Best Cities 2018

Large Cities Rankings - 2018 Best Cities for Job Growth

Mark Schill — Fri, 18 May 2018 11:46:46 -0400

Read about how we selected the 2018 Best Cities for Job Growth

2018 Large MSA Ranking	Area	Weighted INDEX	2017 Nonfarm Employment (1000s)	Size Movement 2017-2018	2018 Overall Ranking
1	Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metro Div	95.4	2,609.2	0	4
2	Austin-Round Rock, TX	94.3	1,050.5	5	7
3	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	94.3	993.0	0	8
4	San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	94.1	1,115.9	4	9
5	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	93.2	1,200.9	-1	11
6	Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	92.7	1,275.7	-1	13
7	Raleigh, NC	92.4	623.7	3	14
8	San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metro Div	92.4	1,130.4	-6	15
9	Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metro Div	92.4	1,711.4	0	16
10	Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	89.5	1,491.5	4	23
11	Salt Lake City, UT	89.3	726.0	-5	24
12	Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	88.7	1,475.7	-1	26
13	San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	85.5	1,049.8	-1	32
14	Jacksonville, FL	85.5	702.7	8	33
15	Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	84.5	1,183.5	1	40
16	Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	79.6	2,075.9	11	52
17	Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV	79.4	988.5	4	53
18	Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	79.0	2,750.3	-5	54
19	Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metro Div	77.9	1,042.1	9	58
20	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	77.3	1,341.9	-1	60
21	Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI	77.2	557.9	-4	61
22	Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metro Div	76.5	1,176.9	1	62
23	Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	75.4	982.8	10	73
24	New York City, NY	74.1	4,476.3	1	81
25	Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	73.8	1,066.6	-1	84
26	San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	72.8	1,467.9	3	91
27	Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, CA Metro Div	71.9	1,638.7	10	95
28	Columbus, OH	70.0	1,087.1	-2	103
29	Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL Metro Div	70.0	1,190.9	-11	104
30	Kansas City, KS	69.6	479.8	11	106
31	West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Delray Beach, FL Metro Div	69.0	624.7	-16	109
32	Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach, FL Metro Div	68.3	846.6	-2	111
33	Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	67.2	3,056.3	5	116
34	Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Div	65.9	1,847.3	-3	122
35	Kansas City, MO	64.9	611.2	-3	125
36	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	63.7	671.9	-16	134
37	Northern Virginia, VA	62.1	1,473.8	2	141
38	Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, MI Metro Div	62.1	1,250.5	-3	142
39	Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metro Div	61.0	2,697.7	3	147
40	Philadelphia City, PA	60.3	715.5	-6	152
41	Middlesex-Monmouth-Ocean, NJ	60.3	906.0	-5	153
42	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	58.0	1,990.0	3	164
43	Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metro Div	56.8	4,487.4	-3	166
44	Oklahoma City, OK	56.6	641.4	9	169
45	Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	51.7	472.9	5	190
46	Camden, NJ Metro Div	51.5	548.2	3	192
47	Tulsa, OK	48.7	456.6	32	205
48	Richmond, VA	48.4	670.9	-5	207
49	Nassau County-Suffolk County, NY Metro Div	47.2	1,342.2	-2	212
50	Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	46.7	501.5	-4	214
51	Urban Honolulu, HI	46.3	482.6	-3	217
52	Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	44.7	1,089.6	-8	229
53	Providence-Warwick, RI-MA NECTA	44.3	591.4	9	233
54	Orange-Rockland-Westchester, NY	44.0	718.1	0	235
55	Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Div	43.3	3,748.6	-4	238
56	Montgomery County-Bucks County-Chester County, PA Metro Div	43.0	1,066.3	-4	242
57	Bergen-Hudson-Passaic, NJ	42.6	934.3	-2	245
58	Pittsburgh, PA	40.6	1,183.7	11	253
59	Memphis, TN-MS-AR	40.3	652.0	-2	254
60	Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY	39.2	568.3	0	258
61	Detroit-Dearborn-Livonia, MI Metro Div	39.2	760.7	0	259
62	St. Louis, MO-IL	38.0	1,377.2	-4	265
63	Silver Spring-Frederick-Rockville, MD Metro Div	37.7	593.2	-4	266
64	New Orleans-Metairie, LA	33.1	575.8	-8	290
65	Rochester, NY	32.3	536.9	-1	295
66	Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	32.2	867.1	0	296
67	Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT NECTA	31.8	577.5	1	300
68	Birmingham-Hoover, AL	30.8	531.1	-5	305
69	Newark, NJ-PA Metro Div	28.8	1,208.5	1	317
70	Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC	27.4	774.1	-5	328
71	Cleveland-Elyria, OH	23.4	1,051.9	-4	345

