Jacksonville Named One of North America’s Top Five Cities to Watch by Oxford Economics

Oxford Economics today named Jacksonville one of five North American metro areas highlighted as a top “City to Watch” in its 2026 Global Cities Index report — alongside Boise, Durham, San Antonio, and Edmonton — putting an international spotlight on the city’s momentum.

Rather than a strict numerical ranking, the “Cities to Watch” designation is a curated list: Oxford Economics selected these five metros because they have defied recent global economic headwinds to post strong productivity gains and diverse employment growth, often while being overlooked because they are not traditional “gateway” cities.

The Civic Council recently identified the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index as a valuable series of metrics to help the community align around a shared goal for progress for local institutions, such as government, businesses, philanthropy, and nonprofits.

City leaders celebrated the “Cities to Watch” recognition as an important milestone in Jacksonville’s pursuit of becoming a world-class city. This past year, city leaders set the goal of Jacksonville becoming a Top 50 Global City for cities with a population of 4 million and below. This 2026 index ranks Jacksonville 97th in the world according to that metric, an improvement from 119th in the world in 2025.

“Just last week, we opened the UF Jacksonville campus, and we were recognized for having the fastest growing workforce in the country,” said Mayor Donna Deegan. “We already know what’s happening in this city — the investment, the growth, the opportunity we’re building in downtown and every neighborhood. It’s wonderful to see the rest of the world beginning to recognize it too.”

The Oxford Global Cities Index evaluates 1,000 of the world’s largest cities across five categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment, and Governance. Drawing on Oxford’s economic forecasts and publicly available datasets, the Index looks beyond economic performance to assess the broader conditions that shape a city’s success and residents’ lives.

“Our ambition is to become a world-class city — not a copy of somewhere else, but the strongest possible version of Jacksonville,” said Dennis Whittle, CEO and President of the Jacksonville Civic Council. “This is a milestone worth celebrating. The next step is to turn this momentum into measurable progress: parks that serve every neighborhood, early childhood education that prepares children to succeed, and pathways to good careers. This recognition should raise our expectations for what we can accomplish together.”

The report forecasts above-average job growth for Jacksonville in the years ahead, including continued gains in technology and healthcare employment, with tech GDP and productivity growth expected to outpace the national average.

“Jacksonville is a manufacturing and logistics town that cares deeply about its First Responders, Service Members, and Veterans,” said City Council President Nick Howland. “That’s a world-class combination — and one very deserving of this recognition. We will keep investing in the infrastructure, jobs, and opportunities that make Jacksonville the top city in the Southeast for companies to grow and families to live, work, and thrive.”

Oxford Economics pointed to Jacksonville’s diversifying economy, anchored by finance, technology, fintech, and professional business services, as a key driver of its rise in the rankings. Technology alone contributed 26 percent of Jacksonville’s total GDP growth in 2025, according to the report, helping push the city’s GDP-per-job into the top 20 among U.S. metros. Oxford Economics also cited recent investment activity, alongside the city’s beaches, wildlife preserves, and water sports as part of its broader appeal.

“For entrepreneurs and businesses looking to grow, this recognition is another reason to take a serious look at Jacksonville,” said Daniel Davis, President and CEO of JAX Chamber. “We’ve been focused on growing these key industries for years, and that work is paying off. Now we have to turn that momentum into more jobs, more investment, and more opportunities for our region.”

Graphic 1: Cities to Watch

2026 Oxford Economics Global Cities Index: Cities to Watch
Emerging Stars of the Global Economy

Jacksonville is one of five North American cities identified by Oxford Economics as a City to Watch. The five cities are:

• Jacksonville, Florida
• Edmonton, Alberta
• Boise, Idaho
• San Antonio, Texas
• Durham, North Carolina

Oxford Economics Evaluation Pillars

The Global Cities Index evaluates cities using the following pillars:

• Economics
• Environment
• Quality of Life
• Human Capital

Learn more at Jacksonville.gov/citiestowatch.

Participating organizations shown on the graphic: City of Jacksonville, JAX Chamber, State of Jax, Jacksonville Civic Council and Oxford Economics.

Graphic 2: Jacksonville — Goal: Top 50 Global City

Jacksonville, United States

Progress is measured among cities with fewer than 4 million people.

Progress toward the goal

• Baseline: 119th
• 2026: Top 5 City to Watch
• 2026 Today: 97th
• 2032 Goal: Top 50

Jacksonville Growth Statistics

• 1% population growth per year through 2030, nearly four times the U.S. average.
• 26% of Jacksonville’s 2025 GDP growth came from the tech sector.
• 2.9% per year forecast growth in income and consumer spending, above the U.S. average.
• Jacksonville ranks in the Top 20 U.S. metros for GDP per job.

Top Industries

• Finance & Fintech
• Military & Defense
• Healthcare

Learn more at Jacksonville.gov/citiestowatch.

Participating organizations shown on the graphic: City of Jacksonville, JAX Chamber, State of Jax, Jacksonville Civic Council and Oxford Economics.

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