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Center City District released a new report on the continued increase in sidewalk cafes in Philadelphia, which have increased by 241% over 2001, emphasizing how important outdoor dining is to Center City's vibrancy and overall appeal. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

Coming on the heels of our roundup of heated outdoor dining, Center City District has released its 11th annual report on outdoor cafes. And the news is awesome.

The 2011 report (PDF) on outdoor cafes, counted in July, shows a 10% increase in the number of outdoor cafes since 2010, for a record 235 separate locations in the Center City Core, which is between Pine and Vine Streets and from the Delaware River to 22nd Street.

This number represents 241% more cafes than the 69 that existed in summer of 2001, the first year CCD counted outdoor cafes.

CCD also counted outdoor cafes from Pine to South Streets and between the Delaware River and 24th Street, and found there were 38 in this area, a 3% increase over 2010, bringing the entire number of outdoor restaurants in Center City to 273. Check out a cool visual chart of the growth below.

The success of these al fresco restaurants and cafes in Center City are a strong indicator of the continued growth of Center City’s economic health. Center City has seen a 10.2% increase in the downtown’s residential population between 2000 and 2010, as more and more young professionals and empty-nesters have been choosing downtown as their preferred place to live.

Regardless of the number-crunching, we’re thrilled that sidewalk seating continues to grow in numbers and popularity.

Because as we’ve said before, we’re huge fans of outdoor dining. It’s an awesome amenity, whether on a breezy summer evening or a cool fall day.

As for today’s lovely weather? There are outdoor dining options galore. See you out there!

2011 Center City Reports: Outdoor Cafes (PDF) [Center City District]

Since 1995, when then-Mayor Rendell legalized outdoor cafes in Center City, there has been a burst of growth in outside restaurant seating, reaching this year's highest-ever totals. (Image courtesy CCD)