Intentional pun or merely clumsy typo?
the state is losing two more residents in january. The Hubs and i are OUTTA HERE.
I don't understand what the big deal is either. Like you said, less people = cheaper housing, right? Potentially it means a bit less traffic as well. I'm convinced that the newspapers are incapable of reporting anything without putting an alarmist spin on it instead of actually analyzing the facts and being realistic about it.
I personally think its a big deal. People moving out means that they are probably getting work else where which means the economy is worse here which means less money and fewer jobs. People leaving really isn't a good thing, but lets pay attention to another fact. ALOT of people are leaving for New Hampshire, but still working in Boston.
maybe it is the fear of being unimportant. But also, if the numbers went deeper, you could argue that losing college graduates could hurt because innovation and future job creation would suffer. Additionally, new companies would be hesitant to open up shop here becuase of a lack of a workforce. Just ideas.
Agreed on the media alarmist point.
I've TRIED to move out of Boston, because of the high cost of living, to no avail. With all my contacts here, this is where I've gained decent employment. Down the road, though, I'm leaving. There are less costly cities where I could actually buy some property and still enjoy urban life. Having not grown up here, it's tough rationalizing a real reason to stay when all my money gets thrown away on living costs, heating, rent, etc. My point is that... well don't know that I have a point, but if people are leaving, it's not necessarily because they don't like it here. And I do agree that perhaps housing rates will decrease a bit with a small decrease in population (though 8,000 people isn't that much). The commonwealth is in pretty good financial shape compared to so many states in the US. Let's keep our eye on the ball.