Metro areas that have seen massive losses in both jobs and total population have also experienced double-digit rate increases of people with college degrees.
Realtor.com found the results in a recent Manhattan Institute study called “Brain Gain in America’s Shrinking Cities.” For example, while Detroit has lost 160,000 residents, 167,000 people in the city have gotten college degrees since 2000.
The site surmises that professionals like artists, nonprofit workers, and telecommuters are taking advantage of the affordable housing in Detroit and other shrinking cities like New Orleans, Buffalo, and Cleveland.
Sign-up for Pro Builder Newsletters
Get all of the latest news and updates.