Can Anything Stop Rural Decline?
Small towns across Japan are on the verge of collapse. Whether they can do so gracefully has consequences for societies around the globe.
Which States Are Stingiest With Government Benefits?
Research suggests that states with homogenous populations are more willing to spend on the safety net than those with higher shares of minorities.
The Vicious Cycle of the Retail Meltdown
As brick-and-mortar stores close, local governments in struggling regions lose much-needed tax revenues.
The Lonely Women of the Rust Belt
The disappearance of manufacturing and the rise of opioid abuse has hit men in the Rust Belt hard. That’s meant women are left to pick up the pieces.
Where Automation Poses the Biggest Threat to American Jobs
No, it’s not in the Rust Belt.
Why It's So Hard to Get Ahead in the South
Compared to kids elsewhere in the country, poor children in Charlotte and other Southern cities have the lowest odds of making it to the top income bracket. Why?
Is Economic Despair What's Killing Middle-Aged White Americans?
Two Princeton economists elaborate on their work exploring rising mortality rates among certain demographics.
When Factory Jobs Vanish, Men Become Less Desirable Partners
Declines in manufacturing employment are shaping the structure of the American family.
How Charlotte's Nasty Early 1900s Politics Paved the Way for a Century of Segregation
During the late 19th century, blacks and whites in the South lived closer together than they do today.
How Norwegians and Americans See Inequality Differently
According to a recent study, the former are much less comfortable with luck determining well-being.
What RVs Say About the American Economy
Sales of mobile homes are a good data point for inferring the mood of consumers.
The End of Public Transit?
Start-ups are proving more efficient than government in areas like transportation. Should some services be privatized?
An Unsteady Future for New England's Suburbs
As people move to warmer climates and cities, small towns throughout the region are weathering decline.
The Racist History of Portland, the Whitest City in America
It’s known as a modern-day hub of progressivism, but its past is one of exclusion.
Segregation Holds On in the Twin Cities
Once known for their inclusiveness, Minneapolis and St. Paul have become more divided in recent decades.
The Near Impossibility of Moving Up After Welfare
In the wake of welfare reform, unemployed people are pushed to quickly find work, any work. But too often those jobs lead nowhere.
The Uncertain Future of a Middle-Class Stronghold
As incomes fall across the nation, even better-off areas like Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, are faltering.
No Driver's License, No Job?
Conservative policymakers urge those in need to get work. But for those without driver’s licenses—who are by and large people of color—that’s not such an easy task.
The Graying of Rural America
As young people increasingly move to cities, what happens to the people and places they leave behind?
The Artist Loft: Affordable Housing for White People?
Does this type of tax-subsidized apartment perpetuate segregation?
Can Portland Avoid Repeating San Francisco's Mistakes?
The city is facing a housing crisis, but despite its progressive reputation, it’s done little to ensure affordability for longtime residents.
