In 2009, smaller metro areas benefited from increased government spending while many of the country’s wealthiest areas saw incomes decrease.
Over the past few years, small cities with economies are buoyed by military- and government-related funds have seen per capita income rise while cities across the country generally experienced income decreases. While the wealthiest individuals still tend to be concentrated near large cities with strong finance and business sectors, state capitals, military towns and college towns have more recession-resistant economies, according to Venessa Wong. The recent uptick in personal incomes in cities like Manhattan, Kansas and Jacksonville, North Carolina can be attributed in part to across-the-board increases in federal and military salaries.
Wong writes:
'Of large metropolitan areas with populations of 1 million or more, only three had an increase in both net earnings and personal income in 2009: Washington, D.C., San Antonio, and Virginia Beach-all areas with significant government and military presences.'
FULL STORY: The Money's in Manhattan. Manhattan, Kansas
Americans Continue to Move to Smaller Cities
Cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 continue to see an influx of migrants lured by lower costs of living and high quality-of-life metrics.
Legacy Cities, Post-Pandemic
The question of how the pandemic and all of its corresponding crises will alter the future of cities and planning has persisted since March. This article rightfully focuses those large, challenging questions of the Legacy Cities of the United States.
U.S. Cities Where Homeowners Stay Put the Longest
A study identifies cities where people stay in their homes longer, and they tend to be at either end of the income and home values spectrum.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie