Baltimore City lost 5,000 residents last year, according to the latest estimate of the U.S. Census Bureau.
A report issued Thursday listing the population of the country?s 25 largest cities estimated Baltimore had a population of 631,366 as of July 1, 2006 ? 5,000 fewer than in 2005. The loss, representing less than 1 percent of the city?s population, equals roughly 400 people per month.
Baltimore suffered the third-largest population loss of major U.S cities in 2006. Only Detroit, which lost 1.4 percent of its population, and Boston lost more residents. Since 2000, Baltimore has lost nearly 20,000 residents.
Washington, the 25th-largest city, lost roughly 1,000 residents.
New York remained the country?s most populous city with 8.2 million residents, followed by Chicago and Los Angeles. Phoenix had the largest increase in population of the top 25 cities since 2005, adding 43,000 residents.
However, the suburbs continued to show the largest population gains, with North Las Vegas City, a suburb of Las Vegas, adding 21,000 residents to earn the distinction of the fastest-growing municipality in the country.
Mayor Sheila Dixon questioned the accuracy of the bureau?s estimates.
“We have had to challenge census data in the past, and after reviewing the latest data, we may have to do that again,” she said.
Dixon said she believes more people are moving into the city than leaving.
“I meet new residents to our city every day, and we?re working hard to create a city that attracts individuals and families to enjoy all the positive things Baltimore has to offer,” she said.
The report is an estimate based on the 2000 census, the last time the federal agency conducted a census. The next census will be taken in 2010.
