A new report by the Milken Institute has revealed that both Fort Worth-Arlington and Lakeland-Winter Haven have risen in the Best-Performing Cities index, showcasing their strong economic performance [f15d1260] [7c8a8357].
Fort Worth-Arlington ranked No. 32 out of 200 large cities on the Milken Institute's Best-Performing Cities list, rising 12 spots from its No. 44 ranking last year [f15d1260]. The region also saw significant improvement in medium-term job growth, moving up to No. 25 from No. 61 in the previous report [f15d1260]. The high-tech sector in Fort Worth-Arlington experienced substantial GDP growth, ranking No. 177 from 2017-2022 and No. 143 from 2021-2022 [f15d1260]. However, the city ranked No. 146 for households with affordable housing and No. 63 for households with broadband internet [f15d1260].
Lakeland-Winter Haven, on the other hand, gained six spots in the Best-Performing Cities index, securing the No. 30 position this year [7c8a8357]. The city showed growth in every category, including job growth and wage growth [7c8a8357]. The tech sector in Polk County, where Lakeland is located, contributed significantly to the city's economic performance, generating $200 million in GDP in 2020 [7c8a8357]. Lakeland-Winter Haven also experienced high-tech GDP growth of 56.9% from 2017-2022 [7c8a8357]. Additionally, the city ranked No. 125 for households with affordable housing and No. 124 for households with broadband internet [7c8a8357].
These new findings highlight the strong economic performance of both Fort Worth-Arlington and Lakeland-Winter Haven, positioning them as attractive cities for individuals seeking job opportunities, wage growth, and technological advancements. Both cities have shown improvement in various categories, reflecting their commitment to economic development and quality of life.