• Overview
• Smaller Industrial Cities
• Older Core Cities
• Core Cities in Action
• Equity Blog

Research for Policy Change

To Be Strong Again: Renewing the Promise in Smaller Industrial Cities

Smaller industrial cities share a set of common characteristics. They’re:

• OLD – cities that had a population of more than 5,000 by 1880, implying an industrial base or concentration of industry and commerce;
• SMALL – cities with 15,000 to 150,000 residents according to the 2000 U.S. Census; and
• POOR – cities with a median household income of less than $35,000 according to the 2000 U.S. Census.

But they can be strong again. The action ideas and case studies illustrate what’s working to move these cities forward.

To Be Strong Again: Renewing the Promise in Smaller Industrial Cities (pdf) presents an equitable development agenda for rebuilding these cities in a manner where everyone can participate and prosper.

Endeavoring to restore opportunity in smaller industrial cities is an important and worthwhile investment for our nation to make. With coordinated attention and action, these cities can regain their rightful places within America’s diverse and healthy metropolitan regions.