Growth of World Cities (1940-2010)

Yuri · #1 Posted **Aug 16, 2015, 9:08 PM**

I'll start with the main metro areas in Americas, and I'll add others later, updating this post. Fix-borders for all the period:

Code:


2010

SÃO PAULO ---------- 19,683,975 --- (+10.1%)
NEW YORK ----------- 18,802,678 ---- (+2.8%)
LOS ANGELES -------- 17,053,688 ---- (+9.2%)
BUENOS AIRES ------- 12,806,866 --- (+11.7%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ----- 11,601,307 ---- (+8.6%)
MOSCOW ------------- 11,503,501 --- (+15.8%)
CHICAGO ------------- 8,812,655 ---- (+3.8%)
HONG KONG ----------- 7,071,576 ---- (+5.4%)
HOUSTON ------------- 5,738,055 --- (+26.4%)
TORONTO ------------- 5,583,064 --- (+19.2%)
MIAMI --------------- 5,564,635 --- (+11.1%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 5,259,673 ---- (+4.4%)
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 4,879,566 ---- (+2.9%)
BELO HORIZONTE ------ 4,772,562 --- (+12.1%)
BOSTON -------------- 4,134,036 ---- (+3.3%)
DETROIT ------------- 3,863,924 ---- (-4.4%)
MONTREAL ------------ 3,824,221 --- (+11.1%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,723,416 ---- (+3.5%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 3,628,029 ---- (+5.9%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,603,766 ---- (+3.8%)
CLEVELAND ----------- 1,904,908 ---- (-4.6%)
NEW ORLEANS ----------- 888,100 --- (-17.9%)



2000

NEW YORK ----------- 18,286,461 ---- (+8.3%)
SÃO PAULO ---------- 17,878,703 --- (+15.3%)
LOS ANGELES -------- 15,620,448 --- (+12.7%)
BUENOS AIRES ------- 11,460,575 ---- (+4.8%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ----- 10,681,517 --- (+10.7%)
MOSCOW -------------- 9,932,932 --- (+11.9%)
CHICAGO ------------- 8,576,284 --- (+10.9%)
HONG KONG ----------- 6,708,389 --- (+18.2%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 5,036,646 ---- (+3.7%)
MIAMI --------------- 5,007,564 --- (+23.5%)
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 4,741,923 ---- (-5.2%)
TORONTO ------------- 4,682,897 --- (+20.3%)
HOUSTON ------------- 4,540,723 --- (+24.9%)
BELO HORIZONTE ------ 4,259,163 --- (+24.0%)
DETROIT ------------- 4,043,467 ---- (+3.3%)
BOSTON -------------- 4,001,752 ---- (+5.8%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,596,968 ---- (-1.0%)
MONTREAL ------------ 3,426,350 ---- (+9.6%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 3,425,044 --- (+15.9%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,507,460 ---- (+4.1%)
CLEVELAND ----------- 1,997,048 ---- (+0.9%)
NEW ORLEANS --------- 1,082,198 ---- (+0.2%)



1990

NEW YORK ----------- 16,889,862 ---- (+2.2%)
SÃO PAULO ---------- 15,444,941 --- (+22.7%)
LOS ANGELES -------- 13,862,513 --- (+26.4%)
BUENOS AIRES ------- 10,934,727 --- (+12.0%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 9,647,165 --- (+11.7%)
MOSCOW -------------- 8,880,124 --- (+13.4%)
CHICAGO ------------- 7,736,770 ---- (+1.4%)
HONG KONG ----------- 5,674,114 --- (+11.0%)
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 5,002,444 ---- (+7.9%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 4,856,881 ---- (+3.0%)
MIAMI --------------- 4,056,100 --- (+25.9%)
DETROIT ------------- 3,912,679 ---- (-3.3%)
TORONTO ------------- 3,893,933 --- (+29.8%)
BOSTON -------------- 3,783,817 ---- (+3.3%)
HOUSTON ------------- 3,634,927 --- (+19.8%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,634,257 --- (+12.0%)
BELO HORIZONTE ------ 3,436,060 --- (+31.3%)
MONTREAL ------------ 3,127,242 ---- (+9.3%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 2,954,130 --- (+32.4%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,409,150 ---- (+3.0%)
CLEVELAND ----------- 1,979,894 ---- (-3.9%)
NEW ORLEANS --------- 1,079,887 ---- (-5.2%)



