Urban sprawl is still a problem for many areas throughout the US, including Memphis. Smart Growth America ranked the Greater Memphis area as having the sixth worst sprawl on its large metros list with an index score of 70.8. New York City, also predictably, had the least sprawl with the highest index score of 203.4.

So what does living in Memphis mean in relation to urban sprawl? People who live in cities with less sprawl have more economic mobility, are healthier, and live longer, so the need to improve this in Memphis is quite important. Across all 221 metros considered, regardless of size, Memphis came in near the bottom of the list at No. 196. Shelby County also made the list with an index score of 116.7 and DeSoto County with a score of 87.8.