Factors Contributing to Frequency of Municipal Annexation among Medium-sized Southern U.S. Cities

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this explanatory study is to evaluate factors that contribute to the frequency of municipal annexation among select southern U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 50,000. The research method is analysis of aggregated data in order to explain factors contributing to the frequency of municipal annexation. Data on 160 cities from select southern U.S. states were compiled to understand the effect, if any, that form of government, age of municipality, demographic disparities between city and county, competition, and statutory annexation authority have on frequency of municipal annexation. Overall findings suggest that three of the five factors do not significantly contribute to the frequency of municipal annexation. However, competition and statutory annexation authority are found to be related to frequency of annexation. In particular, the effect of statutory authority on frequency of annexation is opposite of the expected effect.