Downtown Baltimore was well-positioned headed into the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus, according to the annual State of Downtown Baltimore report released Tuesday by the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.

Employment downtown grew from 119,690 in 2018 to 124,875 in 2019, though housing occupancy dipped slightly to 93.54% as several new properties entered the market.

However, retail sales were up from $1.119 billion to $1.238 billion and office occupancy and leasing rates held steady.

According to the report, 42,706 people live within one mile of downtown Baltimore, ranking 12th in the country, down one spot from 2018. Nearby Washington, D.C. ranked eighth with just over 49,000 people living within one mile of the central business district. Read more at WBAL