Midsize cities with the most potential to be relevant in 20 years. (state, place)

[bfmx1]

Another update: I'm not going to redefine or try to clear up Midsized or Relevant. Interpret them how you wish.

You can get an idea of what midsized means by the cities in the list, sure many were not included because they dont have a chance.

If I've included these cities it's only because I felt like they have a fighting chance.

I left off some obvious (new orleans, nashville, charleston etc.) which I feel already have a strong significance for whatever reason.

I also left off some large suburbs like Provo UT, Fort Worth, Oakland, etc. that feed directly off other major metros.

Let's not nit pick the OP in understanding EXACTLY what he might have meant. Just chat.

I personally think there's a strong argument for each of these, that's why I included them.

[bfmx1]

I think the ones that shock me the most, but pleasantly so are Colorado Springs and El Paso getting votes. It seems that I'm hearing more and more about corporate power out of El Paso and people flying there for business. This would have shocked me 5 years ago when I thought it was just another desert town struggling to stay on the map.

CO Springs I think could have huge potential given it's geography and given the huge growth of nearby Denver.

Santa Fe, love that place. Not sure if it's poised for explosive growth but it sure is more charming and fun than I gave it credit for a while back when I lived in Birmingham.

[march2]

I'd throw in Greensboro, NC into the mix. Underrated city, IMO.

[_OT]

from the poll...

Richmond
Birmingham
Louisville

[murksiderock]

Originally Posted by JamesJay64

I voted Louisville. Richmond is what came to mind first, but I found my visit there this summer a bit disappointing, especially in terms of nightlife and vibrancy.

Where'd you go and what did you do? Richmond is not wanting for vibrancy and has the most diverse and complete nightlife base of any city in Virginia, with multiple nightlife areas...

[_OT]

In terms of Diverse and Varied nightlife, Richmond and Birmingham are probably the best at it out of the few in this poll, from my experience that is.

[rnc2mbfl]

Since relevancy is going to have a strong dependency on growth rate and size, I've assembled the list and ranks below. Cities are ordered in terms of current MSA annual growth rate since 2010, followed by their 2017 MSA population. I've given each city a ranking for each metric, and objectively, when added together, the lowest number wins.

Colorado Springs 1.59% @724K (1+10 = 11)
OKC 1.38% @1.384M (2+1 = 3)
Greenville 1.16% @896K (3+6 = 9)
Columbia 1.00% @825K (4+9 = 13)
Richmond .95% @1.294M (5+3 = 8)
ElPaso .68% @845K (6+8 = 14)
Louisville .64% @1.294M (7+3 = 10)
Knoxville .64% @877K (8+7 = 15)
Sante Fe .43 @149K (9+11 =20)
Birmingham .26% @1.150M (10+5 = 15)
Memphis .24% @1.348M (11+2 = 13)

Using this methodology alone, and putting metros with higher population over lower ones when there's a tie, here's my list:

1. Oklahoma City
2. Richmond
3. Greenville
4. Louisville
5. Colorado Springs
6. Memphis
7. Columbia
8. El Paso
9. Birmingham
10. Knoxville
11. Sante Fe

[Bellside High]

While CO. Springs metro is certainly growing at a healthy clip, Im not sure it will ever gain much relevancy on the national stage as it will always play second fiddle to nearby Denver. Of those on the poll, i would say Richmond and Louisville, not because of explosive population growth, but because i think Americans are starting to appreciate these historic and charming mid-size cities that seem to be re-branding themselves as an attractive places to live, work and play. The fact that these two cities are even in the conversation about pro-level sports expansion speaks volumes, relative to their size.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Bellside High

While CO. Springs metro is certainly growing at a healthy clip, Im not sure it will ever gain much relevancy on the national stage as it will always play second fiddle to nearby Denver. Of those on the poll, i would say Richmond and Louisville, not because of explosive population growth, but because i think Americans are starting to appreciate these historic and charming mid-size cities that seem to be re-branding themselves as an attractive places to live, work and play. The fact that these two cities are even in the conversation about pro-level sports expansion speaks volumes, relative to their size.

Is that last sentence true? Do you know for which leagues that this is the case?

[mjlo]

Originally Posted by bfmx1

Another update: I'm not going to redefine or try to clear up Midsized or Relevant. Interpret them how you wish.

You can get an idea of what midsized means by the cities in the list, sure many were not included because they dont have a chance.

Yes I can understand how Santa Fe with 83,000 residents and a 3.6% growth rate(not considering the dismal growth rates of Memphis and Bham) would fit this criteria. Where places likes Des Moines, Madison, Grand Rapids, and Omaha which have several more times the people, and 2 to 3 times the growth rate wouldn't stand a chance.

I voted for "other". -Jacksonville.