The 5 Essential Reasons City & Community Journal Is Dominating Urban Sociology Research In 2025
The City & Community Journal (C&C) stands today, in December 2025, as one of the most authoritative and influential peer-reviewed academic publications in the field of urban sociology and community studies. Published quarterly by SAGE Publishing on behalf of the American Sociological Association’s (ASA) Community and Urban Sociology Section (CUSS), C&C is not merely a platform for academic papers; it is a critical barometer for the most pressing contemporary urban issues, from the nuances of gentrification to the complex dynamics of urban political economy. Its continued focus on bridging theoretical advancements with rigorous empirical research makes it an indispensable resource for scholars, policymakers, and urban practitioners worldwide.
The journal’s current standing is a testament to its commitment to high-quality, cutting-edge research. With an impressive 2024 Impact Factor and a highly selective acceptance rate, C&C is actively shaping the discourse on urban life, social transformation, and the meaning of place in an increasingly globalized world.
City & Community Journal: Core Profile and Editorial Leadership
The journal was established in 2002 and quickly rose to prominence by focusing on the interface between global and local issues, specifically examining locally embedded social processes.
- Journal Name: City & Community (C&C)
- Publisher: SAGE Publishing
- Affiliating Body: Community and Urban Sociology Section (CUSS) of the American Sociological Association (ASA)
- Frequency: Quarterly
- Current Editor (2021-Present): Richard E. Ocejo, CUNY-Graduate Center and John Jay College
- Founding Editor: Anthony Orum (Established 2002)
- ISSN: 1535-6841 (Print) / 1540-6040 (Online)
- Focus: Advancement of Urban Sociological Theory, Empirical Research on Community Life, Urban Culture, and Urban Political Economy.
- Journal Impact Factor (2024): Approximately 3.000 (Based on Web of Science data).
- SJR Ranking: Q2 (SCImago Journal Rank).
- Acceptance Rate (2024): 5.1%.
Under the leadership of Editor Richard E. Ocejo, C&C has maintained its rigorous standards, evidenced by its highly competitive acceptance rate. This selectivity ensures that only the most methodologically sound and theoretically significant contributions are published, solidifying its reputation as a top-tier journal for urban sociological theory and community development research.
The Evolving Scope: Key Themes Dominating C&C in 2024 and 2025
The research published in City & Community Journal reflects the most pressing contemporary urban issues, moving beyond traditional urban studies to encompass complex, interdisciplinary challenges. The journal's scope is deliberately broad, covering everything from micro-level urban ethnography to macro-level analyses of global urban systems.
1. New Frontiers in Urban Political Economy
A significant portion of recent research focuses on the sociological approaches to urban political economy. This includes critical analyses of how economic growth and social inequality intersect within metropolitan areas. Articles frequently explore the role of local governance, global capital flows, and policy decisions in shaping urban spatial arrangements. The ongoing debate surrounding housing policy, particularly in the context of persistent affordability crises and suburbanization patterns, remains a central theme.
2. The Complexities of Gentrification and Social Transformation
Gentrification is consistently featured, but the focus has shifted from merely documenting the process to understanding its long-term social transformation effects on community life. Recent studies have looked into "socio-environmental development," examining how local developers leverage a city's unique characteristics—like the example of Geneva, New York—to drive development, often with profound consequences for existing community structures and social fabric. This research also ties into broader discussions of social justice and displacement.
3. Culture, Identity, and the Meaning of Place
C&C is a leading venue for scholarship on urban culture and the sociological concept of the "meaning of place." These articles often employ rich qualitative research, such as urban ethnography, to explore how residents form identities within their neighborhoods. Topics range from the cultural politics of public spaces to the role of local institutions in fostering or fragmenting community cohesion. The journal particularly encourages submissions that challenge conventional understandings of community, including studies on non-traditional communities and virtual urban spaces.
4. Intersectional Urbanism: Gender and Race in the City
Reflecting a broader trend in the social sciences, the journal increasingly publishes research that applies an intersectional lens to urban studies. Articles on Gender Studies and race explore how social inequalities are spatially organized and experienced differently based on intersecting identities. This includes research on labor markets, access to resources, and the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups in urban environments. The emphasis here is on advancing urban sociological theory by making it more inclusive and representative of diverse urban experiences.
Why City & Community Journal is a Must-Read for Topical Authority
For anyone seeking to establish topical authority in urban studies, community development, or urban planning, C&C is an essential resource. The journal's high standards and focus on empirical rigor ensure that its published work is immediately relevant and influential. The low acceptance rate of 5.1% in 2024 highlights the intense peer-review process, guaranteeing that every article represents a significant contribution to the field.
The journal serves as a crucial bridge between theoretical debate and practical application. By featuring research that tackles issues like housing policy, metropolitan area studies, and the effects of global forces on local life, C&C provides the foundational knowledge necessary for informed policymaking and effective community intervention. Its affiliation with the ASA’s CUSS section ensures that the journal remains at the heart of the sociological profession, driving the future of urban sociological theory.
The journal also plays a vital role in supporting the next generation of researchers. By providing a high-visibility platform for both established and junior scholars, C&C fosters a dynamic environment for intellectual exchange. The research methodologies showcased—ranging from advanced quantitative methods to in-depth qualitative research—set the standard for empirical excellence in the discipline, making it an invaluable learning tool for graduate students and emerging academics.
In conclusion, the City & Community Journal continues to define the cutting edge of urban sociology. Its 2025 profile, marked by a strong Impact Factor, selective publishing, and a focus on urgent themes like political economy and social transformation, confirms its status as an elite publication. For scholars and professionals invested in understanding the complexities of the modern city, C&C is the definitive source for authoritative and current research.
Relevant Entities and Key Concepts for Topical Authority:
- American Sociological Association (ASA)
- Community and Urban Sociology Section (CUSS)
- SAGE Publishing
- Richard E. Ocejo (Journal Editor)
- Urban Sociological Theory
- Urban Political Economy
- Community Development Research
- Gentrification Studies
- Social Transformation
- Meaning of Place
- Journal Impact Factor (3.000)
- Q2 Journal Ranking
- Peer-Reviewed Academic Journal
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Urban Ethnography
- Urban Spatial Arrangements
- Metropolitan Area Studies
- Social Inequality
- Housing Policy
- Suburbanization Patterns
- Economic Growth
- Gender Studies in Urban Contexts
- Socio-environmental Development
- Local Governance
- Contemporary Urban Issues
- Global and Local Issues Interface
- Junior Scholars Panel Series
- Acceptance Rate (5.1%)
- Sociological Profession
- Public Sociology
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