2009 Best-Performing Cities
The 2009 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. The components include job, wage and salary, and technology growth. In most years, these give a good indication of the underlying structural performance of regional economics.
Click on any of the links across the top to re-rank the metros by that category.
MSA = metropolitan statistical area
Footnotes *1 | *2 | *3 | *4 | *5 | *6 | *7 | *8 | *9
Biggest Gainers
Spots Climbed 2009 Rank 2008 Rank Smallest Metros
69
37
106
Topeka, KS MSA
64
17
81
Texarkana, TX-Texarkana, AR MSA
49
23
72
Glens Falls, NY MSA
47
31
78
Alexandria, LA MSA
45
62
107
Lafayette, IN MSA
44
36
80
Bloomington-Normal, IL MSA
43
49
92
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA MSA
42
66
108
Springfield, IL MSA
39
25
64
Ithaca, NY MSA
37
29
66
Rapid City, SD MSA
Biggest Decliners
Spots Declined 2009 Rank 2008 Rank Smallest Metros
-54
113
59
Redding, CA MSA
-49
85
36
Harrisonburg, VA MSA
-48
97
49
Dover, DE MSA
-47
68
21
Winchester, VA-WV MSA
-45
79
34
Anniston-Oxford, AL MSA
-43
106
63
Flagstaff, AZ MSA
-42
94
52
Chico, CA MSA
-41
50
9
Prescott, AZ MSA
-40
72
32
Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, FL MSA
-40
115
75
Janesville, WI MSA