1980

NEW YORK ----------- 16,525,889 ---- (-5.2%)
SÃO PAULO ---------- 12,588,745 --- (+54.7%)
LOS ANGELES -------- 10,968,312 --- (+14.3%)
BUENOS AIRES -------- 9,766,030 --- (+16.9%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 8,637,995 --- (+27.1%)
MOSCOW -------------- 7,830,509 --- (+12.8%)
CHICAGO ------------- 7,626,589 ---- (+1.3%)
HONG KONG ----------- 5,109,812 --- (+27.9%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 4,717,217 ---- (-2.1%)
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 4,635,200 --- (+17.4%)
DETROIT ------------- 4,044,284 ---- (-3.7%)
BOSTON -------------- 3,662,832 ---- (-1.2%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,244,823 ---- (-4.3%)
MIAMI --------------- 3,220,844 --- (+44.0%)
HOUSTON ------------- 3,034,407 --- (+43.0%)
TORONTO ------------- 2,998,947 --- (+14.1%)
MONTREAL ------------ 2,862,286 ---- (+4.3%)
BELO HORIZONTE ------ 2,609,547 --- (+57.3%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,338,459 ---- (-2.2%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 2,231,360 --- (+45.7%)
CLEVELAND ----------- 2,060,584 ---- (-7.9%)
NEW ORLEANS --------- 1,139,512 ---- (+9.9%)



1970

NEW YORK ----------- 17,433,912 --- (+10.7%)
LOS ANGELES --------- 9,595,607 --- (+27.1%)
BUENOS AIRES -------- 8,352,611 --- (+23.9%)
SÃO PAULO ----------- 8,139,705 --- (+69.9%)
CHICAGO ------------- 7,525,200 --- (+11.7%)
MOSCOW -------------- 6,941,961 --- (+37.6%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 6,797,976 --- (+41.3%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 4,817,914 --- (+10.9%)
DETROIT ------------- 4,199,931 --- (+11.6%)
HONG KONG ----------- 3,995,400 --- (+29.9%)
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 3,949,501 --- (+15.1%)
BOSTON -------------- 3,708,710 --- (+10.5%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,389,655 ---- (-1.9%)
MONTREAL ------------ 2,743,208 --- (+30.0%)
TORONTO ------------- 2,628,045 --- (+36.9%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,391,547 --- (+12.3%)
CLEVELAND ----------- 2,238,320 ---- (+8.6%)
MIAMI --------------- 2,236,645 --- (+49.4%)
HOUSTON ------------- 2,121,829 --- (+38.9%)
BELO HORIZONTE ------ 1,658,482 --- (+78.7%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 1,531,255 --- (+49.0%)
NEW ORLEANS --------- 1,036,999 --- (+13.7%)



1960

NEW YORK ----------- 15,747,419 --- (+15.4%)
LOS ANGELES --------- 7,552,478 --- (+56.7%)
BUENOS AIRES -------- 6,739,045
CHICAGO ------------- 6,734,182 --- (+21.4%)
MOSCOW -------------- 5,045,905
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 4,811,937 --- (+53.3%)
SÃO PAULO ----------- 4,791,245 --- (+79.9%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 4,342,897 --- (+18.3%)
DETROIT ------------- 3,762,360 --- (+24.7%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,455,612 ---- (-1.9%)
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 3,432,000 --- (+52.0%)
BOSTON -------------- 3,357,607 ---- (+9.5%)
HONG KONG ----------- 3,075,000 --- (+55.8%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,128,926 --- (+19.9%)
MONTREAL ------------ 2,110,679 --- (+37.1%)
CLEVELAND ----------- 2,061,668 --- (+25.7%)
TORONTO ------------- 1,919,000 --- (+52.1%)
HOUSTON ------------- 1,527,092 --- (+49.4%)
MIAMI --------------- 1,497,099 -- (+115.8%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 1,027,507 --- (+68.3%)
BELO HORIZONTE -------- 927,880 --- (+77.4%)
NEW ORLEANS ----------- 912,244 --- (+27.9%)