Mid Sized Cities Rankings - 2018 Best Cities for Job Growth

Mark Schill — Fri, 18 May 2018 11:44:16 -0400

Read about how we selected the 2018 Best Cities for Job Growth

2018 Midsized MSA Ranking	Area	Weighted INDEX	2017 Nonfarm Employment (1000s)	Size Movement 2017-2018	2018 Overall Ranking
1	Provo-Orem, UT	99.4	254.9	0	1
2	Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO	93.5	256.0	0	10
3	Boise City, ID	92.8	321.2	2	12
4	Fort Collins, CO	92.2	166.2	-1	17
5	Ogden-Clearfield, UT	88.0	255.2	1	27
6	Stockton-Lodi, CA	87.1	239.0	9	30
7	Spartanburg, SC	86.0	155.4	5	31
8	Charleston-North Charleston, SC	85.4	354.2	-4	34
9	Fresno, CA	85.3	350.1	3	35
10	Reno, NV	83.0	235.3	10	43
11	Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC	81.7	160.9	16	45
12	North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	81.5	306.3	-1	47
13	Colorado Springs, CO	80.8	288.7	6	48
14	Tacoma-Lakewood, WA Metro Div	78.0	315.9	-5	56
15	Boulder, CO	78.0	190.3	-5	57
16	Santa Rosa, CA	76.3	207.4	14	64
17	Asheville, NC	76.2	193.3	-4	66
18	Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, MA-NH NECTA Div	75.8	158.7	13	68
19	Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC	75.1	241.2	15	74
20	Modesto, CA	75.0	175.6	-4	76
21	Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	74.3	266.1	-13	78
22	McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	74.3	261.6	6	80
23	Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	73.9	178.6	12	82
24	Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	73.9	224.5	2	83
25	Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	73.6	365.7	-4	86
26	Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	73.4	202.7	-4	87
27	Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC	73.2	420.6	2	90
28	Trenton, NJ	72.0	270.7	-14	94
29	Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	71.8	311.7	-4	96
30	Salem, OR	71.0	164.6	-13	101
31	Huntsville, AL	69.7	234.7	1	105
32	Savannah, GA	67.8	178.4	-25	112
33	Sioux Falls, SD	64.9	155.4	-10	126
34	Chattanooga, TN-GA	64.8	260.3	7	127
35	Ann Arbor, MI	63.9	223.5	7	131
36	Madison, WI	63.6	403.3	-3	135
37	El Paso, TX	61.7	315.2	-19	145
38	Springfield, MO	60.1	214.1	-2	154
39	Eugene, OR	60.0	161.2	5	155
40	Lexington-Fayette, KY	59.5	281.3	-16	158
41	Worcester, MA-CT NECTA	59.0	289.6	17	159
42	Lancaster, PA	58.9	254.1	6	160
43	Evansville, IN-KY	55.3	162.7	38	175
44	Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	54.8	184.4	2	177
45	Knoxville, TN	54.1	398.2	-2	178
46	Portland-South Portland, ME NECTA	53.8	205.7	9	179
47	Baltimore City, MD	53.1	377.1	23	181
48	Lansing-East Lansing, MI	52.3	237.8	-3	184
49	Bakersfield, CA	51.9	261.8	10	187
50	Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	51.8	214.3	-12	189
51	Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	51.6	371.0	13	191
52	Tallahassee, FL	51.2	182.6	-5	194
53	Salisbury, MD-DE	50.1	151.6	-3	197
54	Fort Wayne, IN	49.3	223.0	0	201
55	Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	48.3	244.1	-18	208
56	Delaware County, PA	46.7	238.0	0	213
57	Jackson, MS	46.3	283.0	3	218
58	Dayton, OH	46.0	393.6	22	220
59	Springfield, MA-CT NECTA	45.5	336.6	-7	225
60	Green Bay, WI	45.0	177.8	17	227
61	Baton Rouge, LA	44.7	406.7	-11	228
62	Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metro Div	44.1	414.1	14	234
63	Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	43.5	306.4	-12	237
64	Columbia, SC	43.2	395.5	-25	239
65	Lincoln, NE	43.0	189.0	-25	241
66	Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	42.4	360.8	6	246
67	Elgin, IL Metro Div	42.1	259.4	20	248
68	Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	41.9	154.3	-5	249
69	Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA	39.5	266.5	22	257
70	Winston-Salem, NC	39.1	265.2	-8	260
71	Reading, PA	38.8	179.4	-6	263
72	York-Hanover, PA	37.6	186.9	-1	267
73	Tucson, AZ	36.5	382.9	9	271
74	Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	36.4	341.2	-13	274
75	Calvert-Charles-Prince George's, MD	34.0	413.5	-26	282
76	Montgomery, AL	33.8	178.4	-2	285
77	Albuquerque, NM	33.5	391.4	-8	287
78	Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	33.3	186.1	15	289
79	Framingham, MA NECTA Div	31.1	173.1	-22	303
80	Mobile, AL	30.2	184.9	3	307
81	Akron, OH	29.9	342.0	-3	308
82	Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metro Div	29.5	359.5	-14	311
83	Canton-Massillon, OH	28.9	173.5	2	316
84	Toledo, OH	27.3	308.8	-31	329
85	Greensboro-High Point, NC	26.7	361.0	-12	331
86	Rockford, IL	26.2	151.4	8	334
87	Corpus Christi, TX	25.5	191.0	-20	336
88	Syracuse, NY	24.2	318.6	-2	342
89	New Haven, CT NECTA	22.3	282.6	-5	352
90	Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS	22.3	154.8	-1	353
91	Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	20.2	163.6	3	366
92	Gary, IN Metro Div	19.8	275.9	-26	368
93	Wichita, KS	16.3	295.2	-5	383
94	Anchorage, AK	15.9	171.6	-4	387
95	Roanoke, VA	15.7	159.8	-20	391
96	Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT NECTA	15.6	404.3	-4	392
97	Lafayette, LA	12.1	200.4	-2	405
98	Peoria, IL	11.1	170.6	0	409
99	Shreveport-Bossier City, LA	9.0	178.9	-2	413
100	Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA	8.1	218.6	-4	414

