NUREC Launches Urban Data Hub to Strengthen Extension’s Reach in Metropolitan Communities

May 5, 2026

Today, the National Urban Research and Extension Center (NUREC) launched the Urban Data Hub—a powerful, free resource designed to help Extension professionals, researchers, and campus leaders better understand, serve, and invest in urban communities.

The Urban Data Hub brings together a Thriving Communities reporting tool and access to more than 30,000 mappable data layers spanning metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), USDA Rural‑Urban Continuum Codes (RUCCs), and counties in NUREC member states. Together, these tools support data‑informed planning, community engagement, and applied research—and offer a compelling model for institutions looking to deepen their urban impact.

Developed in collaboration with the University of Missouri Extension Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES), the Hub features:

• Thriving Communities Reports with data on 35 community well‑being indicators, enabling consistent, place‑based analysis across urban regions
• Access to the CARES Map Room, offering interactive exploration of 30,000+ datasets from 120+ national sources, including demographic, economic, health, environmental, and green infrastructure data
• Enhanced NUREC member state pages, with interactive maps and tailored metropolitan population profiles to support local Extension strategy and messaging
• A member support page with tutorials for using the Urban Data Hub’s features

In this initial phase, the Urban Data Hub is designed to help Extension teams:

• Build a stronger shared understanding of urban communities
• Identify needs, assets, and opportunities to guide program development
• Support applied research and evaluation efforts
• Spark data‑informed conversations with community partners and campus leadership

“Urban Extension work depends on shared, credible data and tools that make collaboration easier,” said Chris Barnett, Director of CARES. “Developing NUREC’s urban hub allows us to extend decades of visualization expertise to our fellow NUREC member states, in service of a truly urban, community-centered approach.“

All components of the Urban Data Hub—including the Thriving Communities tools and CARES Map Room—are free and publicly accessible through the NUREC members website.

For current NUREC members, the Hub strengthens the collective capacity of the NUREC network. For institutions not yet involved, it illustrates the value of joining a national partnership focused on advancing Extension’s role in metropolitan regions—where most Americans live, work, and learn.

Explore Urban Data Hub Features: https://nurec.extension.org/membership/current-members/

Learn more about University of Missouri Extension’s Center for Applied Research and Engagement (CARES): https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/cares