1950

NEW YORK ----------- 13,641,663 --- (+11.4%)
CHICAGO ------------- 5,546,020 --- (+14.0%)
LOS ANGELES --------- 4,819,599 --- (+51.4%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 3,671,048 --- (+14.7%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,523,792 --- (-22.4%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 3,137,977 --- (+42.4%)
BOSTON -------------- 3,065,344 ---- (+8.5%)
DETROIT ------------- 3,016,197 --- (+26.9%)
SÃO PAULO ----------- 2,662,776 --- (+69.8%)
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 2,258,000 --- (-29.2%)
HONG KONG ----------- 1,974,000
ST. LOUIS ----------- 1,776,282 --- (+17.0%)
CLEVELAND ----------- 1,640,319 --- (+17.2%)
MONTREAL ------------ 1,539,308 --- (+29.1%)
TORONTO ------------- 1,262,000 --- (+40.2%)
HOUSTON ------------- 1,021,876 --- (+47.4%)
NEW ORLEANS ----------- 713,007 --- (+23.6%)
MIAMI ----------------- 693,705 --- (+79.0%)
PORTO ALEGRE ---------- 610,628 --- (+44.5%)
BELO HORIZONTE -------- 522,919 --- (+41.8%)



1940

NEW YORK ----------- 12,240,461
CHICAGO ------------- 4,862,838
BERLIN -------------- 4,539,256
MOSCOW -------------- 4,131,633
PHILADELPHIA -------- 3,199,637
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 3,191,304
LOS ANGELES --------- 3,183,035
BOSTON -------------- 2,824,955
DETROIT ------------- 2,377,329
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 2,203,345
SÃO PAULO ----------- 1,568,045
ST. LOUIS ----------- 1,518,467
CLEVELAND ----------- 1,399,090
MONTREAL ------------ 1,192,235
TORONTO --------------- 900,000
HOUSTON --------------- 693,221
NEW ORLEANS ----------- 576,883
PORTO ALEGRE ---------- 422,589
MIAMI ----------------- 387,522
BELO HORIZONTE -------- 368,784

SHiRO · #2 Posted **Aug 16, 2015, 9:31 PM**

I appreciate what you are trying to do, but this is a very complicated endeavour. You really need to define what exactely you are trying to compare here. It's already clear that you're not using official definitions for the US metro areas. They seem adjusted downwards (except LA which seems to be adjusted upwards or listed by its CSA definition) from their MSA definitions.

And I don't know if you intent to add places like Mexico City, Lima, Bogota, Toronto, Santiago, Houston, Dallas, etc but I presume you will? It just seems strange to start the thread with an incomplete post and already call what's listed the main metro areas of the Americas...

These kind of threads are very susceptible to city vs city flamewars, that's why I never dared to start something like this despite having extensive research on the subject laying around. I'm just asking you to be very precise in explaining what it is you are comparing (and not treat it as absolute truth!) and I'm warning others that any trolling will lead to immediate suspensions and closure of the thread.

And if you need additional data on specific cities PM me, because I have a lot of references and studies. Official where they exist, estimates where it doesn't (especially on Europe, Latin America and the world's megacities. China and Africa are problematic...)

