Updated on August 25, 2022 to reflect an increase in cities from 308 to 566 which includes all U.S. with a 2020 population over 65,000 residents. Also reflects an update that now the data can be filtered by state. The Digital Advancement Municipal Index uses 16 key indicators across four categories to profile U.S. cities’ prosperity in the digital economy. The range of indicators provide a comprehensive view of Digital Advancement in a city and help policymakers and community leaders analyze core social investments and develop interdependent strategies.
Technology | Socioeconomics | Education | Housing |
% of households with wireline broadband subscription at home | % of children with health insurance | % of population that is at least a high school graduate | home price to income ratio |
% of households with only a cellular plan with no other subscription | White-Black residential segregation | % of children ages 16-19 enrolled in school or work | % of housing units that are owner-occupied |
% of households with a desktop or laptop computer | % of population above the poverty line | % of population with a college degree or more | % of housing units that are not vacant |
% of city population using internet at broadband speed | % of population foreign born | % of STEM degrees out of all bachelors | % of occupied rental units that are not "rent burdened" |
The mean for each category score and the total score is 100. As you scroll through the cities on that index, you will notice how the dots (category scores) and black squares (total digital advancement scores) shift from right to left, crossing the 100 mark to indicate if a city is above or below average.
By design, all indicators chosen for the index impact a city’s overall score and none of the indicators are weighted. The mission of the Muni Index is to offer decision-makers a tool that shapes policies with the greatest positive impact for its residents and regional neighbors.
In the top left you can search by city or filter by year (2016-2019), by region (National, South, West, Northeast, Midwest), by state, or by population bracket (65,000+ people). Additionally, you can sort the scores by the total Digital Advancement score or by a city's technology category score.
If you'd like to dig into a city's data metrics, click on the city's name on the index. Alternatively, you can scroll down and search for a city within the 'Compare Cities' section. You can compare up to three cities at once.
Click the 'Show Score Inputs' button at the bottom of each category score to further analyze which metrics are impacting a city's score. If you'd like to download the entire data set, it is available as an .xlsx file upon submitting your email address. A direct link to the data download button is in the main menu under About>Data.
If you have any questions or suggestions, we genuinely welcome all feedback as we continue to develop this tool. Please feel free to contact us via the form at the end of the About page or within the 'Submit Feedback' chat box.
We are actively researching and writing case studies about the index and cities’ digital equity efforts. If you'd like to partner on a case study, an iteration of the index, or any other ideas - we encourage you to reach out. This index was developed with insights and product feedback from stakeholders across the country - we are eager to keep the conversation going.