Mid-sized Massachusetts cities, many thriving industrial towns in the 1950s, have faced decades of severe decline.
"But, if there is any such renaissance underway in Brockton and similar medium-sized cities around Boston and in Central and Western Massachusetts, it is coming on the heels of a long period of stagnation and decline. Median incomes rank near the bottom of the state in Brockton and 12 other medium-sized Massachusetts cities, according to an analysis of Census 2000 data. All 13 of the cities, except for Fitchburg, rank at the bottom of the state for income growth since 1990. In eight of the cities - Brockton, Chicopee, Fall River, Lawrence, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Springfield, and Worcester - median income declined from 1990 to 2000."
Thanks to Laura Kranz
FULL STORY: Urban renaissance eludes the state's mid-sized cities

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