Yuri · #3 Posted **Aug 16, 2015, 10:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHiRO

I appreciate what you are trying to do, but this is a very complicated endeavour. You really need to define what exactely you are trying to compare here. It's already clear that you're not using official definitions for the US metro areas. They seem adjusted downwards (except LA which seems to be adjusted upwards or listed by its CSA definition) from their MSA definitions.

I tried to look for sensible definitions that wouldn't distorted the earlier figures (1940) with larger rural areas. For New York, I used 9 NJ counties, the City, Long Island, Westchester, Rockland and Fairfield; for Chicago, the seven inner counties; for LA, I left Ventura County outside as its urban area is not contíguos. And for Philadelphia and Detroit, I stick with the traditional, timeless definition: the eight and the three core counties. And finally for the South American ones, as they use more strict definitions, I used the official ones.

I just trying to look how those big cities developed over the decades, looking closer the growth rates, the shifts, the boom periods, etc. I believe it's a very interesting exercise.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHiRO

And I don't know if you intent to add places like Mexico City, Lima, Bogota, Toronto, Santiago, Houston, Dallas, etc but I presume you will? It just seems strange to start the thread with an incomplete post and already call what's listed the main metro areas of the Americas...

I intend to add more and I believe those already posted by me can be called "main metro areas".

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHiRO

These kind of threads are very susceptible to city vs city flamewars, that's why I never dared to start something like this despite having extensive research on the subject laying around. I'm just asking you to be very precise in explaining what it is you are comparing (and not treat it as absolute truth!) and I'm warning others that any trolling will lead to immediate suspensions and closure of the thread.

That would be very imature and I really hope it doesn't happen. We have a vast material to talk about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHiRO

And if you need additional data on specific cities PM me, because I have a lot of references and studies. Official where they exist, estimates where it doesn't (especially on Europe, Latin America and the world's megacities. China and Africa are problematic...)

I would really appreciate your contribution. My main concern though, it's the use of fix and harmonised metro area definitions to make the growth comparable.

StethJeff · #4 Posted **Aug 16, 2015, 11:01 PM**

I don't get your threads. Mexico City missing here. Passing off your opinion of growth trends as fact by calling certain locales "superstars" and others not. They either seem factually incorrect or arranged somewhat negligently.

Yuri · #5 Posted **Aug 16, 2015, 11:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StethJeff

I don't get your threads. Mexico City missing here. Passing off your opinion of growth trends as fact by calling certain locales "superstars" and others not. They either seem factually incorrect or arranged somewhat negligently.

I don't have figures for Mexico City metro area back to 1940. If you have, please few free to contribute. Also, we have already 8 big cities to discuss. No need to crowd the thread so early.

And finally, my posts are separated by raw data, easily checked by everybody, and by my personal and subjective opinion, which is of course, opened to debate.

Yuri · #6 Posted **Aug 16, 2015, 11:30 PM**

Adding Berlin, St. Louis and Porto Alegre:

Code:


2010

SÃO PAULO ---------- 19,683,975 --- (+10.1%)
NEW YORK ----------- 18,802,678 ---- (+2.8%)
LOS ANGELES -------- 17,053,688 ---- (+9.2%)
BUENOS AIRES ------- 12,806,866 --- (+11.7%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ----- 11,601,307 ---- (+8.6%)
CHICAGO ------------- 8,812,655 ---- (+3.8%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 5,259,673 ---- (+4.4%)
DETROIT ------------- 3,863,924 ---- (-4.4%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,723,416 ---- (+3.5%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 3,628,029 ---- (+5.9%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,603,766 ---- (+3.8%)



2000

NEW YORK ----------- 18,286,461 ---- (+8.3%)
SÃO PAULO ---------- 17,878,703 --- (+15.3%)
LOS ANGELES -------- 15,620,448 --- (+12.7%)
BUENOS AIRES ------- 11,460,575 ---- (+4.8%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ----- 10,681,517 --- (+10.7%)
CHICAGO ------------- 8,576,284 --- (+10.9%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 5,036,646 ---- (+3.7%)
DETROIT ------------- 4,043,467 ---- (+3.3%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,596,968 ---- (-1.0%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 3,425,044 --- (+15.9%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,507,460 ---- (+4.1%)



