Housing in the Evolving American Suburb

Suburban housing markets across the United States are evolving rapidly and overall remain well-positioned to maintain their relevance for the foreseeable future as preferred places to live and work, even as many urban cores and downtown neighborhoods continue to attract new residents and businesses. Suburban housing dynamics increasingly reflect some of the most profound issues shaping our society, including aging, immigration, economic mobility, and evolving consumer preferences. As a result, suburbs will generate substantial residential development and redevelopment opportunities— and challenges—in the years ahead. This title describes different kinds of suburbs based on the key factors that define and determine their housing markets. The report classifies and compares suburbs in the 50 largest metro areas in the U.S. and assesses the key issues that will shape suburban residential demand and development in the future. Suburban housing markets across the United States are evolving rapidly and overall remain well-positioned to maintain their relevance for the foreseeable future as preferred places to live and work, even as many urban cores and downtown neighborhoods continue to attract new residents and businesses. Suburban housing dynamics increasingly reflect some of the most profound issues shaping our society, including aging, immigration, economic mobility, and evolving consumer preferences. As a result, suburbs will generate substantial residential development and redevelopment opportunities— and challenges—in the years ahead. Housing in the Evolving American Suburb describes different kinds of suburbs based on the key factors that define and determine their housing markets. The report classifies and compares suburbs in the 50 largest metro areas in the U.S. and assesses the key issues that will shape suburban residential demand and development in the future.

Stockton Williams is Executive Director of the ULI Terwilliger Center for Housing. Mr. Williams leads the strategic direction of the Center and the design and implementation of its initiatives, which span a broad range of housing issues, including affordable/workforce, senior, and market-rate housing. He is most recently the author of the ULI publication Preserving Multifamily Workforce and Affordable Housing: New Approaches for Investing in a Vital National Asset and co-author of The Economics of Inclusionary Development.