State of the City addresses offer mayors the opportunity to tout achievements and lay out a vision for their cities. Mayors can not only recount the past, but chart a data-driven course toward a brighter tomorrow. By using facts and figures, mayors can showcase not just where a city is today, but the potential it holds. It’s their chance to move beyond anecdotes and delve deeper, using data to set clear goals and track progress toward a thriving future for all residents.
But a review conducted by our team at the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University (GovEx) shows that, while mayors reference data in these vision statements, too few are doing real analysis on that data and linking it to policy decisions. This is a missed opportunity.
GovEx researchers analyzed the ways mayors used or referenced data in 2023 State of the City addresses from 32 cities, across the United States.
Our analysis found that mayors used data most often to demonstrate progress on issues like housing, public safety, and economic development. On other key issues, like equity and community engagement, they rarely referenced data. By going beyond reporting data to analyzing and disaggregating it—breaking it down into affected groups—mayors can put the numbers in context, talk about how progress is improving the city, and explain proposed solutions. Some mayors did just that.
Mayor Kimbley Craig of Salinas, California, which received What Works Cities silver certification for its data use, put her city’s progress on public safety in national context, demonstrating how it compared to peer cities: “I want to acknowledge the fantastic work of the Salinas Police Department,” she said in her address. “They have managed to make an arrest or solve 11 out of 13 homicides in 2022; which is an 85% success rate. The national average is around 55[%].”
On the topic of economic development, Mayor James Calhoun of South Bend, Indiana, a participant in Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance, noted that, “In 2022, our revolving loan programs financed 22 businesses with nearly $5.2 million of capital – 55% are minority owned, 36% are women owned.” This kind of data disaggregation shows that a mayor is tuned into how policies are affecting specific populations in their city.
Other mayors introduced comprehensive data strategies, demonstrating a commitment to transparency, responsiveness, and data-driven policymaking.
Little Rock, Arkansas Mayor Frank Scott launched ROCKfolio, a citywide data strategy developed as part of this city’s participation in the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance, during his annual address. ROCKfolio includes a “City Wallet” offering open data on employee salaries and contracts, promoting transparency, and data-driven decision-making. Additionally, Mayor Scott challenged his team to explore using Artificial Intelligence to enhance resident engagement by 2025.
In Montgomery, Alabama, another City Data Alliance participant, Mayor Steven Reed announced a data-driven approach to improve the city. Partnering with our teams, they’re developing a citywide data strategy and are relaunching their open data portal. This will increase accessibility of city information for residents, businesses, and stakeholders, fostering transparency, citizen engagement and data-informed decision-making.
The report also identified standout cities who used data the most in their addresses, notably South Bend, Detroit, Syracuse, and Baltimore.
The power of data doesn’t stop with the mayor’s office. Residents, when presented with the data points in the State of the City address, can also become active participants in shaping their communities. By analyzing trends, identifying areas of concern, and comparing their own experiences to the data, residents can hold their leaders accountable and advocate for the policies that matter most to them. This transparency fosters a collaborative environment where data becomes a bridge between citizens and their elected officials, paving the way for a more informed and engaged citizenry.
By leveraging data, mayors can transform them into action plans for the future. This data-driven storytelling empowers residents with clear information and sets priorities for progress, fostering an active partnership between elected officials and community. Transparency builds trust and accountability, paving the way, year to year, for stronger, healthier, and more collaborative cities.
