One-fifth of America

Neither fully urban nor completely suburban, America's older, inner-ring, "first" suburbs have a unique set of challenges--such as concentrations of elderly and immigrant populations as well as outmoded housing and commercial building' very different from those of the center city and fast growing newer places. Yet first suburbs exist in a policy blindspot with little in the way of state or federal tools to help them adapt to their new realities and secure a role as competitive and quality communities. This paper defines first suburbs throughout the nation, examines their similarities and differences, and, finally, sets out a policy agenda tailored specifically to these distinctive places.