Resource Library

Want to learn more about upward mobility? Explore Urban research, insights from
communities and organizations across the country using the Upward Mobility Framework, and
tools and guides for those interested in advancing upward mobility and racial equity in
communities.
An illustration depicting a scene with various community members and buildings.

This report describes how Mobility Metrics can be incorporated into community-engagement and participatory quantitative methods, so that mobility teams can collaborate with community members in measuring progress toward achieving upward mobility in their localities.
Sabrina Janelle Gordon/Shutterstock
Illustration by Alysheia ShawDansby
A diverse crowd smiling for a photo at an athletic event.
Skyline view of San Francisco.
Explore data on income, education, and housing in the five largest US cities to learn more about the Upward Mobility Data Dashboard and other tools for understanding and addressing mobility and equity challenges.
photo of different information graphics on table
The Mobility Metrics data are a valuable resource for researchers trying to understand how characteristics of a place either hinder or promote the aspirations of its residents.
People run across a splash pad at LeFrak Center at Lakeside at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York
Third places facilitate social connections that improve a person’s health, sense of belonging, and access to long-term prosperity, but these public spaces are in decline.
Blurred motion of a crowd of busy commuters with protective face mask walking through platforms at subway station
With the COVID-19 pandemic causing so many disruptions to people’s health and well-being, it’s tempting to dismiss data from before and during the pandemic as unrepresentative, but policymakers can still glean insights from data collected during the pandemic and trends.
An illustration depicting a scene with various community members and buildings.
The Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Framework, which provides data and tools for community stakeholders to develop and advance policies and programs that increase upward mobility and racial equity, has adopted the US Partnership’s three-part definition of mobility.
Employee women in teamwork collaboration looking at company data or analysis
Combining actionable metrics with local data and resident insights can help communities understand current conditions, identify priority issue areas, and evaluate the success of their upward mobility efforts.
Street Food Festival
This week, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced substantial new investments to advance economic mobility and opportunity in the United States. The Urban Institute is proud to be among the foundation’s anchor partners, building and sharing knowledge changemakers need to accelerate solutions
Group of people meeting with technology and paperwork.
Urban’s Mobility Metrics can help local policymakers identify barriers to mobility from poverty in their communities and develop solutions.