1990

NEW YORK ----------- 16,889,862 ---- (+2.2%)
SÃO PAULO ---------- 15,444,941 --- (+22.7%)
LOS ANGELES -------- 13,862,513 --- (+26.4%)
BUENOS AIRES ------- 10,934,727 --- (+12.0%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 9,647,165 --- (+11.7%)
CHICAGO ------------- 7,736,770 ---- (+1.4%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 4,856,881 ---- (+3.0%)
DETROIT ------------- 3,912,679 ---- (-3.3%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,634,257 --- (+12.0%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 2,954,130 --- (+32.4%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,409,150 ---- (+3.0%)



1980

NEW YORK ----------- 16,525,889 ---- (-5.2%)
SÃO PAULO ---------- 12,588,745 --- (+54.7%)
LOS ANGELES -------- 10,968,312 --- (+14.3%)
BUENOS AIRES -------- 9,766,030 --- (+16.9%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 8,637,995 --- (+27.1%)
CHICAGO ------------- 7,626,589 ---- (+1.3%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 4,717,217 ---- (-2.1%)
DETROIT ------------- 4,044,284 ---- (-3.7%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,244,823 ---- (-4.3%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,338,459 ---- (-2.2%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 2,231,360 --- (+45.7%)



1970

NEW YORK ----------- 17,433,912 --- (+10.7%)
LOS ANGELES --------- 9,595,607 --- (+27.1%)
BUENOS AIRES -------- 8,352,611 --- (+23.9%)
SÃO PAULO ----------- 8,139,705 --- (+69.9%)
CHICAGO ------------- 7,525,200 --- (+11.7%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 6,797,976 --- (+41.3%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 4,817,914 --- (+10.9%)
DETROIT ------------- 4,199,931 --- (+11.6%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,389,655 ---- (-1.9%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,391,547 --- (+12.3%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 1,531,255 --- (+49.0%)



1960

NEW YORK ----------- 15,747,419 --- (+15.4%)
LOS ANGELES --------- 7,552,478 --- (+56.7%)
BUENOS AIRES -------- 6,739,045
CHICAGO ------------- 6,734,182 --- (+21.4%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 4,811,937 --- (+53.3%)
SÃO PAULO ----------- 4,791,245 --- (+79.9%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 4,342,897 --- (+18.3%)
DETROIT ------------- 3,762,360 --- (+24.7%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,455,612 ---- (-1.9%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,128,926 --- (+19.9%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 1,027,507 --- (+68.3%)



1950

NEW YORK ----------- 13,641,663 --- (+11.4%)
CHICAGO ------------- 5,546,020 --- (+14.0%)
LOS ANGELES --------- 4,819,599 --- (+51.4%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 3,671,048 --- (+14.7%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,523,792 --- (-22.4%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 3,137,977 --- (+42.4%)
DETROIT ------------- 3,016,197 --- (+26.9%)
SÃO PAULO ----------- 2,662,776 --- (+69.8%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 1,776,282 --- (+17.0%)
PORTO ALEGRE ---------- 610,628 --- (+44.5%)



1940

NEW YORK ----------- 12,240,461
CHICAGO ------------- 4,862,838
BERLIN -------------- 4,539,256
PHILADELPHIA -------- 3,199,637
LOS ANGELES --------- 3,183,035
DETROIT ------------- 2,377,329
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 2,203,345
SÃO PAULO ----------- 1,568,045
ST. LOUIS ----------- 1,518,467
PORTO ALEGRE ---------- 422,589

mhays · #7 Posted **Aug 17, 2015, 12:07 AM**

The inaccurate title is the largest problem. "Some of the largest metro areas in the World" would work, aside from the varied way metros are defined.

austlar1 · #8 Posted **Aug 17, 2015, 5:23 AM**

Your list of largest metros in North America is just plain wrong. Where is Houston? DFW? Atlanta? Boston? Washington/Baltimore? San Francisco Bay area? Miami? All of these are larger than Detroit and most have been larger for a good while. Most are also now larger than Philly metro. I just don't get what you are trying to do here. There are plenty of places to find this information, and it has been well covered here on SSP in the past.

