Table of Contents
The US economy is experiencing a disconnect between continued growth and softening inflation, and the pervasive pessimism and uncertainty felt by Americans about the future. Data from the Economic Innovation Group's Distressed Communities Index reveals that local economies across America have not fully recovered from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has exacerbated this trend, leading to major population changes across the country, with large urban counties experiencing losses while exurban and suburban counties continue to grow. This has also highlighted significant wealth disparities among populations, with those who have the financial means moving out of cities and into suburbs, leaving behind lower-income residents in urban areas. The increase in housing demand has exacerbated housing affordability issues, and cities like Fort Worth, Texas, are facing challenges in providing middle-income housing. Oklahoma City is also facing a mixed economic picture, with prosperous communities making up 36.3% of the city and its surrounding areas, while distressed ones account for 26.4%. City officials are focused on addressing inequality and providing more equal opportunity for residents.
