We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

Is the Population of Manhattan Dropping?

Although Manhattan was home to 1.6 million people in 2010, the population of the borough has dropped. In 1910, for example, the population of Manhattan was 2.3 million — 43 percent more than it was in 2010. Changes in zoning and other laws eliminated some of the space that was once used for residences.

More facts about Manhattan:

  • Manhattan actually holds more people during the day than at night. Employees who stream in from the surrounding boroughs for work raise the daytime population of Manhattan to almost 4 million.

  • Manhattan is home to the Fashion Institute of Technology, which offers a Bachelor of Science degree in cosmetics and fragrance marketing. No other educational institution in the world offers a similar degree.

  • During the middle of the 20th century, many people relocated from Manhattan to outlying areas, partially in reaction to rising crime rates. By the beginning of the 21st century, the population of Manhattan began to grow as interest in urban living began to attract more attention.

Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum , Writer
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

Discussion Comments

By anon280786 — On Jul 20, 2012

I wonder if part of the reason for the population drop is that urban dwellers generally have fewer kids. Europe's population is also declining. I think the figure is something like 1.6 kids per women. Maybe Manhattanites have a similar low birth rate.

Malcolm Tatum

Malcolm Tatum

Writer

Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Read more
WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.