Nouvellecosse · #9 Posted **Aug 17, 2015, 5:48 AM**

The biggest problem seems to be the idea that a list of cities based on size is subject to "personal and subjective opinion". Size is an objectively measurable quality and not subject to opinion.

Yuri · #10 Posted **Aug 17, 2015, 1:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by austlar1

Your list of largest metros in North America is just plain wrong. Where is Houston? DFW? Atlanta? Boston? Washington/Baltimore? San Francisco Bay area? Miami? All of these are larger than Detroit and most have been larger for a good while. Most are also now larger than Philly metro. I just don't get what you are trying to do here. There are plenty of places to find this information, and it has been well covered here on SSP in the past.

As I stated in the very beginning, and I already did it, I'll add cities later. Meanwhile, we can discuss those already posted. Moreover, there are plenty of info on the US cities here SSP. I want to focus on a more global discussion.

About Detroit, it used to be one of the largest cities in the whole world in 1950, 1960. That's why I decided to feature it before.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

The biggest problem seems to be the idea that a list of cities based on size is subject to "personal and subjective opinion". Size is an objectively measurable quality and not subject to opinion.

Size should be just one aspect of the list. I'm more worried in the growth rates, and the shifts. That's why the fix borders.

10023 · #11 Posted **Aug 17, 2015, 2:48 PM**

I'm confused.

Yuri · #12 Posted **Aug 17, 2015, 3:28 PM**

Adding Moscow, St. Petersburg, Toronto and Cleveland:

Code:


2010

SÃO PAULO ---------- 19,683,975 --- (+10.1%)
NEW YORK ----------- 18,802,678 ---- (+2.8%)
LOS ANGELES -------- 17,053,688 ---- (+9.2%)
BUENOS AIRES ------- 12,806,866 --- (+11.7%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ----- 11,601,307 ---- (+8.6%)
MOSCOW ------------- 11,503,501 --- (+15.8%)
CHICAGO ------------- 8,812,655 ---- (+3.8%)
TORONTO ------------- 5,583,064 --- (+19.2%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 5,259,673 ---- (+4.4%)
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 4,879,566 ---- (+2.9%)
DETROIT ------------- 3,863,924 ---- (-4.4%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,723,416 ---- (+3.5%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 3,628,029 ---- (+5.9%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,603,766 ---- (+3.8%)
CLEVELAND ----------- 1,904,908 ---- (-4.6%)



2000

NEW YORK ----------- 18,286,461 ---- (+8.3%)
SÃO PAULO ---------- 17,878,703 --- (+15.3%)
LOS ANGELES -------- 15,620,448 --- (+12.7%)
BUENOS AIRES ------- 11,460,575 ---- (+4.8%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ----- 10,681,517 --- (+10.7%)
MOSCOW -------------- 9,932,932 --- (+11.9%)
CHICAGO ------------- 8,576,284 --- (+10.9%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 5,036,646 ---- (+3.7%)
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 4,741,923 ---- (-5.2%)
TORONTO ------------- 4,682,897 --- (+20.3%)
DETROIT ------------- 4,043,467 ---- (+3.3%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,596,968 ---- (-1.0%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 3,425,044 --- (+15.9%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,507,460 ---- (+4.1%)
CLEVELAND ----------- 1,997,048 ---- (+0.9%)



