Atlas of Urban Expansion

Population

The Population of Philadelphia in 2014 was 5,852,880, increasing at an average annual rate of 0.7% since 2000. The population of Philadelphia in 2000 was 5,329,830, increasing at an average annual rate of 1.1% since 1990, when its population was 4,760,536.

Urban Extent

The Urban Extent of Philadelphia in 2014 was 491,860 hectares, increasing at an average annual rate of 1.7% since 2000. The urban extent in 2000 was 389,538 hectares, increasing at an average annual rate of 3.1% since 1990, when its urban extent was 286,400 hectares.

• 1990
• 2000
• 2014

•  
• Urban Extent
• Urban Built-up
• Suburban Built-up
• Rural Built-up
• Urbanized Open Space
•  
• Exurban Area
• Exurban Built-Up Area
• Exurban Open Space
•  
• Rural Open Space
• Rural Open Space

Density

Built-up Area Density in Philadelphia in 2014 was 20 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -1.4% since 2000. The built-up area density in 2000 was 24 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -2% since 1990 when the built-up area density was 29.19 persons per hectare.

The Urban Extent Density in Philadelphia in 2014 was 12 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -1% since 2000. The urban extent density in 2000 was 14 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -2% since 1990 when the urban extent density was 17 persons per hectare.

Composition of Added Area

A total of 75,263 hectares of built-up area was added to the Philadelphia urban extent between 2000 and 2014. Of that added built-up area, 49% was Infill, 24% was Extension, 2% was Leapfrog, and 25% was Inclusion. A total of 59,931 hectares of built-up area was added to the urban extent between 1990 and 2000. Of that added built-up area, 34% was Infill, 31% was Extension, 1% was Leapfrog, and 34% was Inclusion.

• 1990–2000
• 2000–2014

• Built-up Area
  1990
• Infill
• Extension
• Leapfrog
• Inclusion

Roads

Average road width in the Philadelphia 1990-2014 expansion area was 8.07 meters, compared to 17.82 meters in its pre-1990 area.

The share of built-up area in Philadelphia occupied by roads in the 1990-2014 expansion area was 15%, compared to 22% in the pre-1990 area.

• Pre 1990
• 1990 – 2014

Arterial Roads

The density of arterial roads in Philadelphia's 1990-2014 expansion was 0.86 km/km2, compared to 1.79 km/km2 in its pre-1990 area.

The share of built-up area within walking distance of an arterial road in Philadelphia's 1990-2014 expansion area was 79%, compared to 93% in the pre-1990 area.

• 1990
• 2014

Blocks and Plots

Average block size in Philadelphia's 1990-2014 expansion area was 9.9 hectares, compared to 3.6 hectares in its pre-1990 area.

• Pre 1990
• 1990 – 2014