New River Valley, VA – The Milken Institute recently released its “2025 Best Performing Cities: Mapping Economic Growth across the US” report, ranking the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford MSA, otherwise known as Virginia’s New River Valley (NRV), among the top 25 best-performing small cities in the U.S. This ranking highlights the NRV’s strong economic performance and growth potential.
The Best Performing Cities (BPC) index evaluated 403 metropolitan areas grouped into Tier 1 or Tier 2 cities. The BPC index focused on 13 key metrics, including job growth, high-tech industry expansion, and access to economic opportunities. These factors help capture trends and shifts in the US economic landscape.
As a Tier 2 community, the NRV has a medium sized growth potential, with a population generally smaller than that of a major metropolitan area but still offers a range of amenities and infrastructure – all at a lower cost of living compared to the larger, Tier 1 cities. This recognition reinforces the region’s status as a great place for businesses, workers, and families looking for opportunities without the high costs of big city living.
Explore the BPC rankings here.
Discover how Virginia’s New River Valley’s eclectic mix of small towns is a natural fit for big opportunities here.
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on accelerating progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, they bring together resources to develop blueprints for tackling some of the most critical global issues.
Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.
