The city of Pittsburgh added thousands of residents over the last year, one of the biggest population increases the city has seen in decades.

Why it matters: The Steel City regularly loses population due to a hangover of the steel industry collapse and residents seeking greener pastures in the suburbs. Now, a turnaround could be forming thanks to immigration and more urban jobs.

Driving the news: Pittsburgh has added 4,708 residents between 2020 and 2024, the largest numeric increase of any Pennsylvania municipality during that stretch, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released yesterday.

• The city added 2,902 residents between 2023 and 2024, according to the census data.
• It now sits at 307,688 residents and has made up for all its pandemic-era losses.

Between the lines: This is "one of the largest annual population gains for the city of Pittsburgh in a long time," said Chris Briem, a regional economist with the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Social and Urban Research.

• He noted that annual census estimates are not as accurate as decennial censuses and mostly reflect county-level population change and recent data on building permits for residential housing, as opposed to physical counts.

Yes, but: Pittsburgh grew 1.6% between 2020 and 2024, which is much slower than exploding cities in the Sunbelt like Fort Worth, Texas (9.7%), and Charlotte, North Carolina (7.8%).

State of play: Immigration has played a key role in maintaining the city's and region's population as native Pittsburghers continue to leave the region and an aging population continues to die off.

Zoom in: Not all of the Pittsburgh region is experiencing growth.

• Penn Hills lost 1,423 residents, and Bethel Park lost 1,189 people between 2020 and 2024.

What they're saying: Mayor Ed Gainey said he is proud the city added more people than any other city in the state, and he touted his efforts to land affordable housing investment in Downtown, uphold policies that welcome immigrants, and grow city jobs and small businesses.

• "Since the 1960s, our city faced decades of population decline and disinvestment, and our ability to reverse that trend in the last few years is testament to the hard work of my administration and our unique collaboration with the county, state, and our congressional reps," he said.

Go deeper

The popular Mediterranean chain Cava will open two locations in Pittsburgh later this year.

Why it matters: The rapidly growing fast-casual chain has amassed a large fan base by adding restaurants all over the country, and we are one of the latest beneficiaries.

Driving the news: Cava intends to open restaurants in Oakland and the East Liberty area, spokesperson Bailie Bridges told Axios.

• Exact dates have not been confirmed, but updates will be made on Cava's website.

The details: The Oakland location will be in the 3600 block of Forbes Avenue.

• The East Liberty area location will be part of the Meridian mixed-use development at the former Shakespeare Giant Eagle site across from the East Liberty busway station, according to Echo Realty's website.

Dig in: The Washington, D.C.-based chain, known for its freshly made bowls, pitas, shawarmas and dips, has nearly 400 locations nationwide.

The bottom line: Cava adds to the list of popular national chains — like Shake Shack and Kyuramen — finally planting roots in Pittsburgh.

Share this story

👨🏻‍🍳 Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is looking for Pittsburgh-area restaurants in need of a major makeover. Restaurants within 45 miles of the city can apply here. Ramsay and his crew from Fox's "Kitchen Nightmares" previously visited restaurants in Wilkinsburg and Beaver in 2012. (Casting call)

🙏 The Pirates will honor hometown legend Mac Miller with a bobblehead giveaway during Yinzerpalooza on July 19. The first 20,000 fans at the White Sox game will take one home. (MLB)

😷 Dozens of workers at the Bruceton Research Center near Pittsburgh will keep their jobs after planned federal workforce cuts at the facility were reversed — preserving roles at the CDC-run center that tests protective equipment like N95 masks. (TribLive)

🧱 The Sports and Exhibition Authority found that the Pirates acted alone in quietly discarding thousands of fan-funded Bucco Bricks outside PNC Park — just days before the home opener — without notifying fans or local partners. (KDKA)

Pittsburgh-based Dick's Sporting Goods announced that it's acquiring legacy retailer Foot Locker for roughly $2.4 billion.

Why it matters: The acquisition will help Dick's, already the largest sports retailer in the U.S., go international, acquiring Foot Locker's sizable footprint of 2,400 locations in 20 countries.

Zoom in: Dick's will pay $24 per share and the deal is expected to close in the second half of 2025.

• It's also expected to operate Foot Locker as a standalone business, and maintain its brands, like Champs Sports and Kids Foot Locker.
• Dick's said the deal would deliver between $100 million to $125 million in cost savings thanks to "sourcing efficiencies."

State of play: It's the second major footwear retail deal this month, even in the face of tariff headwinds.

Read more

👋 Hi! It's Chrissy, sharing a light, citrusy sip that perfectly balances Hemlock House's moody, Lynchian atmosphere.

Dig in: Rosemary's Baby is made with gin, rosemary, lemon simple syrup and Martini Fiero — an elixir made for warm weather.

Zoom in: Hemlock House, which opened in 2023 in Regent Square's former Map Room, is another venture from Rockaway Pizzeria's Josh Sickels, serving up "irreverent food and cocktails" as proudly declared on its menus.

The vibe: With emerald walls, surreal pine murals and dusky ambience, Hemlock House is a love letter to filmmaker David Lynch's off-kilter universe.

Where: 1126 S. Braddock Ave., Regent Square

Cost: $14

Six-word review: Crisp, airy, tangy, and dangerously sippable