Gainesville-Hall County Metro, Georgia is the best performing small metropolitan area, according to the 2025 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities (BPC) report and tops the index after being featured among the BPC’s top 10 small metropolitan areas every year since 2016. Raleigh, NC tops the index in large metropolitans.  Gainesville-Hall County and Raleigh’s rankings were fostered by strong job and wage growth and a robust high-tech presence.

“We are grateful to be in the conversation of top performing Metro’s in the Nation, and this year’s #1 ranking affirms our long-term efforts to invest in infrastructure, support workforce development and maintain a business-friendly environment,” said Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Chairman Glennis Barnes of Georgia Power.  “Working together, we can achieve consistent economic development success that has made the Gainesville-Hall County Metro Area a top performer for quality jobs, technology investment and small business growth.”

The index, published annually since 1999, reflects cities’ effectiveness at leveraging their resources to promote economic growth and provide their residents with access to the essential services and infrastructure needed for success. The index is based on job creation, wage growth, and the high-tech sector’s output growth, in addition to measures of access to economic opportunities, such as housing affordability and broadband coverage.

“Raleigh and Gainesville-Hall County have both experienced remarkable employment and wage growth, coupled with robust performance in their access to economic opportunities indicators. These metro areas prove that strong economic performance is possible in an environment that provides residents with the opportunities necessary to thrive,” said Maggie Switek, PhD, senior director of research at the Milken Institute.

Gainesville, a long-time contender for the top spot, tops the list of small cities for the first time. The metro’s top position is due to its strong performance across all components of the index, signaling that growth has been sustainable and inclusive.

“It’s an incredible honor and privilege to have the Milken Institute select Gainesville-Hall County as the best-performing small metropolitan area in the United States,” said Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon. “It’s recognitions such as these that reaffirm the city’s meticulous actions and make every difficult decision made on behalf of the taxpayers worthwhile while also helping us identify areas of improvement. I think I speak on behalf of the Gainesville City Council, city management, and staff when I say this distinction will further motivate us to keep these trends, and this community, moving forward.”

The index measures economic vitality in 200 large metropolitan areas and 203 small metropolitan areas by assessing performance of the labor market, tech sector, and access to economic opportunities. The 2025 version of the index emphasizes jobs, wages, high-tech growth, housing affordability, and broadband coverage, in addition to metrics of community resilience and income inequality.