Small Cities Rankings - 2018 Best Cities for Job Growth

Mark Schill — Fri, 18 May 2018 11:43:48 -0400

Read about how we selected the 2018 Best Cities for Job Growth

2018 Small MSA Ranking	Area	Weighted INDEX	2017 Nonfarm Employment (1000s)	Size Movement 2017-2018	2018 Overall Ranking
1	Lake Charles, LA	98.8	116.8	0	2
2	Greeley, CO	98.2	106.7	48	3
3	St. George, UT	95.1	64.7	-1	5
4	Gainesville, GA	94.7	91.3	0	6
5	Olympia-Tumwater, WA	92.2	117.8	0	18
6	Auburn-Opelika, AL	92.0	65.3	1	19
7	Elkhart-Goshen, IN	91.5	140.9	5	20
8	Merced, CA	91.5	68.4	9	21
9	Bend-Redmond, OR	90.2	81.8	-1	22
10	College Station-Bryan, TX	88.9	120.6	14	25
11	Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL	87.7	74.4	-2	28
12	Coeur d'Alene, ID	87.2	62.7	-2	29
13	The Villages, FL	85.0	28.4	-10	36
14	Yakima, WA	84.9	87.4	29	37
15	Midland, TX	84.7	97.6	108	38
16	Jonesboro, AR	84.6	58.2	6	39
17	Portsmouth, NH-ME NECTA	83.3	93.1	-3	41
18	Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL	83.3	114.5	31	42
19	Charlottesville, VA	82.0	118.3	26	44
20	Idaho Falls, ID	81.5	66.0	5	46
21	Wenatchee, WA	80.5	44.5	-15	49
22	San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA	79.8	117.8	11	50
23	Kennewick-Richland, WA	79.7	113.3	7	51
24	Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC	78.4	78.1	31	55
25	Bowling Green, KY	77.9	77.0	-10	59
26	Ames, IA	76.3	55.0	44	63
27	Bellingham, WA	76.2	93.9	-1	65
28	Yuba City, CA	76.2	44.3	20	67
29	Winchester, VA-WV	75.8	64.3	39	69
30	Logan, UT-ID	75.8	62.3	5	70
31	Visalia-Porterville, CA	75.7	127.0	-8	71
32	Corvallis, OR	75.4	43.3	46	72
33	Madera, CA	75.1	38.3	3	75
34	Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	74.6	102.9	-6	77
35	Medford, OR	74.3	88.1	19	79
36	Grants Pass, OR	73.8	26.1	23	85
37	Chico, CA	73.3	82.5	-8	88
38	Haverhill-Newburyport-Amesbury Town, MA-NH NECTA Div	73.2	67.0	-7	89
39	Walla Walla, WA	72.6	28.6	24	92
40	Salinas, CA	72.4	140.7	11	93
41	Kankakee, IL	71.7	47.6	120	97
42	Albany, OR	71.5	45.2	15	98
43	Prescott, AZ	71.4	64.3	22	99
44	Kokomo, IN	71.3	42.8	12	100
45	Lubbock, TX	70.3	148.8	-3	102
46	Wilmington, NC	69.3	125.4	-26	107
47	Athens-Clarke County, GA	69.1	97.7	38	108
48	Lewiston, ID-WA	68.4	29.1	10	110
49	Vallejo-Fairfield, CA	67.6	139.3	3	113
50	Odessa, TX	67.4	75.3	126	114
51	Port St. Lucie, FL	67.3	146.5	-35	115
52	Columbus, IN	66.7	53.5	-25	117
53	Pocatello, ID	66.2	37.1	63	118
54	Laredo, TX	66.2	104.6	-14	119
55	Ocean City, NJ	66.2	37.3	91	120
56	Punta Gorda, FL	66.0	48.8	-43	121
57	Tyler, TX	65.3	105.7	-4	123
58	Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI	65.2	77.2	9	124
59	Dover-Durham, NH-ME NECTA	64.5	54.8	-22	128
60	Hammond, LA	64.4	46.8	73	129
61	Panama City, FL	64.3	83.8	15	130
62	Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ	63.8	50.3	56	132
63	Rapid City, SD	63.7	67.6	42	133
64	Carson City, NV	63.4	30.6	113	136
65	San Rafael, CA Metro Div	63.2	116.5	-26	137
66	Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL	62.8	52.0	-34	138
67	Killeen-Temple, TX	62.6	144.0	-56	139
68	Lawrence-Methuen Town-Salem, MA-NH NECTA Div	62.2	83.8	7	140
69	Waco, TX	62.1	121.0	-23	143
70	Redding, CA	61.9	66.4	-8	144
71	Mankato-North Mankato, MN	61.3	58.9	37	146
72	Gainesville, FL	60.8	144.2	-38	148
73	Napa, CA	60.7	71.4	-32	149
74	Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, MA NECTA Div	60.5	82.1	6	150
75	Bremerton-Silverdale, WA	60.5	91.8	61	151
76	Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	59.8	49.9	-7	156
77	Tuscaloosa, AL	59.8	108.8	7	157
78	Gettysburg, PA	58.6	35.7	54	161
79	Hattiesburg, MS	58.5	65.8	16	162
80	Leominster-Gardner, MA NECTA	58.1	53.3	72	163
81	Barnstable Town, MA NECTA	57.9	101.4	-4	165
82	Morgantown, WV	56.7	72.7	56	167
83	Flagstaff, AZ	56.7	67.1	3	168
84	Sherman-Denison, TX	56.5	47.1	-12	170
85	Iowa City, IA	56.3	101.9	-38	171
86	Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL	56.1	143.9	-68	172
87	Longview, WA	55.9	40.0	58	173
88	St. Cloud, MN	55.5	110.1	12	174
89	Grand Junction, CO	55.0	63.3	114	176
90	Missoula, MT	53.2	60.8	1	180
91	Hinesville, GA	53.1	20.4	15	182
92	Hanford-Corcoran, CA	53.1	39.3	37	183
93	Manchester, NH NECTA	52.1	112.0	1	185
94	Cleveland, TN	52.1	48.9	-73	186
95	Sheboygan, WI	51.8	62.7	25	188
96	Harrisonburg, VA	51.2	68.4	-30	193
97	Fargo, ND-MN	50.9	141.3	-59	195
98	Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN	50.7	104.6	-17	196
99	State College, PA	49.9	79.5	36	198
100	Owensboro, KY	49.6	54.5	47	199
101	Clarksville, TN-KY	49.5	90.1	-19	200
102	Ithaca, NY	49.2	64.9	-29	202
103	San Angelo, TX	49.1	49.5	50	203
104	Jackson, TN	48.8	68.7	-33	204
105	Ocala, FL	48.6	102.5	-45	206
106	Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	48.1	149.0	-16	209
107	El Centro, CA	47.5	53.9	-18	210
108	Lynn-Saugus-Marblehead, MA NECTA Div	47.2	45.8	18	211
109	Janesville-Beloit, WI	46.5	68.4	13	215
110	Brownsville-Harlingen, TX	46.4	141.2	-66	216
111	Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	46.0	98.2	2	219
112	Pueblo, CO	45.9	62.3	-25	221
113	Lebanon, PA	45.8	52.4	14	222
114	Warner Robins, GA	45.7	74.0	-7	223
115	Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA	45.6	61.3	53	224
116	New Bedford, MA NECTA	45.2	67.6	-42	226
117	Dutchess County-Putnam County, NY Metro Div	44.6	149.8	112	230
118	Muskegon, MI	44.6	64.7	89	231
119	La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	44.5	79.6	-15	232
120	Abilene, TX	43.7	69.5	68	236
121	Columbia, MO	43.2	100.1	-23	240
122	Rochester, MN	42.9	119.6	-19	243
