Wendell Cox looks at which U.S. cities saw the greatest gains (and losses) to per capita income from 2000 to 2010.
Adjusting for inflation, Cox examines the 28 cities covered by the U.S. Bureau of Labor's Metropolitan Region Consumer Price Index to determine which areas saw the greatest gains and losses to personal income over the past ten years. While 18 cities saw per capita income increase, 10 experienced decreases.
At the top of the list with 9.7% growth is Baltimore, which Cox says benefits from proximity to Washington, D.C. (#3). The list's "biggest surprise" is Pittsburgh's second place finish. Cox attributes the city's 8.2% income growth to a increasing economic activity throughout the greater metropolitan region and declining reliance on the central city. At the bottom of the list is San Jose, with a "stunning" 18.7% decline in personal income since 2000.
The findings suggest a need to rethink preconceptions about regional growth, Cox says:
"Overall, the South and the West captured nine of the bottom ten positions, while only one Midwestern metropolitan area, Detroit, broke into the bottom ten. Of course, the 2000s certainly were an unusual time. But it does suggest that the dogma about the geography of regional prosperity needs to be challenged and perhaps thoroughly revised."
FULL STORY: Personal income in the 2000s: Top and bottom ten metropolitan areas

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont