Governing magazine digs into the data about which cities American families are more likely to call home.
Mike Maciag shares the results of a survey of U.S. cities to show which cities are home to the most families. Maciag used data from the Census Bureau that reports the estimated share of household with children under age 18. Across the nation, that share has declined over the past decade, says Maciag, but children currently live in 32 percent of U.S. households.
Families with children make up more than half the households in only two jurisdictions in the top 100 most populated cities in the country: Laredo, Texas and Santa Ana, California. "Nearly all cities where [children are] most prevalent are found in California, Texas and Arizona," adds Maciag.
Helpfully, Maciag also breaks down the data into groups of jurisdictions with similar densities, allowing easy comparison of cities like New York and Chicago or San Diego and Denver, among many, many others.
Maciag shares links to some of the commentary on the trends for younger families living in families versus suburbs, as well as some of the demographic conclusions the data offers in different examples. So, for instance, the number of children living in New York offers different lessons than the number of children living in Atlanta.
FULL STORY: The Most and Least Kid-Filled Cities

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)