123	Morristown, TN	42.8	46.3	-26	244
124	Jackson, MI	42.3	58.5	43	247
125	South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	41.4	144.0	6	250
126	Greenville, NC	41.0	80.3	23	251
127	Sumter, SC	40.9	39.6	32	252
128	Appleton, WI	40.3	125.3	-40	255
129	Duluth, MN-WI	39.6	137.3	51	256
130	Rome, GA	39.0	41.4	0	261
131	Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY	39.0	56.2	-67	262
132	Dover, DE	38.5	69.6	-21	264
133	Gadsden, AL	37.2	38.2	-14	268
134	St. Joseph, MO-KS	36.9	64.7	14	269
135	Wausau, WI	36.6	73.1	21	270
136	Yuma, AZ	36.5	56.0	-37	272
137	Florence, SC	36.4	88.5	-36	273
138	Peabody-Salem-Beverly, MA NECTA Div	35.7	97.1	6	275
139	Lawrence, KS	35.5	53.6	-22	276
140	Taunton-Middleborough-Norton, MA NECTA Div	35.4	60.3	33	277
141	Amarillo, TX	35.4	120.6	-31	278
142	Monroe, MI	34.6	42.3	21	279
143	Nashua, NH-MA NECTA Div	34.2	129.4	-6	280
144	Fond du Lac, WI	34.1	48.2	-20	281
145	Billings, MT	34.0	84.4	-53	283
146	Brunswick, GA	33.9	43.5	-63	284
147	Bismarck, ND	33.6	72.3	-33	286
148	Champaign-Urbana, IL	33.4	111.4	36	288
149	Kingston, NY	32.7	62.1	20	291
150	Dubuque, IA	32.6	60.0	4	292
151	Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV	32.6	106.6	-42	293
152	Burlington-South Burlington, VT NECTA	32.4	124.5	-11	294
153	Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ	31.8	59.5	-13	297
154	Macon, GA	31.8	103.2	-26	298
155	East Stroudsburg, PA	31.8	58.3	3	299
156	Cape Girardeau, MO-IL	31.7	45.1	58	301
157	Albany, GA	31.6	63.6	7	302
158	Eau Claire, WI	30.9	86.1	21	304
159	Burlington, NC	30.6	61.5	-47	306
160	Grand Island, NE	29.8	42.2	-10	309
161	Muncie, IN	29.7	52.8	24	310
162	Glens Falls, NY	29.5	54.5	-28	312
163	Dalton, GA	29.4	67.0	-6	313
164	Columbus, GA-AL	29.1	122.1	40	314
165	Lewiston-Auburn, ME NECTA	28.9	51.1	-44	315
166	Wichita Falls, TX	28.3	59.1	74	318
167	Casper, WY	28.3	38.4	41	319
168	Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL	28.2	47.2	69	320
169	Cedar Rapids, IA	28.0	144.3	13	321
170	Joplin, MO	27.9	81.6	39	322
171	Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA	27.9	42.4	-9	323
172	Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI NECTA	27.6	129.9	19	324
173	Lima, OH	27.6	53.5	29	325
174	Jacksonville, NC	27.5	49.3	1	326
175	Decatur, AL	27.5	54.4	60	327
176	Niles-Benton Harbor, MI	26.8	61.5	2	330
177	Danbury, CT NECTA	26.6	78.8	-22	332
178	Great Falls, MT	26.5	35.9	20	333
179	Valdosta, GA	26.1	56.3	-28	335
180	California-Lexington Park, MD	25.0	44.9	-20	337
181	Fayetteville, NC	24.8	130.9	-9	338
182	Sebring, FL	24.8	25.7	-121	339
183	Staunton-Waynesboro, VA	24.4	50.0	-58	340
184	Longview, TX	24.4	97.0	34	341
185	Topeka, KS	24.1	111.6	-70	343
186	Johnson City, TN	24.0	79.9	-15	344
187	Farmington, NM	23.0	49.2	47	346
188	Flint, MI	22.8	140.6	13	347
189	Racine, WI	22.8	77.3	26	348
190	Hot Springs, AR	22.8	37.5	3	349
191	Watertown-Fort Drum, NY	22.5	41.8	3	350
192	Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	22.4	87.1	-26	351
193	Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	22.3	128.6	34	354
194	Lynchburg, VA	22.2	104.5	12	355
195	Dothan, AL	22.2	58.0	10	356
196	Cheyenne, WY	22.0	45.9	-22	357
197	Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA	21.9	75.9	-58	358
198	Manhattan, KS	21.7	42.0	-102	359
199	Battle Creek, MI	21.4	58.3	-56	360
200	Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA	21.1	121.9	-13	361
201	Cumberland, MD-WV	21.1	39.3	12	362
202	Altoona, PA	21.0	61.1	19	363
203	Grand Forks, ND-MN	20.9	56.5	-124	364
204	Monroe, LA	20.5	78.7	-21	365
205	Texarkana, TX-AR	19.8	60.4	-6	367
206	Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL	19.5	56.4	-36	369
207	New Bern, NC	19.5	44.6	-42	370
208	Lawton, OK	19.4	45.8	-12	371
209	Terre Haute, IN	19.2	71.0	-12	372
210	Midland, MI	19.0	36.9	-21	373
211	Carbondale-Marion, IL	18.7	57.2	6	374
212	Saginaw, MI	17.7	88.1	-17	375
213	Jefferson City, MO	17.6	76.8	-32	376
214	Springfield, IL	17.4	111.9	-72	377
215	Bloomington, IN	17.1	76.3	-25	378
216	Victoria, TX	17.1	40.8	-30	379
217	Erie, PA	16.8	127.8	19	380
218	Pittsfield, MA NECTA	16.8	41.2	8	381
219	Bangor, ME NECTA	16.6	66.3	-3	382
220	Homosassa Springs, FL	16.3	33.2	-20	384
221	Decatur, IL	16.2	51.2	7	385
222	Utica-Rome, NY	16.0	126.2	-11	386
223	Santa Fe, NM	15.9	62.8	-31	388
224	Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA	15.8	90.4	-12	389
225	Mansfield, OH	15.7	52.2	-2	390
226	Las Cruces, NM	15.4	70.1	-124	393
227	Waterbury, CT NECTA	15.1	67.1	5	394
228	Binghamton, NY	14.7	104.1	-3	395
229	Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	14.0	138.3	2	396
230	Enid, OK	14.0	25.4		397
231	Williamsport, PA	13.9	53.2	13	398
232	Alexandria, LA	13.5	62.2	-2	399
233	Fairbanks, AK	13.2	36.4	10	400
234	Springfield, OH	13.2	49.8	12	401
235	Bloomington, IL	12.9	93.4	10	402
236	Wheeling, WV-OH	12.5	66.5	2	403
237	Goldsboro, NC	12.1	41.8	2	404
238	Fort Smith, AR-OK	11.4	112.0	-28	406
239	Pine Bluff, AR	11.3	32.9	-6	407
240	Bay City, MI	11.2	35.7	-20	408
241	Houma-Thibodaux, LA	10.2	85.8	-19	410
242	Beckley, WV	9.7	44.7	11	411
243	Michigan City-La Porte, IN	9.2	41.1	-1	412
244	Rocky Mount, NC	8.0	56.3	-25	415
245	Johnstown, PA	7.7	55.3	7	416
246	Danville, IL	7.7	28.1	2	417
247	Elmira, NY	6.8	36.9	2	418
248	Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH	6.3	40.6	2	419
249	Charleston, WV	5.8	116.8	2	420
250	Parkersburg-Vienna, WV	5.4	39.8	-3	421
251	Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ	4.4	33.2	-10	422

