NEW RIVER VALLEY – The Milken Institute recently released its “2025 Best Performing Cities: Mapping Economic Growth across the US” report, ranking the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford MSA, otherwise known as Virginia’s New River Valley (NRV), among the top 25 best-performing small cities in the U.S.
This ranking highlights the NRV’s strong economic performance and growth potential.
The Best Performing Cities (BPC) index evaluated 403 metropolitan areas grouped into Tier 1 or Tier 2 cities. The BPC index focused on 13 key metrics, including job growth, high-tech industry expansion, and access to economic opportunities. These factors help capture trends and shifts in the US economic landscape.
As a Tier 2 community, the NRV has a medium sized growth potential, with a population generally smaller than that of a major metropolitan area but still offers a range of amenities and infrastructure – all at a lower cost of living compared to the larger, Tier 1 cities. This recognition reinforces the region’s status as a great place for businesses, workers, and families looking for opportunities without the high costs of big city living.
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on accelerating progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, they bring together resources to develop blueprints for tackling some of the most critical global issues.
