American cities are losing children at alarming rates
Source: Chartbook
Chicago's under-18 population dropped 22% in just 14 years, a decline mirrored across major U.S. cities. This directly threatens the economics of schools, pediatric services, family-oriented retail, and housing demand in core cities, while shifting purchasing power toward aging-focused services. Young families with means are choosing to exit dense urban centers, leaving suburban and exurban markets as the default for family brands.