All Cities Rankings - 2018 Best Cities for Job Growth

Mark Schill — Fri, 18 May 2018 11:43:21 -0400

Read about how we selected the 2018 Best Cities for Job Growth

2018 Overall Ranking	Area	Weighted INDEX	2017 Nonfarm Employment (1000s)	Overall Movement 2017 to 2018	2018 Size
1	Provo-Orem, UT	99.4	254.9	0	M
2	Lake Charles, LA	98.8	116.8	0	S
3	Greeley, CO	98.2	106.7	110	S
4	Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metro Div	95.4	2,609.2	0	L
5	St. George, UT	95.1	64.7	-2	S
6	Gainesville, GA	94.7	91.3	4	S
7	Austin-Round Rock, TX	94.3	1,050.5	8	L
8	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	94.3	993.0	-1	L
9	San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	94.1	1,115.9	7	L
10	Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO	93.5	256.0	-4	M
11	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	93.2	1,200.9	0	L
12	Boise City, ID	92.8	321.2	5	M
13	Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	92.7	1,275.7	-1	L
14	Raleigh, NC	92.4	623.7	6	L
15	San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metro Div	92.4	1,130.4	-10	L
16	Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metro Div	92.4	1,711.4	3	L
17	Fort Collins, CO	92.2	166.2	-9	M
18	Olympia-Tumwater, WA	92.2	117.8	3	S
19	Auburn-Opelika, AL	92.0	65.3	4	S
20	Elkhart-Goshen, IN	91.5	140.9	16	S
21	Merced, CA	91.5	68.4	24	S
22	Bend-Redmond, OR	90.2	81.8	2	S
23	Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	89.5	1,491.5	14	L
24	Salt Lake City, UT	89.3	726.0	-11	L
25	College Station-Bryan, TX	88.9	120.6	35	S
26	Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	88.7	1,475.7	-1	L
27	Ogden-Clearfield, UT	88.0	255.2	-9	M
28	Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL	87.7	74.4	-1	S
29	Coeur d'Alene, ID	87.2	62.7	0	S
30	Stockton-Lodi, CA	87.1	239.0	35	M
31	Spartanburg, SC	86.0	155.4	16	M
32	San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	85.5	1,049.8	-4	L
33	Jacksonville, FL	85.5	702.7	26	L
34	Charleston-North Charleston, SC	85.4	354.2	-20	M
35	Fresno, CA	85.3	350.1	14	M
36	The Villages, FL	85.0	28.4	-27	S
37	Yakima, WA	84.9	87.4	65	S
38	Midland, TX	84.7	97.6	198	S
39	Jonesboro, AR	84.6	58.2	17	S
40	Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	84.5	1,183.5	1	L
41	Portsmouth, NH-ME NECTA	83.3	93.1	-1	S
42	Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL	83.3	114.5	68	S
43	Reno, NV	83.0	235.3	33	M
44	Charlottesville, VA	82.0	118.3	61	S
45	Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC	81.7	160.9	55	M
46	Idaho Falls, ID	81.5	66.0	16	S
47	North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	81.5	306.3	-12	M
48	Colorado Springs, CO	80.8	288.7	23	M
49	Wenatchee, WA	80.5	44.5	-27	S
50	San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA	79.8	117.8	35	S
51	Kennewick-Richland, WA	79.7	113.3	26	S
52	Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	79.6	2,075.9	23	L
53	Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV	79.4	988.5	4	L
54	Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	79.0	2,750.3	-23	L
55	Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC	78.4	78.1	63	S
56	Tacoma-Lakewood, WA Metro Div	78.0	315.9	-24	M
57	Boulder, CO	78.0	190.3	-24	M
58	Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metro Div	77.9	1,042.1	20	L
59	Bowling Green, KY	77.9	77.0	-17	S
60	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	77.3	1,341.9	-10	L
61	Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI	77.2	557.9	-17	L
62	Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metro Div	76.5	1,176.9	-1	L
63	Ames, IA	76.3	55.0	82	S
64	Santa Rosa, CA	76.3	207.4	47	M
65	Bellingham, WA	76.2	93.9	-2	S
66	Asheville, NC	76.2	193.3	-14	M
67	Yuba City, CA	76.2	44.3	42	S
68	Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, MA-NH NECTA Division	75.8	158.7	52	M
69	Winchester, VA-WV	75.8	64.3	73	S
70	Logan, UT-ID	75.8	62.3	18	S
71	Visalia-Porterville, CA	75.7	127.0	-13	S
72	Corvallis, OR	75.4	43.3	92	S
73	Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	75.4	982.8	39	L
74	Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC	75.1	241.2	55	M
75	Madera, CA	75.1	38.3	14	S
76	Modesto, CA	75.0	175.6	-10	M
77	Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	74.6	102.9	-4	S
78	Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	74.3	266.1	-48	M
79	Medford, OR	74.3	88.1	38	S
80	McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	74.3	261.6	24	M
81	New York City, NY	74.1	4,476.3	-12	L
82	Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	73.9	178.6	49	M
83	Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	73.9	224.5	14	M
84	Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	73.8	1,066.6	-20	L
85	Grants Pass, OR	73.8	26.1	38	S
86	Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	73.6	365.7	-7	M
87	Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	73.4	202.7	-6	M
88	Chico, CA	73.3	82.5	-14	S
89	Haverhill-Newburyport-Amesbury Town, MA-NH NECTA Division	73.2	67.0	-9	S
90	Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC	73.2	420.6	18	M
91	San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	72.8	1,467.9	-7	L
92	Walla Walla, WA	72.6	28.6	42	S
93	Salinas, CA	72.4	140.7	21	S
94	Trenton, NJ	72.0	270.7	-41	M
95	Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, CA Metro Div	71.9	1,638.7	45	L
96	Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	71.8	311.7	-1	M
97	Kankakee, IL	71.7	47.6	198	S
98	Albany, OR	71.5	45.2	23	S
99	Prescott, AZ	71.4	64.3	37	S
100	Kokomo, IN	71.3	42.8	19	S
101	Salem, OR	71.0	164.6	-34	M
102	Lubbock, TX	70.3	148.8	-1	S
103	Columbus, OH	70.0	1,087.1	-33	L
104	Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL Metro Div	70.0	1,190.9	-56	L
105	Huntsville, AL	69.7	234.7	19	M
106	Kansas City, KS	69.6	479.8	46	L
107	Wilmington, NC	69.3	125.4	-53	S
108	Athens-Clarke County, GA	69.1	97.7	68	S
109	West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Delray Beach, FL Metro Div	69.0	624.7	-71	L
110	Lewiston, ID-WA	68.4	29.1	12	S
111	Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach, FL Metro Div	68.3	846.6	-21	L
112	Savannah, GA	67.8	178.4	-86	M
113	Vallejo-Fairfield, CA	67.6	139.3	2	S
114	Odessa, TX	67.4	75.3	206	S
115	Port St. Lucie, FL	67.3	146.5	-72	S
116	Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	67.2	3,056.3	25	L
117	Columbus, IN	66.7	53.5	-45	S
118	Pocatello, ID	66.2	37.1	105	S
119	Laredo, TX	66.2	104.6	-21	S
120	Ocean City, NJ	66.2	37.3	145	S
121	Punta Gorda, FL	66.0	48.8	-82	S
122	Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division	65.9	1,847.3	-31	L
123	Tyler, TX	65.3	105.7	-7	S
124	Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI	65.2	77.2	15	S
125	Kansas City, MO	64.9	611.2	-32	L
