Oxford Economics, an independent global advisory firm, has identified Jacksonville as one of the top five North American cities to watch in its annual Global Cities Index. The firm’s report places the city at 97th globally among urban areas with populations under four million, an improvement from its 119th position in the prior year. In the broader study covering 1,000 cities, Jacksonville ranks 134th overall.
City officials and business leaders gathered at City Hall on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, to discuss the findings. Mayor Donna Deegan, City Council President Nick Howland, Jacksonville Civic Council President Dennis Whittle, and Jax Chamber President Daniel Davis attended the event. Deegan stated that the city’s improving economic metrics are not a partisan issue.
She noted that the city recently opened the UF Jacksonville campus and was recognized for having the fastest-growing workforce in the country. Deegan added that the investment and growth occurring in Downtown and various neighborhoods are now being recognized internationally.
The index evaluates cities based on economics, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance. Oxford Economics attributes 26% of Jacksonville’s 2025 gross domestic product growth to the technology sector. The report highlights the presence of financial technology firms such as Fidelity National Information Services, Nymbus, and Black Knight, alongside traditional banking institutions including Bank of America, TIAA, Wells Fargo, BBVA, and Truist.
The city’s total GDP is reported at $148 billion, equating to $83,200 per person based on a regional population of 1.8 million.
The firm forecasts a 1% annual population growth rate through 2030, which is nearly four times the national average. Strengths cited in the report include high income per person, manageable rainfall anomalies, and a large GDP size. Conversely, the report identifies higher crime rates, increased housing expenditures, and an older age profile as weaknesses.
