Size of A City's Middle Class Predicts Poor's Economic Mobility

Researchers find that among the largest 100 metro regions in the U.S. , those with a larger middle class, provide higher economic mobility.

1 minute read

September 6, 2013, 8:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech

Researchers who worked on a study that some cities seem to create opportunities for upward economic mobility also discovered some interesting correlations. Higher economic mobility was related to the size of the city's middle class.

"Does the middle class get bigger because economic mobility allows previously poor people to join those ranks? Or do poor people have higher economic mobility because a broad middle class drives opportunity for everyone? A large middle class, for instance, might support a stronger school system, which in turn benefits the lower-income students who attend it. This study can't answer this key causal question."

FULL STORY: Why the Size of Your City's Middle Class Matters Even if You're Not In It

Thursday, September 5, 2013 in The Atlantic Cities

Community / Economic Development Social / Demographics United States Economics Economic Mobility Economic Upward Mobility Upward Mobility View More

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