126	Sioux Falls, SD	64.9	155.4	-43	M
127	Chattanooga, TN-GA	64.8	260.3	30	M
128	Dover-Durham, NH-ME NECTA	64.5	54.8	-36	S
129	Hammond, LA	64.4	46.8	119	S
130	Panama City, FL	64.3	83.8	31	S
131	Ann Arbor, MI	63.9	223.5	28	M
132	Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ	63.8	50.3	98	S
133	Rapid City, SD	63.7	67.6	72	S
134	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	63.7	671.9	-83	L
135	Madison, WI	63.6	403.3	-8	M
136	Carson City, NV	63.4	30.6	185	S
137	San Rafael, CA Metro Div	63.2	116.5	-41	S
138	Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL	62.8	52.0	-56	S
139	Killeen-Temple, TX	62.6	144.0	-105	S
140	Lawrence-Methuen Town-Salem, MA-NH NECTA Division	62.2	83.8	18	S
141	Northern Virginia, VA	62.1	1,473.8	6	L
142	Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, MI Metro Div	62.1	1,250.5	-12	L
143	Waco, TX	62.1	121.0	-37	S
144	Redding, CA	61.9	66.4	-11	S
145	El Paso, TX	61.7	315.2	-77	M
146	Mankato-North Mankato, MN	61.3	58.9	68	S
147	Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metro Div	61.0	2,697.7	9	L
148	Gainesville, FL	60.8	144.2	-62	S
149	Napa, CA	60.7	71.4	-50	S
150	Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, MA NECTA Division	60.5	82.1	18	S
151	Bremerton-Silverdale, WA	60.5	91.8	101	S
152	Philadelphia City, PA	60.3	715.5	-27	L
153	Middlesex-Monmouth-Ocean, NJ	60.3	906.0	-16	L
154	Springfield, MO	60.1	214.1	-22	M
155	Eugene, OR	60.0	161.2	8	M
156	Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	59.8	49.9	-13	S
157	Tuscaloosa, AL	59.8	108.8	17	S
158	Lexington-Fayette, KY	59.5	281.3	-71	M
159	Worcester, MA-CT NECTA	59.0	289.6	67	M
160	Lancaster, PA	58.9	254.1	19	M
161	Gettysburg, PA	58.6	35.7	86	S
162	Hattiesburg, MS	58.5	65.8	30	S
163	Leominster-Gardner, MA NECTA	58.1	53.3	112	S
164	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	58.0	1,990.0	14	L
165	Barnstable Town, MA NECTA	57.9	101.4	-3	S
166	Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metro Div	56.8	4,487.4	-18	L
167	Morgantown, WV	56.7	72.7	88	S
168	Flagstaff, AZ	56.7	67.1	9	S
169	Oklahoma City, OK	56.6	641.4	58	L
170	Sherman-Denison, TX	56.5	47.1	-21	S
171	Iowa City, IA	56.3	101.9	-64	S
172	Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL	56.1	143.9	-126	S
173	Longview, WA	55.9	40.0	91	S
174	St. Cloud, MN	55.5	110.1	25	S
175	Evansville, IN-KY	55.3	162.7	141	M
176	Grand Junction, CO	55.0	63.3	186	S
177	Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	54.8	184.4	-11	M
178	Knoxville, TN	54.1	398.2	-18	M
179	Portland-South Portland, ME NECTA	53.8	205.7	34	M
180	Missoula, MT	53.2	60.8	6	S
181	Baltimore City, MD	53.1	377.1	108	M
182	Hinesville, GA	53.1	20.4	25	S
183	Hanford-Corcoran, CA	53.1	39.3	61	S
184	Lansing-East Lansing, MI	52.3	237.8	-19	M
185	Manchester, NH NECTA	52.1	112.0	5	S
186	Cleveland, TN	52.1	48.9	-131	S
187	Bakersfield, CA	51.9	261.8	48	M
188	Sheboygan, WI	51.8	62.7	44	S
189	Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	51.8	214.3	-39	M
190	Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	51.7	472.9	18	L
191	Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	51.6	371.0	83	M
192	Camden, NJ Metro Div	51.5	548.2	5	L
193	Harrisonburg, VA	51.2	68.4	-55	S
194	Tallahassee, FL	51.2	182.6	-21	M
195	Fargo, ND-MN	50.9	141.3	-101	S
196	Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN	50.7	104.6	-27	S
197	Salisbury, MD-DE	50.1	151.6	-8	M
198	State College, PA	49.9	79.5	53	S
199	Owensboro, KY	49.6	54.5	67	S
200	Clarksville, TN-KY	49.5	90.1	-30	S
201	Fort Wayne, IN	49.3	223.0	9	M
202	Ithaca, NY	49.2	64.9	-51	S
203	San Angelo, TX	49.1	49.5	75	S
204	Jackson, TN	48.8	68.7	-58	S
205	Tulsa, OK	48.7	456.6	107	L
206	Ocala, FL	48.6	102.5	-80	S
207	Richmond, VA	48.4	670.9	-35	L
208	Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	48.3	244.1	-64	M
209	Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	48.1	149.0	-25	S
210	El Centro, CA	47.5	53.9	-27	S
211	Lynn-Saugus-Marblehead, MA NECTA Division	47.2	45.8	28	S
212	Nassau County-Suffolk County, NY Metro Div	47.2	1,342.2	-25	L
213	Delaware County, PA	46.7	238.0	5	M
214	Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	46.7	501.5	-29	L
215	Janesville-Beloit, WI	46.5	68.4	19	S
216	Brownsville-Harlingen, TX	46.4	141.2	-113	S
217	Urban Honolulu, HI	46.3	482.6	-22	L
218	Jackson, MS	46.3	283.0	23	M
219	Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	46.0	98.2	1	S
220	Dayton, OH	46.0	393.6	94	M
221	Pueblo, CO	45.9	62.3	-40	S
222	Lebanon, PA	45.8	52.4	18	S
223	Warner Robins, GA	45.7	74.0	-12	S
224	Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA	45.6	61.3	80	S
225	Springfield, MA-CT NECTA	45.5	336.6	-19	M
226	New Bedford, MA NECTA	45.2	67.6	-71	S
227	Green Bay, WI	45.0	177.8	81	M
228	Baton Rouge, LA	44.7	406.7	-37	M
229	Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	44.7	1,089.6	-54	L
230	Dutchess County-Putnam County, NY Metro Div	44.6	149.8	163	S
231	Muskegon, MI	44.6	64.7	138	S
232	La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	44.5	79.6	-28	S
233	Providence-Warwick, RI-MA NECTA	44.3	591.4	63	L
234	Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metro Div	44.1	414.1	73	M
235	Orange-Rockland-Westchester, NY	44.0	718.1	-6	L
236	Abilene, TX	43.7	69.5	103	S
237	Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	43.5	306.4	-37	M
238	Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Div	43.3	3,748.6	-26	L
239	Columbia, SC	43.2	395.5	-86	M
240	Columbia, MO	43.2	100.1	-44	S
241	Lincoln, NE	43.0	189.0	-87	M
242	Montgomery County-Bucks County-Chester County, PA Metro Div	43.0	1,066.3	-18	L
243	Rochester, MN	42.9	119.6	-40	S
244	Morristown, TN	42.8	46.3	-50	S
245	Bergen-Hudson-Passaic, NJ	42.6	934.3	-2	L
246	Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	42.4	360.8	45	M
247	Jackson, MI	42.3	58.5	56	S
248	Elgin, IL Metro Div	42.1	259.4	100	M
249	Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	41.9	154.3	22	M
250	South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	41.4	144.0	-4	S
251	Greenville, NC	41.0	80.3	18	S
252	Sumter, SC	40.9	39.6	41	S
253	Pittsburgh, PA	40.6	1,183.7	89	L
254	Memphis, TN-MS-AR	40.3	652.0	-1	L
255	Appleton, WI	40.3	125.3	-73	S
256	Duluth, MN-WI	39.6	137.3	69	S
257	Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA	39.5	266.5	110	M
258	Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY	39.2	568.3	18	L
259	Detroit-Dearborn-Livonia, MI Metro Div	39.2	760.7	27	L
260	Winston-Salem, NC	39.1	265.2	10	M
261	Rome, GA	39.0	41.4	-16	S
262	Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY	39.0	56.2	-127	S
263	Reading, PA	38.8	179.4	14	M
264	Dover, DE	38.5	69.6	-47	S
265	St. Louis, MO-IL	38.0	1,377.2	-8	L