1990

NEW YORK ----------- 16,889,862 ---- (+2.2%)
SÃO PAULO ---------- 15,444,941 --- (+22.7%)
LOS ANGELES -------- 13,862,513 --- (+26.4%)
BUENOS AIRES ------- 10,934,727 --- (+12.0%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 9,647,165 --- (+11.7%)
MOSCOW -------------- 8,880,124 --- (+13.4%)
CHICAGO ------------- 7,736,770 ---- (+1.4%)
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 5,002,444 ---- (+7.9%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 4,856,881 ---- (+3.0%)
DETROIT ------------- 3,912,679 ---- (-3.3%)
TORONTO ------------- 3,893,933 --- (+29.8%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,634,257 --- (+12.0%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 2,954,130 --- (+32.4%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,409,150 ---- (+3.0%)
CLEVELAND ----------- 1,979,894 ---- (-3.9%)



1980

NEW YORK ----------- 16,525,889 ---- (-5.2%)
SÃO PAULO ---------- 12,588,745 --- (+54.7%)
LOS ANGELES -------- 10,968,312 --- (+14.3%)
BUENOS AIRES -------- 9,766,030 --- (+16.9%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 8,637,995 --- (+27.1%)
MOSCOW -------------- 7,830,509 --- (+12.8%)
CHICAGO ------------- 7,626,589 ---- (+1.3%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 4,717,217 ---- (-2.1%)
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 4,635,200 --- (+17.4%)
DETROIT ------------- 4,044,284 ---- (-3.7%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,244,823 ---- (-4.3%)
TORONTO ------------- 2,998,947 --- (+14.1%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,338,459 ---- (-2.2%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 2,231,360 --- (+45.7%)
CLEVELAND ----------- 2,060,584 ---- (-7.9%)



1970

NEW YORK ----------- 17,433,912 --- (+10.7%)
LOS ANGELES --------- 9,595,607 --- (+27.1%)
BUENOS AIRES -------- 8,352,611 --- (+23.9%)
SÃO PAULO ----------- 8,139,705 --- (+69.9%)
CHICAGO ------------- 7,525,200 --- (+11.7%)
MOSCOW -------------- 6,941,961 --- (+37.6%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 6,797,976 --- (+41.3%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 4,817,914 --- (+10.9%)
DETROIT ------------- 4,199,931 --- (+11.6%)
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 3,949,501 --- (+15.1%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,389,655 ---- (-1.9%)
TORONTO ------------- 2,628,045 --- (+36.9%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,391,547 --- (+12.3%)
CLEVELAND ----------- 2,238,320 ---- (+8.6%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 1,531,255 --- (+49.0%)



1960

NEW YORK ----------- 15,747,419 --- (+15.4%)
LOS ANGELES --------- 7,552,478 --- (+56.7%)
BUENOS AIRES -------- 6,739,045
CHICAGO ------------- 6,734,182 --- (+21.4%)
MOSCOW -------------- 5,045,905
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 4,811,937 --- (+53.3%)
SÃO PAULO ----------- 4,791,245 --- (+79.9%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 4,342,897 --- (+18.3%)
DETROIT ------------- 3,762,360 --- (+24.7%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,455,612 ---- (-1.9%)
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 3,432,000 --- (+52.0%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 2,128,926 --- (+19.9%)
CLEVELAND ----------- 2,061,668 --- (+25.7%)
TORONTO ------------- 1,919,000 --- (+52.1%)
PORTO ALEGRE -------- 1,027,507 --- (+68.3%)



1950

NEW YORK ----------- 13,641,663 --- (+11.4%)
CHICAGO ------------- 5,546,020 --- (+14.0%)
LOS ANGELES --------- 4,819,599 --- (+51.4%)
PHILADELPHIA -------- 3,671,048 --- (+14.7%)
BERLIN -------------- 3,523,792 --- (-22.4%)
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 3,137,977 --- (+42.4%)
DETROIT ------------- 3,016,197 --- (+26.9%)
SÃO PAULO ----------- 2,662,776 --- (+69.8%)
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 2,258,000 --- (-29.2%)
ST. LOUIS ----------- 1,776,282 --- (+17.0%)
CLEVELAND ----------- 1,640,319 --- (+17.2%)
TORONTO ------------- 1,262,000 --- (+40.2%)
PORTO ALEGRE ---------- 610,628 --- (+44.5%)



