Urban Studies and Planning Commons^™

Demographic Trends Of Walkable Cities In The United States, Christine Leonhardt

Sigma Xi Student Research Symposium

Walkable cities have become attractive places to live in recent years as they benefit resident’s well-being. Walkable cities have a positive correlation with a population that is young, educated, safe, and healthy. In cities with high-walkability, residents are encouraged to walk more, rather than use a car for each outing, which counters obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, a grim atmosphere, and unsafe surroundings. Most research on walkability and demographics is limited to case studies comparing city neighborhoods, whereas this research encompasses 108 United States cities with a population over 200,000 people. This research goes beyond a city’s walk score, established …