Fact Check: "New York City has a population of approximately 8.4 million people."
What We Know
The claim that New York City has a population of approximately 8.4 million people is based on various population estimates. According to the New York City Population Estimates and Trends report, the population was estimated to be around 8.5 million as of July 2023, following an upward revision of 133,000 from previous estimates. This indicates that the population has been growing, with an increase of 35,000 people from July 2022 to July 2023.
Additionally, a statement from Mayor Adams noted that the city now stands at "nearly 8.5 million" people, further supporting the idea that the population is above 8.4 million (Mayor Adams Celebrates Two Consecutive Years of Population Growth).
Analysis
While the claim is close to the actual population figure, it is slightly outdated. The estimate of 8.4 million was accurate prior to the latest revisions, but the most recent data indicates that the population is approximately 8.5 million. The source of this information, the New York City Planning Department, is a reliable and authoritative source for demographic statistics, which adds credibility to the claim of population growth (New York City Population Estimates and Trends).
However, the claim does reflect a general understanding of New York City's population size, as the figure of 8.4 million was widely cited in previous years. The slight discrepancy highlights the dynamic nature of population estimates, which can change due to various factors such as migration and demographic shifts.
Conclusion
Verdict: Partially True
The claim that New York City has a population of approximately 8.4 million people is partially true. While it was a reasonable estimate in the past, the most recent data indicates that the population is closer to 8.5 million. Therefore, while the claim captures the general scale of New York City's population, it does not reflect the most current estimates.
