Updated 2024 Census Population Estimates for the Pittsburgh MSA

The Census Bureau has released 2024 population estimates for counties and metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) across the United States. The latest estimates are based on the 2020 Decennial Census and estimates of population change over the following years. Annual population estimates reflect the population as of July 1 of each year. Also released are estimates of the demographic components of population change. These include estimates of domestic and international migration, as well as natural population change, over the previous year. 

Data in the recently released estimates reflect the population for the current eight-county definition of the Pittsburgh MSA, which is comprised of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. Lawrence County was added to the definition of the Pittsburgh MSA in 2023.

The estimated 2024 population of the eight-county Pittsburgh increased slightly by 448, or less than 0.1%, between July 1, 2023, and July 1, 2024. The Pittsburgh MSA's total population of 2,429,917 ranks as the 28th largest MSA in the nation. Over this year, the rate of population growth across the Pittsburgh MSA was the lowest among the 40 largest MSAs in the United States. Within the Pittsburgh MSA, only Allegheny County (+1,676/+0.1%) and Washington County (+90/+0.0%) gained population over the year. Fayette County (-0.6%) and Armstrong County (-0.6%) experienced the fastest declines over the year. All counties in the region experienced some level of natural population decline over the year.

The Pittsburgh region continues to be impacted by natural population decline, which occurs when the number of deaths exceeds the number of births. Natural population decline is one result of the Pittsburgh region's older age demographics. The Pittsburgh region has been experiencing natural population decline since the mid-1990s. Over the most recent year, deaths exceeded births across the Pittsburgh MSA by an estimated 7,606 people. Among the forty largest MSAs in the nation, the Pittsburgh MSA is one of only five currently experiencing natural population declines, including Tampa, St. Louis, Cleveland, and Providence.

Other than natural population change, regional population is impacted by migration flows. The Census Bureau estimates two types of migration: domestic migration and international migration. International migration is the movement of individuals to or from places outside the United States. Domestic migration is the movement of individuals between places within the United States. For both types of migration, net migration is the difference between inflows and outflows of population over the year.

Between July 1, 2023, and July 1, 2024, Pittsburgh experienced a positive net migration of 8,071, reflecting a greater number of people moving into the region than moving out. Though the region experienced a loss of population due to net domestic migration (-2,022), that loss was more than offset by a population gain of 10,093 due to international migration.

Additional data and figures:

Time series of net international migration for the Pittsburgh MSA, 2011 to 2024: Link

Time series of net domestic  migration for the Pittsburgh MSA, 2011 to 2024: Link 

Time series of natural population change for the Pittsburgh MSA, 2011 to 2024: Link 

Additional information:

Census Bureau Population Estimates Program web page: Link