The top ten concerns for U.S. cities according to their mayors, and how NJ performs in every category.
A national review of 100 mayoral State of the City addresses reveals the top issues in urban communities according to the history of their mayoral representatives.
From Fast Company’s National League of Cities’ annual report, the top ten concerns in U.S. cities according to their Mayor’s –
Health Care – # 10 mentioned in 18% of speeches
“I have personally seen the devastation that heroin addiction brings to a family.” — Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
The opioid epidemic is a major health care crisis spread across all cities in the U.S. Every day more than 100 Americans die from drug overdoses. In 2019, an average of 38 people died each day from opioid overdoses, totaling over 14,000 deaths.
Mental Health Services, School-based Mental Health Services
“Fewer than 20% of children who need mental health care actually receive any services, fewer than 50% received the appropriate service relative to the need” – Issues in Clinical Psychology, School-Based Mental Health Services in Urban Communities
Technology – #9 mentioned in 20% of speeches
“We need to focus on new technologies, because the solutions we envision today may be obsolete 10 years from now.” — Nashville Mayor Megan Barry.
In 2021, Forbes identified the top five Emerging Tech cities in the U.S. –
- Tampa,
- Miami,
- New York City,
- Austin,
- San Francisco
Employment in Information/Technology decreased by 0.6% between 2013-2018 in NJ.
NJ GDP saw 1.9% Annualized Growth in Information/Technology Sector between 2013-18.
Demographics, Diversity, and Inclusiveness – #8 mentioned in 22% of speeches
“We are focused on fostering greater diversity and inclusiveness. We know our diversity is one of our great strengths, which is why we have been recognized nationwide as one of the best cities for women, for African Americans, for new Americans and for the LGBT community.” — Columbus, Ohio, Mayor Andrew Ginther.
According to UC Berkeley’s Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI), Hawaii is the most inclusive state in the U.S. while Louisiana ranks last.
- Hawaii,
- Nevada,
- Rhode Island,
- Maryland,
- Washington,
- California,
- Delaware,
- Illinois,
- New York,
- Vermont
New Jersey ranks #21 in Inclusivity, based on an “Inclusivity Index” that factors “a range of social dimensions, including race/ethnicity, religion, disability, and sexual orientation.”
Energy/Environment – #7 mentioned in 28% of speeches
“We’re doing our part here at home to answer our moral obligation and build the clean energy economy that is necessary to cool our planet.” — Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.
According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s 2021 City Clean Energy Scorecard, which analyzed 100 cities across all 50 states, the Most Energy-Efficient Cities in America in 2021 were –
- San Francisco,
- Seattle,
- Washington,
- Minneapolis,
- Boston (tie) w/
- New York (tie)
- Denver,
- Los Angles,
- San Jose, CA,
- Oakland, CA
Newark, New Jersey ranked 73/100 in Energy-Efficiency.
Housing – #6 mentioned in 40% of speeches
“[The city] will work through the Housing Authority and with the private sector to incentivize the creation of more workforce and affordable housing where it’s needed most.” — Charleston, S.C., Mayor John Tecklenburg.
Most Expensive States to live in 2022:
- Hawaii,
- California,
- Massachusetts,
- New Jersey,
- Connecticut
Least Expensive places to live in 2022:
- Mississippi,
- Arkansas,
- Alabama,
- West Virginia,
- Ohio
Education – #5 mentioned in 42% of speeches
“The impact of this skills gap is particularly harsh on low-income communities–especially for our young adults.” — San Diego, Calif., Mayor Kevin Faulconer
According to World Population Review, the States with the best school systems are –
- Massachusetts,
- Connecticut,
- New Jersey,
- Virginia,
- Vermont,
- New Hampshire,
- Minnesota,
- Wisconsin,
- Delaware,
- Maryland
Infrastructure – #4 mentioned in 48% of speeches
“Our Vision Zero Action Plan made 2015 the safest year on New York City roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists—since 1910.” — New York Mayor Bill De Blasio.
New Jersey has among the worst infrastructure in the country.
US News and World Report ranked New Jersey 41st in 2022 for the condition of State infrastructure.
- Nevada is the top state for infrastructure condition, followed by
- Oregon,
- Washington,
- North Dakota,
- Utah
Budgets – #3 mentioned in 52% of speeches
“[This year’s budget] supports our neighborhoods and our young people. We’ll be able to demolish dangerous buildings and invest more in summer youth employment.” — Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James
Fiscal Stability by state, from US News and World Report –
New Jersey is ranked #49, next to the least fiscally stable state in the United States.
- Alaska is the top state for fiscal stability, followed by
- South Dakota,
- Tennessee,
- Idaho,
- Utah
Public Safety – #2 mentioned in 70% of speeches
“[The murder rate], which had dropped significantly in 2013 and 2014 has followed the national trend and is back up again.” — Oklahoma City, Okla., Mayor Mick Cornett (though the city saw its overall crime rate decrease 10% from last year.)
“In fact, children in low-income, urban settings are exposed to violent crime rates that exceed the national average by 4 to 10 times.” – National League of Cities
The safest states, according to US News and World Report rankings are:
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Idaho
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
Economic Development – #1 mentioned in 75% of speeches
“Small, independent businesses from craft brewers to design firms, bakeries, and salons are popping up all along our streets and in our squares. So just like our thriving maker community, we’re working to handcraft our future.” — Somerville, Mass., Mayor Joseph Curtatone
In New Jersey, certain sectors drive more GDP and employ more workers than others. Raw numbers don’t always tell the whole story, so we’ll factor in employment and GDP growth over the past five years and give you a deeper understanding of the economic situation in New Jersey.
Largest GDP growth by sector in New Jersey, between 2013-2018
- Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services (growing 6.5%)
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation (growing 6.4%)
- Transportation and warehousing (growing 5.5%)
- Construction (growing 4.9%)
- Finance and insurance (growing 4.3%)
The largest growth in employment by sector in New Jersey, between 2013-2018
- Transportation and warehousing (growing 10.7%)
- Forestry, fishing, and related activities (growing 3.8%)
- Real estate, rental, and leasing (growing 3.4%)
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation (growing2.9%)
- Utilities (growing 2.3%)
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