1940

NEW YORK ----------- 12,240,461
CHICAGO ------------- 4,862,838
BERLIN -------------- 4,539,256
MOSCOW -------------- 4,131,633
PHILADELPHIA -------- 3,199,637
ST. PETERSBURG ------ 3,191,304
LOS ANGELES --------- 3,183,035
DETROIT ------------- 2,377,329
RIO DE JANEIRO ------ 2,203,345
SÃO PAULO ----------- 1,568,045
ST. LOUIS ----------- 1,518,467
CLEVELAND ----------- 1,399,090
TORONTO --------------- 900,000
PORTO ALEGRE ---------- 422,589

Nouvellecosse · #13 Posted **Aug 17, 2015, 4:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10023

I'm confused.

Same here...

Yuri · #14 Posted **Aug 17, 2015, 4:41 PM**

Would you guys mind to elaborate? Otherwise I don't see the point of posting here.

I believe the thread is quite straightforward: population of large metro areas around the globe between 1940-2010, with fix-borders in order to measure their growth pace. What's so challeging about it?

chris08876 · #15 Posted **Aug 17, 2015, 4:44 PM**

I thought Moscow would be higher on the list?

They keep expanding what the city consists of through annexations. For 2010, I was under the impression that it was 14 million.

Nouvellecosse · #16 Posted **Aug 17, 2015, 4:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by yuriandrade

Would you guys mind to elaborate? Otherwise I don't see the point of posting here.

I believe the thread is quite straightforward: population of large metro areas around the globe between 1940-2010, with fix-borders in order to measure their growth pace. What's so challeging about it?

Because the thread title says "largest" which makes people assume it accurately shows the largest metro areas when in reality it doesn't. It just shows random large metro areas and leaves others out. A better title would have been "Growth trends of select cities (1940-2010)"

The current title makes me expect to see how the list of largest cities has changed over time, perhaps by decade.

Yuri · #17 Posted **Aug 17, 2015, 4:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris08876

I thought Moscow would be higher on the list?

They keep expanding what the city consists of through annexations. For 2010, I was under the impression that it was 14 million.

Me too, specially in the earlier decades posted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

Because the thread title says "largest" which makes people assume it accurately shows the largest metro areas when in reality it doesn't. It just shows random large metro areas and leaves others out. A better title would have been "Growth trends of select cities (1940-2010)"

The current title makes me expect to see how the list of largest cities has changed over time, perhaps by decade.

And in the very first sentence I've explained the thread would be fed, till we reached all the largest eventually. I guess it's more a matter of wanting to be confused.

Meanwhile, I believe would be much more profitable to discuss the ones already posted.

westak · #18 Posted **Aug 17, 2015, 5:14 PM**

Why do you have Cleveland's metro a full 100k less than what's been reported?

MolsonExport · #19 Posted **Aug 17, 2015, 5:50 PM**

If the list is incomplete, it is inaccurate. And if it is inaccurate, it is of little use (Despite the great effort....which is too bad, because it is very interesting).

Largest...implies ranking. Otherwise perhaps the title should be something like "evolving populations in selected metro areas"

Crawford · #20 Posted **Aug 17, 2015, 6:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

Largest...implies ranking. Otherwise perhaps the title should be something like "evolving populations in selected metro areas"

But it isn't metro areas. It's geographies chosen by Yuriandrade. In the case of the U.S., at least, it isn't MSAs, CSAs, urban areas, or any metric.

It's an interesting list but there needs to be a consistent metric. Pick one metric and go with it, don't just choose random geographies and call it a metro area.