266	Silver Spring-Frederick-Rockville, MD Metro Div	37.7	593.2	-7	L
267	York-Hanover, PA	37.6	186.9	23	M
268	Gadsden, AL	37.2	38.2	-37	S
269	St. Joseph, MO-KS	36.9	64.7	-1	S
270	Wausau, WI	36.6	73.1	12	S
271	Tucson, AZ	36.5	382.9	56	M
272	Yuma, AZ	36.5	56.0	-74	S
273	Florence, SC	36.4	88.5	-72	S
274	Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	36.4	341.2	-7	M
275	Peabody-Salem-Beverly, MA NECTA Division	35.7	97.1	-12	S
276	Lawrence, KS	35.5	53.6	-48	S
277	Taunton-Middleborough-Norton, MA NECTA Division	35.4	60.3	40	S
278	Amarillo, TX	35.4	120.6	-62	S
279	Monroe, MI	34.6	42.3	20	S
280	Nashua, NH-MA NECTA Division	34.2	129.4	-26	S
281	Fond du Lac, WI	34.1	48.2	-44	S
282	Calvert-Charles-Prince George's, MD	34.0	413.5	-102	M
283	Billings, MT	34.0	84.4	-95	S
284	Brunswick, GA	33.9	43.5	-113	S
285	Montgomery, AL	33.8	178.4	12	M
286	Bismarck, ND	33.6	72.3	-65	S
287	Albuquerque, NM	33.5	391.4	0	M
288	Champaign-Urbana, IL	33.4	111.4	42	S
289	Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	33.3	186.1	91	M
290	New Orleans-Metairie, LA	33.1	575.8	-40	L
291	Kingston, NY	32.7	62.1	14	S
292	Dubuque, IA	32.6	60.0	-12	S
293	Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV	32.6	106.6	-78	S
294	Burlington-South Burlington, VT NECTA	32.4	124.5	-34	S
295	Rochester, NY	32.3	536.9	29	L
296	Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	32.2	867.1	38	L
297	Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ	31.8	59.5	-39	S
298	Macon, GA	31.8	103.2	-56	S
299	East Stroudsburg, PA	31.8	58.3	-11	S
300	Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT NECTA	31.8	577.5	36	L
301	Cape Girardeau, MO-IL	31.7	45.1	75	S
302	Albany, GA	31.6	63.6	-2	S
303	Framingham, MA NECTA Division	31.1	173.1	-78	M
304	Eau Claire, WI	30.9	86.1	19	S
305	Birmingham-Hoover, AL	30.8	531.1	5	L
306	Burlington, NC	30.6	61.5	-87	S
307	Mobile, AL	30.2	184.9	30	M
308	Akron, OH	29.9	342.0	3	M
309	Grand Island, NE	29.8	42.2	-37	S
310	Muncie, IN	29.7	52.8	21	S
311	Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metro Div	29.5	359.5	-26	M
312	Glens Falls, NY	29.5	54.5	-63	S
313	Dalton, GA	29.4	67.0	-30	S
314	Columbus, GA-AL	29.1	122.1	49	S
315	Lewiston-Auburn, ME NECTA	28.9	51.1	-82	S
316	Canton-Massillon, OH	28.9	173.5	30	M
317	Newark, NJ-PA Metro Div	28.8	1,208.5	42	L
318	Wichita Falls, TX	28.3	59.1	88	S
319	Casper, WY	28.3	38.4	51	S
320	Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL	28.2	47.2	83	S
321	Cedar Rapids, IA	28.0	144.3	7	S
322	Joplin, MO	27.9	81.6	49	S
323	Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA	27.9	42.4	-25	S
324	Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI NECTA	27.6	129.9	19	S
325	Lima, OH	27.6	53.5	35	S
326	Jacksonville, NC	27.5	49.3	-7	S
327	Decatur, AL	27.5	54.4	73	S
328	Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC	27.4	774.1	4	L
329	Toledo, OH	27.3	308.8	-120	M
330	Niles-Benton Harbor, MI	26.8	61.5	-8	S
331	Greensboro-High Point, NC	26.7	361.0	-39	M
332	Danbury, CT NECTA	26.6	78.8	-51	S
333	Great Falls, MT	26.5	35.9	21	S
334	Rockford, IL	26.2	151.4	53	M
335	Valdosta, GA	26.1	56.3	-62	S
336	Corpus Christi, TX	25.5	191.0	-52	M
337	California-Lexington Park, MD	25.0	44.9	-43	S
338	Fayetteville, NC	24.8	130.9	-23	S
339	Sebring, FL	24.8	25.7	-211	S
340	Staunton-Waynesboro, VA	24.4	50.0	-102	S
341	Longview, TX	24.4	97.0	40	S
342	Syracuse, NY	24.2	318.6	5	M
343	Topeka, KS	24.1	111.6	-121	S
344	Johnson City, TN	24.0	79.9	-31	S
345	Cleveland-Elyria, OH	23.4	1,051.9	-10	L
346	Farmington, NM	23.0	49.2	53	S
347	Flint, MI	22.8	140.6	11	S
348	Racine, WI	22.8	77.3	29	S
349	Hot Springs, AR	22.8	37.5	0	S
350	Watertown-Fort Drum, NY	22.5	41.8	0	S
351	Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	22.4	87.1	-49	S
352	New Haven, CT NECTA	22.3	282.6	-8	M
353	Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS	22.3	154.8	8	M
354	Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	22.3	128.6	36	S
355	Lynchburg, VA	22.2	104.5	10	S
356	Dothan, AL	22.2	58.0	8	S
357	Cheyenne, WY	22.0	45.9	-39	S
358	Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA	21.9	75.9	-102	S
359	Manhattan, KS	21.7	42.0	-166	S
360	Battle Creek, MI	21.4	58.3	-98	S
361	Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA	21.1	121.9	-23	S
362	Cumberland, MD-WV	21.1	39.3	13	S
363	Altoona, PA	21.0	61.1	21	S
364	Grand Forks, ND-MN	20.9	56.5	-197	S
365	Monroe, LA	20.5	78.7	-36	S
366	Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	20.2	163.6	25	M
367	Texarkana, TX-AR	19.8	60.4	-11	S
368	Gary, IN Metro Div	19.8	275.9	-89	M
369	Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL	19.5	56.4	-60	S
370	New Bern, NC	19.5	44.6	-69	S
371	Lawton, OK	19.4	45.8	-19	S
372	Terre Haute, IN	19.2	71.0	-19	S
373	Midland, MI	19.0	36.9	-33	S
374	Carbondale-Marion, IL	18.7	57.2	5	S
375	Saginaw, MI	17.7	88.1	-24	S
376	Jefferson City, MO	17.6	76.8	-50	S
377	Springfield, IL	17.4	111.9	-116	S
378	Bloomington, IN	17.1	76.3	-37	S
379	Victoria, TX	17.1	40.8	-46	S
380	Erie, PA	16.8	127.8	22	S
381	Pittsfield, MA NECTA	16.8	41.2	8	S
382	Bangor, ME NECTA	16.6	66.3	-4	S
383	Wichita, KS	16.3	295.2	-28	M
384	Homosassa Springs, FL	16.3	33.2	-27	S
385	Decatur, IL	16.2	51.2	7	S
386	Utica-Rome, NY	16.0	126.2	-13	S
387	Anchorage, AK	15.9	171.6	-21	M
388	Santa Fe, NM	15.9	62.8	-43	S
389	Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA	15.8	90.4	-15	S
390	Mansfield, OH	15.7	52.2	-4	S
391	Roanoke, VA	15.7	159.8	-85	M
392	Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT NECTA	15.6	404.3	-24	M
393	Las Cruces, NM	15.4	70.1	-191	S
394	Waterbury, CT NECTA	15.1	67.1	2	S
395	Binghamton, NY	14.7	104.1	-7	S
396	Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	14.0	138.3	-1	S
397	Enid, OK	14.0	25.4	-397	S
398	Williamsport, PA	13.9	53.2	12	S
399	Alexandria, LA	13.5	62.2	-5	S
400	Fairbanks, AK	13.2	36.4	9	S
401	Springfield, OH	13.2	49.8	12	S
402	Bloomington, IL	12.9	93.4	9	S
403	Wheeling, WV-OH	12.5	66.5	1	S
404	Goldsboro, NC	12.1	41.8	1	S
405	Lafayette, LA	12.1	200.4	-7	M
406	Fort Smith, AR-OK	11.4	112.0	-34	S
407	Pine Bluff, AR	11.3	32.9	-10	S
408	Bay City, MI	11.2	35.7	-25	S
409	Peoria, IL	11.1	170.6	8	M
410	Houma-Thibodaux, LA	10.2	85.8	-25	S
411	Beckley, WV	9.7	44.7	10	S
412	Michigan City-La Porte, IN	9.2	41.1	-4	S
413	Shreveport-Bossier City, LA	9.0	178.9	-1	M
414	Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA	8.1	218.6	-13	M
415	Rocky Mount, NC	8.0	56.3	-33	S
416	Johnstown, PA	7.7	55.3	4	S
417	Danville, IL	7.7	28.1	-2	S
418	Elmira, NY	6.8	36.9	-2	S
419	Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH	6.3	40.6	-1	S
420	Charleston, WV	5.8	116.8	-1	S
421	Parkersburg-Vienna, WV	5.4	39.8	-7	S
422	Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ	4.4	33.2	-15	S

