It is unfortunate and irresponsible for Newsweek magazine to label communities Dying
Cities based on two specious statistics – projections of populations and the percentage of
that population which is under eighteen years of age. No rationale is provided explaining
why these two factors alone, out of hundreds which could be chosen, are significant in
predicting the future of any community. Furthermore, the underlying numbers will turn
out to be inaccurate in many cases. We don’t know where Newsweek got its “facts” but
presume they are from Census Bureau projections. Ten years ago the Census Bureau had
predicted that South Bend’s population would drop from the 1990 census of 105,511 to
below 100,000 (a 5.2% decline). Instead, when 2000 census data were announced, South
Bend’s population had grown to 107,789 (a 2.2% growth). How does one explain that
7.4% turnaround? Either we were very good at persuading people to have babies and
move into the city in 1999, or the Census Bureau’s algorithms for population prediction
were wrong for our community. I believe that the Census Bureau’s formulas are skewed
toward suburban growth. They were wrong in 1999 and I believe they are wrong again
today. Furthermore, these two simple numbers do not take into account other important
factors which indicate a city’s vitality and viability. In 2009, South Bend was named an
All-America City finalist. In 2010 the Today Show listed South Bend as the best place in
the country to buy a home and we received the National League of Cities Gold Award for
development. These are not the marks of a dying city.
Recently Newsweek did a series of articles on Detroit, exploring many issues that face
urban centers around the country. Despite significant challenges, there was also hope and
opportunity. That was good journalism and makes it all the more disappointing that they
would now stoop to sensational lists and paint cities with such a damning title based on
superficial statistics. I recognize that one cannot expect in-depth reporting on every city,
but one should expect more than this. So, I invite Newsweek to send a reporter to South
Bend to learn about MetroNet and the research parks which are transforming our regional
economy. To see Eddy Street Commons and Blackthorn and south side retail. To marvel
at the value of new and historic housing in South Bend neighborhoods. To experience the
quality of life from our river and river walks to our parks and theaters. To understand the
value of the University of Notre Dame to the region and the partnerships we have built to
be innovative and efficient. Then Newsweek can go beyond the numbers and tell a fuller
story of a city that is alive and well and building for the future.