Through its Center for Policy and Research, NLC provides an applied think tank capacity by developing, conducting, and reporting research on programs and issues affecting city and towns.

NLC conducts two annual surveys- an annual elected officials' opinion survey in the fall (The State of America's Cities) and a city fiscal conditions survey in the spring (City Fiscal Conditions).  Both survey efforts have been ongoing for over 20 years, providing trend information about the issues and fiscal health of cities.  The results are published in research reports, providing timely information on city priorities and fiscal conditions as well as trends based on two decades of continuous data collection.

NLC also publishes special research reports on current and emerging issues based on a variety of research methodologies.  A key resource for research is the CityFutures Program.  The program houses four panels focusing on public finance, land use and development, governance, and equity.  The program serves as a vehicle for evidence-based research and analysis, drawing upon the experiences and observations of city officials to help frame and evaluate research agendas. 

NLC's most recent research reports and briefs are available to download as Adobe PDF files.  For hardcopies of reports and briefs, please visit the NLC OnLine Catalog or contact NLC's publications department at (202) 626-3000, or call the Center for Policy and Research at (202) 626-3036.

Research Reports