2018 How We Pick the Best Cities for Job Growth

Mark Schill — Fri, 18 May 2018 11:40:34 -0400

The methodology for our 2018 ranking largely corresponds to that used in previous years. We seek to measure the robustness of metro areas’ growth both recently and over time, with some minor corrections to mitigate the volatility that the Great Recession has introduced into the earlier parts of the time series. The ranking is based on three-month rolling averages of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ “state and area” unadjusted employment data reported from November 2006 to January 2018.

The data reflect the North American Industry Classification System categories, including total nonfarm employment, manufacturing, financial services, business and professional services, educational and health services, information, retail and wholesale trade, transportation and utilities, leisure and hospitality, and government.

We used five measures of growth to rank all 422 metropolitan statistical areas for which full data sets were available from the past 15 years, up from 421 last year. “Large” areas include those with a current nonfarm employment base of at least 450,000 jobs. “Midsize” areas range from 150,000 to 450,000 jobs. “Small” areas have as many as 150,000 jobs.

Growth In America Is Tilting To Smaller Cities

Joel Kotkin and Michael Shires — Wed, 16 May 2018 01:33:38 -0400

We are often told that America’s future lies in our big cities. That may no longer be entirely true. Some of the strongest job creation and population growth is now occurring in cities of 1 million people or less.

In this year’s edition of our Best Cities For Jobs survey, we found that six of the 10 metropolitan areas with the fastest job growth are either mid-sized (150,000 to 450,000 total nonfarm jobs) or smaller (less than 150,000 nonfarm jobs). They also account for 18 out of the top 30. Smaller metro areas dominated job growth in a number of sectors, including manufacturing (all the top 20), information (all of the top 10) jobs and, less surprisingly, natural resources, construction and mining.

Read the entire piece on Forbes.com.

Joel Kotkin is executive editor of NewGeography.com. He is the Roger Hobbs Distinguished Fellow in Urban Studies at Chapman University and executive director of the Houston-based Center for Opportunity Urbanism. His newest book is The Human City: Urbanism for the rest of us. He is also author of The New Class Conflict, The City: A Global History, and The Next Hundred Million: America in 2050. He lives in Orange County, CA.

Dr. Michael Shires primary areas of teaching and research include state, regional and local policy; technology and democracy; higher education policy; strategic, political and organizational issues in public policy; and quantitative analysis. He often serves as a consultant to local and state government on issues related to finance, education policy and governance. Dr. Shires has been quoted as an expert in various publications including USA Today, Newsweek, The Economist, The Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle, and LA Times. He has also appeared as a guest commentator on CNN, KTLA and KCAL to name a few.

Photo: Javin Weaver [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons

The Best Cities For Jobs 2018: Dallas And Austin Lead The Surging South

Joel Kotkin and Michael Shires — Tue, 08 May 2018 01:33:38 -0400

Among America’s largest metropolitan areas, the economic leaders come in two flavors: Southern-fried and West Coast organic. The first group flourishes across a broad range of industries, fed by strong domestic in-migration and a friendly business climate. The other is driven largely by technology and high-end business services clustered around expensive but highly desirable urban areas.

Read the entire piece on Forbes.com.

Photo: Daxis, via Flickr, using CC License.