Washington D.C. – The National League of Cities (NLC) has released its 2024 State of the Cities report, an in-depth exploration of the complex challenges confronting municipal governments and the strategic objectives city leaders adopt to elevate the quality of life for their residents. This year’s report, based on a variety of data sources, reveals five top priorities for mayors: Economic Development, Infrastructure, Housing, Public Health and Public Safety.
“Our State of the Cities report offers a nuanced understanding of the priorities that are top of mind for local leaders, the obstacles they’re confronting, and the innovative solutions they are deploying to meet these challenges head-on,” said NLC CEO and Executive Director, Clarence E. Anthony. “Our research shows that the concerns of residents and local elected leaders are synced, indicating a high level of responsiveness that helps explain why local government is the most trusted level of government.”
New this year, NLC’s report includes data collected on public sentiment to gauge community interests. The addition of this information revealed a clear alignment between mayoral priorities and resident concerns. Key findings in the report include:
- Economic and workforce development was the predominant theme, accounting for 32% of mayoral addresses, followed by infrastructure (24%), housing (14%), public safety (10%) and public health (9%).
- For the first time in the 11-year history of this report, housing is one of the top three themes of mayoral addresses, indicating the increased attention that local leaders are giving to the housing crisis.
- Data collected on public sentiment reveals that infrastructure, economic development and housing are among the most prominent policy areas for residents – aligning closely with the top three topics highlighted by mayors in their addresses.
The report reveals that mayors are clear-eyed about the challenges they face attracting businesses, revitalizing their downtowns, funding infrastructure improvements and providing affordable housing. In response, mayors are adopting a variety of strategies to address these issues for their residents. To read some of the strategies cities have adopted, download the report.
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The National League of Cities (NLC), the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy and drive innovative solutions. Stay connected with NLC on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.