Urban across the Country

Urban’s researchers partner with state and local leaders to provide the evidence, tools, and support they need to improve lives and strengthen communities. This work includes strategic advising to translate research into action, program evaluations to measure effectiveness, and research and data analysis to inform decisionmaking. Our experts develop custom data tools and modeling to support equitable resource allocation and lead community-engaged research and convenings to ensure policies reflect local priorities.

Use this page to explore Urban’s work. Search by region to see examples of our research, and filter by evidence and products to narrow results by topic or type of work.

Dive deeper into your state and community with our data tools. View highlighted tools below, select “Data tools” under “Filter by Product Types,” or head directly to our data tools page.

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State and community data tools
Explore our work by state
Three children stand at a school window looking outside at a playground
At a time when states have a growing role in meeting their residents’ needs, Maryland’s ENOUGH initiative offers a model for measuring progress.
Photo of a father helping his daughter put on her shoes before school.
We offer four ways federal, state, and local policymakers can better implement the Family Unification Program and provide more children the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable environment.
A volunteer hands out food at a food bank.
Residents are grappling with increasing costs of living and income losses from federal workforce reductions. Cuts to nonprofits’ funding this year could make it harder for communities to access needed supports.
A man wearing safety glasses and a blue uniform works in a factory
Evidence shows incarcerated worker co-ops build skills, develop social capital and assets, lower recidivism rates, and generate long-term, community-wide benefits.