Commentary: Philly's suburbs are thriving - and attracting millennials

If you believe everything you read in the news, you might think that millennials are leaving the suburbs in droves for the wonders of the "big city." The reality is that suburbs like Chester County are doing just fine at attracting the next generation of workers.

While there is no question that some college graduates prefer to live in the city, the corollary that the majority of them do not want to live in suburbs like Chester County is just not supported by the facts. In December, JLL Research revealed that the flow of young professionals into Philadelphia had flattened by 2015.

On a broader level, a recent report from the Urban Land Institute (ULI), "Housing in the Evolving American Suburb," casts some significant doubt on this favored media narrative about migration patterns. The report indicates that the suburbs are doing just fine - with millennials and everyone else. In support of this conclusion, the ULI report states that from 2000 to 2015, suburban areas accounted for 91 percent of population growth and 84 percent of household growth in the top 50 metro areas.

As noted in the Jan. 27 Inquirer article by Joe DiStefano, the reality is that Philadelphia's business leaders are concerned that current city policies are making it harder to attract workers. In the article, Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce president Rob Wonderling is quoted as saying that "Philadelphia 'is quickly falling off the list' of places businesses want to locate, due to the 'cumulative effect' of restrictive, anti-job growth measures taken up by city government."

In contrast, unlike some of the doom-and-gloom prognostications for the suburbs, the Chester County story that is being written today is full of excitement and promise. We remain focused on investing in the things that make communities desirable.

Over the last 26 years, the county has invested more than $190 million in preserving open space and, with our partners, we have permanently preserved nearly 27 percent of the county's total land area. And before walkable communities became the fashion, Chester County began investing in its urban areas, to position those communities as attractive options for current and future residents and businesses.

The result? Boroughs like West Chester and Phoenixville are recognized as two of the top 10 most exciting places in Pennsylvania - second and fifth respectively, and above seventh-ranked Philadelphia (Movoto.com). Malvern's thriving downtown community is enhanced by a direct train connection to Center City. And areas like Downingtown and Kennett Square continue to grow in appeal thanks to the success of companies like Victory Brewing Co. and attractions like the Mushroom Festival, Willowdale Steeplechase, and the Balloon Festival.

The results of these efforts, and many others, are evidenced by how the county ranks on the many ways that communities are measured in this era of "big data." Among others, Chester County is currently ranked the fourth happiest in the nation. Its public school systems are consistently ranked in the top tier at a national level. And it stands out as a preferred place to start and grow a business.

Moreover, the demographic of 18 to 34 year olds with a bachelor's or graduate degree who live in Chester County is steadily increasing.

If additional evidence is needed that this suburb, in particular, is challenging the media narrative of the future being all about downtown, look no further than the projections of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC).

In two of its most recent reports, DVRPC identifies Chester County as the fastest-growing county in the region, expected to add more than 146,000 new residents by 2045, as well as 87,000 new jobs.

The ULI report concludes, "A popular theme in the media recently is the resurgence of urban areas across the United States and, often, the contrast with suburban decline. Although a winner-versus-loser framework makes for a convenient and compelling story, it does not reflect the more nuanced reality. This report tries to move beyond the headlines to highlight the generally exciting dynamism and evolution of suburban places."

We share that sentiment and believe that Chester County, and suburbs in general, will continue to be a valued destination for current and future generations.

Michelle Kichline is chairman of the Chester County Board of Commissioners. mkichline@chesco.org