AKRON, Ohio — Akron is one of 20 finalists across the country for the 2025 All-American City Award.

The finalists were announced by the National Civic League on Wednesday. Finalists include communities that have civic engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness and innovation to address local issues.

Finalists will compete in the All-America City Award Event in Denver on June 27-29, to become one of the 10 communities who will receive the award.

“We’re excited to once again compete for the All-America City award,” said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. “Akron has won the award three times previously in 1981, 1995, and 2008. Since 2025 marks Akron’s Bicentennial year, we felt it was a fitting time to compete for the honor again, marking Akron’s place amongst our peers as a forward-looking, engaged, and innovative community.”

For more than 75 years, the National Civic League’s All-America City Award has highlighted cities across the country who strive for meaningful change. The theme for this year's award is Strengthening Environmental Sustainability through Inclusive Community Engagement.

“Communities thrive when all residents are active and engaged in the policies and decisions that shape their lives,” said Doug Linkhart, President of the National Civic League. “These finalists are breaking down barriers to meaningful participation and enacting programs that are creating sustainable and resilient communities.”c

Akron joins 19 other cities, coming from 12 states and include:

  • Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Austin, Texas
  • Carrboro, North Carolina 
  • Chelsea, Massachusetts
  • Delray Beach, Florida
  • Denver, Colorado
  • Fort Collins, Colorado
  • Hampton, Virginia
  • Jacksonville, North Carolina
  • Kinston, North Carolina
  • Leominster, Massachusetts
  • Memphis, Tennessee
  • Petaluma, California
  • Port St. Lucie, Florida
  • Seattle, Washington
  • Snyder, Texas
  • Statesboro, Georgia
  • Tallahassee, Florida
  • Western Riverside Region, California

Finalists were chosen through a review process led by an independent panel of experts that reviewed applications who evaluated cities based on: shared vision, civic engagement, inclusiveness an equity, collaboration, innovation and impact.