Local governments have evolved over the last century to serve their communities and respond to the needs of their residents. As part of its centennial celebration, the National League of Cities (NLC) researched and collated the history of municipal government in the United States with a focus on governance, workforce finance and the power of local authority.
The four-part series explores population shifts, the types of government that dominate local governing bodies, expansion of the municipal workforce as well as municipal finance and infrastructure and the history of home rule.
Here are a few of the key findings from the briefs:
- NLC research shows that over the last century, America’s population has shifted with more than 90 percent of population growth occurring in urban areas.
- The nature of services that municipal governments provide has evolved over time to be responsive to residents’ needs.
- Municipal budgets over the last 100 years have expanded both revenues and expenditures using a number of strategies, including diversifying their tax base and generating fees for example.
As local governments assumed a great role in local governance, they gained varying levels of authority leading to a diverse landscape of governance structures between and within states.
“The National League of Cities 100th anniversary marked a milestone for our organization and the history of municipal government,” said National League of Cities CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony. “For the last century, local government has been an instrument for growth, national collaboration and partnerships. As America changed, so did local governments, remaining resilient and responsive to their residents’ needs and the changing landscape. The centennial brief collection chronicles that rich history and showcases why local governments remain an important part of our nation’s history.”
To download and read the brief series, visit the NLC Resource Library.