- Report
Cities are an essential component of the nation’s prosperity—central to the quality of life, livelihoods, and the long-term prospects of most Americans. Pew’s American Cities Project focuses on the biggest city in each of the nation’s 30 largest metropolitan areas and helps policy makers understand key challenges and promising approaches.
Why Cities Matter
Most Americans either reside or work in cities, and the policies, programs, and services of those places touch people’s lives directly. Whether cities succeed or fail will have an outsized impact on the nation’s economic recovery and long-term prosperity.
30 Focus Cities
The cities we study are: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City (MO), Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland (OR), Riverside (CA), Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, and Washington (DC).
These cities illustrate important trends developing elsewhere in the country. Together, they are home to nearly 34 million people—more than one in 10 Americans. An additional 100 million live in the regions they anchor.
Cities and the Recovery
In the aftermath of the recession, cities are contending with fiscal challenges, including lower property tax revenues and cuts in state and federal aid, as well as continuing high levels of poverty and unemployment. At the same time, they are grappling with profound demographic changes and economic shifts that predate the downturn. Federal and state lawmakers continue to debate major policy changes that will have significant local repercussions.
How We Conduct Our Work
Policy makers need more information about key challenges facing big cities and policy options for addressing them. Our project conducts original research that analyzes and compares the biggest cities in the nation’s 30 largest metropolitan areas and then uses that information to engage local, state, and federal leaders as they consider policy choices that could significantly affect localities.
featured
Subscribe to The Latest from the Project
The LATEST from the Project
-
- Media Coverage
- American Cities Project
Cities Facing Worst Fiscal Situation Since 1980
For the first time since 1980, both property tax revenue and state aid to local governments are declining at the same time. more
-
- Press Release
- American Cities Project
Pew: Localities Squeezed by Reduction in State Aid and Property Taxes, Growing Demand for Services
For the first time since 1980, state aid and property taxes, two primary sources of funding, are dropping simultaneously, according to a new report. more
-
- Report
- American Cities Project
The Local Squeeze
While states slowly recover in the wake of the Great Recession, local governments have been hit with a one-two punch: State aid and property taxes, which together account for more than half of local revenues, are dropping simultaneously for the first time since 1980.
more -
- Media Coverage
- American Cities Project
Cities Lose Property Tax, State Aid: Report
For the first time since 1980, property tax revenue and state aid to cities across the United States are shrinking simultaneously, the Pew Charitable Trusts said in a report on Thursday.
more -
- Q & A
- American Cities Project
Sue Urahn: The New Cities Project
Pew Center on the States' Managing Director Sue Urahn discusses Pew's new Cities Project. more
-
- Q & A
- American Cities Project,
- Stateline
Alan Ehrenhalt: The Relationship Between State and Local Governments
Stateline Editor Alan Ehrenhalt discusses the historic and current relationship between state and local governments’ views and the possible effects on local communities.
more -
- Video
- American Cities Project
Uncertainty Remains for States in Wake of Debt Deal
Pew Research Director Kil Huh provides insights into the good and bad news for states and localities in the wake of the debt ceiling deal. more
-
July 1, 2011
The Debt Ceiling Debate
This brief examines how a potential default by the federal government could present serious challenges to states and cities. more
.jpg)
