Maryland sees population increase in 17 counties (Database)

Baltimore ended its six-decade long population loss in 2012, according to new estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Baltimore City had 621,342 residents as of July 1, the data shows. That is less than a 1 percent increase over the city’s 2011 population, but is the first time since 1950 that Baltimore gained residents from year to year.

The increase could be tied immigrants relocating to the city. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has encouraged Hispanic immigration to Baltimore,…