According to a 2020 report from The Brookings Institute, 82% of Pittsburgh's metropolitan population is white. That puts Pittsburgh as one of America’s most extreme cities with populations of more than 1 million people. That also puts Pittsburgh as The Whitest City in America. Oh. Ok. The percentage is outrageously shocking. The headline really isn't. Same headline every year.
We hope The Brookings Institute didn’t spend too much money on this report. They could’ve went to the Shania Twain show at Starlake this past summer…not counted…and said yep…Pittsburgh.
Kite&Key Media designed this video to show off the cities that buck the trend when it comes to national numbers. Dallas has the highest percentage of Christians. Chicago has the highest percentage of Catholics. New York City has the highest proportion of people from non-Christian faiths. Seattle has the highest percentage with no religious faith at all. America’s wealthiest major metro is San Jose/Silicon Valley ($140,000 a year per person). The Inland Empire — also in California — is the poorest, with barely $50,000 a year per person.
Pittsburgh being the whitest is kinda shocking. A record scratch.
Speaking of record scratching, we’ve been to a lot of Pittsburgh weddings. We’ve seen the dancing. Arms flopping. Raising the roof. Did we need this report in writing by actual scientists?
Statistically diversity is low, but the same Brookings Institute compiled a plan for Pittsburgh to remain inclusive and forward thinking to promote diversity while we experience and hope for Silicon Valley expansion and gains. The Pittsburgh Promise continues. Outdoor Inclusion Groups. All positives.
Truthfully, the Google search for Pittsburgh diversity is rather weak. We have to do better. Our leaders must do better.
To ensure Pittsburgh does not fall into this same trap (as Silicon Valley), inclusion cannot be an afterthought, and racial equity concerns need to be viewed front and center.
We are Pittsburgh's LARGEST social media network. We're a cheerleader. This needs to change. A thriving community is a diverse one. We encourage all public officials to keep their campaign promises that diversity matters in Pittsburgh. We need more than a yearly parade. We need an actual plan, tax relief, encouragement, and media attention.
Until then, does Pittsburgh have the most Kirklands per capita? We’ll continue to investigate.