Cities made a bet on millennials — but forgot one key thing

Millennials moved to cities in droves during the 2000s and 2010s, drawn by the restaurants, the nightlife, and the high-paying jobs. Urban planners and local leaders celebrated, embracing what became known as the “creative class” theory — the idea that attracting educated, creative workers would drive cities’ economic growth.

Real estate developers built accordingly, constructing apartment buildings filled with studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms designed for singles, roommates, and childless couples. Young professionals could afford the rent, and investors got steady returns. Building larger apartments for families felt risky when the smaller units were working so well. As for single-family homes or townhouses, the types of housing that families with children typically seek out — well, cities weren’t building those either.

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