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
Brief The DC Shared Services Business Alliance
Research suggests many child care providers are dedicated to offering safe, high-quality care but face challenges with the high costs of providing care and low profit margins. To help child care providers address these challenges, some child care providers participate in a Shared Service Business
Several people work on machines in a factory
Despite perceptions that there aren’t enough jobs, data show there are more jobs than workers. Research shows hiring justice-affected people can yield benefits for individuals, employers, and society.
A blonde woman in a colorful jacket paints a multicolored mural on an outside wall.
The Opportunity Zone program was created in 2017 to encourage investment and economic growth in low-income communities. The program became permanent this year, and governors and state chief executives nationwide are beginning to select the next round of Opportunity Zones.
Op-ed What the Numbers Say
Wealth inequality in the United States is not only among the highest in the developed world—it has been climbing for much of the past six decades. Now, as an unprecedented $84 trillion begins flowing from older generations to younger generations, based on projections from the Federal Reserve, new
A grandfather, grandmother, and granddaughter sit on a front porch
Nearly 60 percent of all Black Americans live in the South, and new Urban analysis finds that these families have progressed in employment, entrepreneurship, and homeownership.
An elderly man and woman inspect something off camera, maybe something on a desk, along with a younger woman who appears to be explaining or helping.
This year, as Medicare’s open enrollment season begins, enrollees are faced with new and changing options for health coverage.