The Philadelphia region accounted for more than half of Pennsylvania's population growth between 2019 and 2023, per recent U.S. census data.

The big picture: Pennsylvania has seen a modest population increase in recent years, signaling bigger challenges ahead for the state.

• Slow population growth can lead to a shrinking workforce, hurt economic development, and strain public resources and programs.

State of play: The Keystone State added nearly 200,000 new neighbors between 2019-2023, up 1.5% over the previous five years, per census data.

• That growth was mostly concentrated in the Southeast, including the Philly region.
• More than two dozen mostly rural counties saw population declines.

By the numbers: During that period, the Philly region, which spans five counties, grew by more than 102,000 residents.

• Montgomery County's population grew the most at nearly 5%, followed by Chester County (+4.6%).
• Philly proper gained the least at .4%, or around 6,900 people.

What's ahead: By 2050, Pennsylvania's population is projected to rise a mere 1.6%, according to a report from the bipartisan legislative state agency Center for Rural Pennsylvania.

• While urban areas are estimated to see growth over that time, like Philly (+14.7%), rural areas will continue to see declines.

Threat level: Pennsylvania's growth is lagging behind most other states, Kyle Kopko, executive director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, tells Axios.

• And the Keystone State has an aging population, with senior citizens outnumbering people under 20.

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Several Quaker groups, including one in Philadelphia, are suing the Trump administration over a policy allowing federal officials to arrest undocumented immigrants in "sensitive" spaces, like houses of worship.

Why it matters: The policy, issued as part of a bevy of measures meant to carry out Trump's long-promised immigration crackdown, reversed a long-standing federal policy against raiding spaces like churches and schools.

• The policy provoked immediate outcry from Christian denominations around the country.

Driving the news: Five Quaker congregations, also known as the Religious Society of Friends, filed the lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and new DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in federal court in Maryland on Monday.

• The lawsuit argued allowing raids in places of worship violates Quakers' freedom to practice their religion, which they said requires them to welcome everyone.

A DHS spokesperson told Axios the department does not comment on pending litigation.

What they're saying: Christie Duncan-Tessmer, general secretary for the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, said in a statement that the new policy invades their "sacred space and ability to worship freely."

• "Since our yearly meeting's founding in 1682, and since William Penn arrived in Pennsylvania, we have protected space for Quakers and other religious minorities to practice their religion," she added.

The big picture: The Quakers appear to be the first religious organization to challenge the policy, according to NBC News, which first reported the lawsuit.

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🛑 A federal judge temporarily halted President Trump's effort to temporarily pause federal grant, loan and financial assistance programs — a move that sent Pennsylvania officials scrambling yesterday. (Axios)

A first-year Temple student died after falling from a light pole during Sunday's celebration of the Eagles' NFC Championship win.

• Tyler Sabapathy, 18, was a member of the school's club gymnastics team and studying exercise and sport science, the university said in a statement. (6ABC)

✊ Whole Foods workers at Philly's Spring Garden location voted to form a union this week, marking the first unionized store at the Amazon-owned grocery chain.

• Now comes the hard part: Negotiating their first contract. (CNN)

‍✈️ Philly International Airport is adding daily nonstop flights to Mexico City starting June 5.

The Philadelphia region's high-end housing market thrived last year, with most top sales in the burbs.

The big picture: Cash was king in 2024 — 39% of the region's luxury home sales paid in all cash in the final quarter.

• Meanwhile, many homebuyers faced low inventory and rising prices.

By the numbers: Of the region's top 25 most expensive home sales last year, only four were located in Philly proper.

Here are the most expensive homes sales in the Philadelphia area in 2024, per Bright MLS.

#5: $6,615,000

Where: 603 W Hartwell Lane in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia

Peek inside: Five bedrooms, five full and six half bathrooms, and 13,241 square feet.

• Plus: A pond with a stone walking bridge and exercise room.

#4: $6,900,000

Where: 5 Knowles Creek Road in New Hope, Bucks County

Peek inside: Six bedrooms, five full and two half baths, and 15,587 square feet.

• Plus: A nearly Olympic-sized pool and garage space for six cars.

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More than 1,000 fan messages have been left for the Super Bowl-bound Eagles at rotary phones placed around the city so far, local tourism officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: The "Bird Call" blitz invites Philadelphians to send good wishes and words of encouragement to the team ahead of their trip to New Orleans.

How it works: Fans have until Tuesday afternoon to visit several rotary phone locations in Philly and leave a message for the campaign.

• Fans outside of the city can also participate by calling 267-352-4496.

Visit Philly will pick the best messages to feature in its social media and marketing efforts leading up to the big game, spokesperson Jenea Robinson tells Axios.

• Those spots will begin appearing on their social media feeds in the coming days.

The intrigue: Some fans have shown up with full-fledged scripts in hand to shout their messages to the team.

What they're saying: "I am an Eagles fan. I live it. I breathe it," one fan says in a clip provided to Axios. "It's not what I am. It's who I am."

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