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Sister Cities International has grown immensely in the past 50 years
and will continue to grow in the future!
and will continue to grow in the future!
Here are some interesting statistics about Sister Cities International:
- Represents communities in all 50 states in the United States and the District of Columbia and five United States territories.
- Represents communities in Africa, Latin America, Asia/Oceania, the Caribbean, Eurasia, Europe, the Middle East and Canada.
- Represents 694 communities in the United States with 1,992 partnerships.
- Represents 1,749 international communities in 134 countries.
- Among U.S. states, California has the most sister city programs with 122 communities and 388 partnerships.
- Among communities abroad, Japan has the most sister city programs with 228 communities and 239 partnerships.
- The U.S. community with the most relationships is a tie between Chicago, IL and Oakland, CA, with 25 sister cities each.
- The smallest U.S. community ever recognized by Sister Cities International is Gilbert, Arkansas, with a population of 33. Gilbert paired as a sister city with Bride on the Isle of Man in 2005.
- Europe has 35.5% of all sister city relationships with the United States.
A membership survey that was distributed in 2005 revealed
many interesting facts about our members.
many interesting facts about our members.
Highlights of the membership survey are:
- Sister city programs happen in small towns, big cities, and all sizes in between. Sister city programs vary in population size.
- We are a grassroots and autonomous movement, with control of sister city relationships resting at the local level. Most sister city programs are organized with a formally incorporated nonprofit citizens organization.
- Sister city relationships are building economic ties for communities. Seventy per cent of the membership surveyed estimated that their sister city program helped "generate tourism and trade for economic development to a great extent" in their community.
- More than one-third of the sister city organizations surveyed receive funding from local government to help their sister city program.
- According to our members, the top ten most important membership services provided by Sister Cities International are:
- Website (www.sister-cities.org)
- Sister Cities International administered grants
- Annual Conference
- Informational and "How to" guides
- Customer services (e-mail or phone consultation)
- Quarterly Newsletters
- Assistance with finding a sister city
- e-newsletter
- Toolkits and Guides (on website)
- Traveler's health insurance
For more information on Sister Cities International, visit our online Press Room, our About Us page, call us at 202.347.8630, or email us at info@sister-cities.org.