The peak population of Baltimore was about 950,000. Now, it is estimated to be below 600,000.
In most ways, this is very bad for the city. Lost population means fewer jobs and less tax revenue, for example. It means thousands of abandoned houses that may never be filled.
This may actually be a good thing during the coronavirus pandemic. So far, Baltimore has not had the high volume of cases some other cities have had. Baltimore is like a 150 pound person wearing a 2XL shirt. The reduced population density resulting from lower population may be resulting in social distancing.
Update 4/21 – tweets on the murder rate
Sad! 