Rosy Robotics Future May Boost Region's Population

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Census estimates released today show the 1980s are still shaping Pittsburgh's future, but new industries and an increase in college- educated people eventually could reverse the area's population decline, experts said.

Chris Briem, a regional economist at the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Social and Urban Research, said the seven- county region lost between 50,000 and 60,000 people a year -- mostly working-age adults and their children -- in the mid-1980s. A quarter- century later, relatively few of them have returned, he said.

Consequently, Pittsburgh is the only metro area among the 50 largest that has more deaths than births.

"The elderly aren't …