The nation’s smaller cities and towns have a culture, vibrancy and uniqueness all their own.

While innovations such as driverless cars, demand-price parking and data-crunching sensor networks might be pioneered in big urban centers, there is much creativity and dynamic problem solving going on in communities with populations fewer than 50,000 residents—those that constitute nearly 90 percent of the nation’s general- purpose local governments. 

Snapshot of Small City Success showcases findings from NLC’s extensive research program to provide an overview of small city fiscal and economic health as well as their leadership priorities. The report also offers six case studies looking at various service areas relevant to city government, including service consolidation, affordable housing, historic preservation, culture and the arts, and technology, among other topics.

…the common thread that binds local government leaders together is a determination to take action