According to the just released 2015 population estimates, Philadelphia is still growing in population. Growing slowly, as it has been, but actually growing. It's a small thing, but for years the powers that be seemed to have a "will the last one to leave the city please turn out the lights" attitude, a belief that the post-war declines would inevitably continue. It isn't growing much, but it hasn't been shrinking for awhile. Going to take a few more years before the powers will believe it might continue. Many of them think it's just "millenial hipsters who will move away as soon as they have kids." Well, sure, some will move away. And maybe more will move in? Also, too, growing immigrant population.