press release
Contact:
JoAnn Loviglio
215.440.5546
jloviglio@centercityphila.org
pr@centercityphila.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHILADELPHIA (September 17, 2025) – Philadelphia has emerged as a standout performer in employment growth among major U.S. cities, according to a comprehensive new report examining 15 years of job market data. The Philadelphia Employment Report 2025, released today by the Center City District (CCD), reveals that despite ongoing challenges in the office sector, Philadelphia has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth in its overall employment base.
The report shows Philadelphia's employment grew 13.6% since 2020, outperforming the 11.7% average of the nation's 25 most populous counties. This recovery rate significantly exceeds Philadelphia's own historical performance and places the city ahead of major metropolitan areas including San Francisco (2.4%), Washington (7.6%), Seattle (7.7%), and Los Angeles (10.7%). Only New York's 17.6% growth rate surpassed Philadelphia's among cities that experienced the steepest pandemic-related job losses.
"Philadelphia's employment trajectory tells a story of both momentum and resilience," said Clint Randall, CCD vice president of economic development. "Our city has fundamentally strengthened its position as a regional employment leader and talent magnet. The challenge for our downtown is that this job and talent growth has not materially improved the office market as that entire sector has struggled to find stability in recent years."
Key Findings:
Challenges and Opportunities:
The report identifies key challenges affecting office market performance, including reduced demand for office space and concerns about downtown amenities and safety. However, it also highlights significant opportunities, particularly around Philadelphia's exceptional talent concentration and transit accessibility.
"The data clearly shows that Philadelphia has strengthened its role as the talent capital of Greater Philadelphia, with the Center City and University City areas containing the highest concentration" Randall said. "Companies looking to attract and retain top talent, particularly younger professionals, will find no better location than our urban core. Engaging office tenants from across the region and the city is critical to increase the amount of demand for office space even as we also seek to reduce over-supply through conversions on the other side of the coin.”
Looking Ahead:
The report concludes with actionable recommendations for strengthening Philadelphia's competitive position, including extending downtown vibrancy, activating public spaces, and capitalizing on the city's transit-oriented advantages. With a looming regional transit funding crisis, the report argues that downtown locations become even more valuable for accessing the concentrated talent pool living in and around Center City.
The comprehensive analysis draws on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, JLL commercial real estate research, and U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates, providing the most detailed picture to date of Philadelphia's employment landscape and competitive positioning.
"This report demonstrates that Philadelphia has not just survived recent economic challenges – we've used them as a springboard for growth," Randall added. "Center City's combination of employment momentum, talent concentration, and urban amenities positions our downtown exceptionally well for continued success."
The full Philadelphia Employment Report 2025 is available at centercityphila.org/employment.
Technical.ly
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia Business Journal
Billy Penn at WHYY
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Center City District, a private-sector organization dedicated to making Center City Philadelphia clean, safe and attractive, is committed to maintaining Center City’s competitive edge as a regional employment center, a quality place to live, and a premier regional destination for dining, shopping and cultural attractions. Find us at centercityphila.org