Why New York City keeps getting bigger
An interesting look at the coincidences and non-coincidences that make big cities like New York stay big.
Q: Why is New York City the most populous city in the United States?
A. Because it was America’s most populous city in 1900.
Q. Why was New York City America’s most populous city in 1900?
A. Because it was America’s most populous city in 1800.
History seems to be protecting New York City’s status as the most populous city in the United States. Indeed, Paul Krugman has suggested that accidents of history gave New York City a leg up on others, and that once favored it grew into the metropolis we know today. But New York is not alone. Since 1840, the densest American cities have not only grown substantially, they also represent a larger share of the American population. The same can be said of other world cities, too. They are like snowballs—they’re big and they keep on getting bigger.
(via Square Mile)
