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We all know which are the 25 most populous cities, or the 25 most populous metropolitan areas. But which ones would you say loom the largest on the national stage? Some smaller cities have BIG cultural influence (like Las Vegas or New Orleans) and some BIG cities keep a fairly low profile for their size (like Phoenix).
How would you rank the top 25 Most Influential Cities? Of course it's purely subjective. Here's my list:
New York
Washington, D.C.
Los Angeles
Chicago
San Francisco
Boston
Houston
Atlanta
Dallas
Las Vegas
Philadelphia
Seattle
Denver
Miami
Minneapolis
Phoenix
Portland
Detroit
Austin
New Orleans
Nashville
St. Louis
Cleveland
Orlando
Baltimore
By way of commentary:
(1-5) have Significant Global Influence
(6-15) have Significant National Influence
(16-25) have Moderate National Influence
Last edited by rwiksell; 07-11-2014 at 09:12 AM..
Reason: I realized I had named the thread "25" but my list only went up to 20. Fixed.
1. NYC
2. Los Angeles
3. Washington, D.C.
4. San Francisco
5. Chicago
6. Boston
7. Philadelphia
8. Atlanta
9. Houston
10. Miami
10B. Dallas
11. Seattle
12. New Orleans
13. Denver
14. Minneapolis
15. Las Vegas
16. Portland
17. Austin
18. Phoenix
19. Detroit
20. Cleveland
21. Phoenix
22. San Diego
23. St. Louis
24. Cincinnati
25. Baltimore
Last edited by 2e1m5a; 07-11-2014 at 09:12 AM..
Reason: 10B
I had trouble placing San Diego. I know it's a biggish city, and a big tourist draw with a strong military presence. But it doesn't seem to be much else, making it hard for this Midwesterner to infer much influence from it.
I included Orlando because its influence way out-paces the size of the city itself, and it has a global reputation.
I had trouble placing San Diego. I know it's a biggish city, and a big tourist draw with a strong military presence. But it doesn't seem to be much else, making it hard for this Midwesterner to infer much influence from it.
I included Orlando because its influence way out-paces the size of the city itself, and it has a global reputation.
I think your list is pretty solid, and I agree with your assessment of San Diego. However, outside of tourism, what is the influence of Orlando and Las Vegas as well? How are they different? A century ago, you could have said the same thing about Atlantic City and Niagara Falls, both of which aren't even on the nation's consciousness today, much less the world's.
I think your list is pretty solid, and I agree with your assessment of San Diego. However, outside of tourism, what is the influence of Orlando and Las Vegas as well? How are they different? A century ago, you could have said the same thing about Atlantic City and Niagara Falls, both of which aren't even on the nation's consciousness today, much less the world's.
I think San Diego, Las Vegas and Orlando operate in different spheres when it comes to tourism. San Diego seems like just a generic nice-weather beach destination, whereas Las Vegas and Orlando are extremely unique, and known around the world for what they have to offer.
No offense to San Diego or anything. It's just my impression.
Some of you are listing cities just because they're big. Big doesn't always mean influential, particularly on a national level. There are some small towns that are home to very influential organizations that affect the daily lives of Americans, such as Walmart in Bentonville AR.
Some of you are listing cities just because they're big. Big doesn't always mean influential, particularly on a national level. There are some small towns that are home to very influential organizations that affect the daily lives of Americans, such as Walmart in Bentonville AR.
New York City (self explanatory)
Washington (self explanatory)
Los Angeles (self explanatory)
San Francisco (tech, research)
Chicago (finance, industry)
Seattle (tech)
Las Vegas (entertainment)
Boston (education, research)
Atlanta (media, AA culture, CDC)
Houston (energy)
Dallas (energy)
Orlando (entertainment)
Detroit (cars)
Miami (Latino culture)
Nashville (entertainment)
Cincinnati (retail)
Minneapolis (retail, consumer products)
Charlotte (banking)
Bentonville AR (retail)
Pittsburgh (industry)
New Orleans (culinary)
Raleigh (research)
Rochester (research)
Indianapolis (NCAA)
Philadelphia (cable)
This list made my head explode. Seattle & Vegas ahead of Boston, Houston, or Dallas? Philadelphia 25th?!?!
This list made my head explode. Seattle & Vegas ahead of Boston, Houston, or Dallas? Philadelphia 25th?!?!
Philadelphia 25th = a joke
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