Five years after the pandemic, Center City District is continuing its revitalizing efforts and these efforts have been boosted by two key factors, writes Conner Barkon for KYW Newsradio.

Thanks to new housing that has been constructed in the area, there has been a boost in population that has helped greatly.

According to Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections data, the Greater Center City region saw a 44 percent increase in housing units. This has subsequently led to a 12.5 percent increase in population.

The Center City Housing Report 2025 says that Center City recorded a record 3,811 housing completions in 2024.

“This ongoing clustering of housing in the core is itself a kind of return to office strategy and it’s also a business attraction strategy,” said Clint Randall, vice president of economic development for Center City District.

To the latter point, the increase in population has also led to more retailers to open in the area. In addition, there has also been increased spending power in Philadelphia’s downtown neighborhoods.

The average rent for a place in Center City costs around $2,000 monthly, according to Zillow.

Read more about Center City’s post-pandemic revitalization efforts and what has helped it in KYW Newsradio.

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