New Ulm finalist in “2024 Strongest Town” Competition
Photo of Hermann Monument overlooking valley with sunrise behind

New Ulm wins nomination for the “March Madness of Strongest Town in North America.” Here’s how we can win.

New Ulm will go head-to-head with fifteen other North American cities in the 9th Annual Strongest Town Contest and voting begins Monday, March 4. In this bracket-style voting tournament, New Ulm will compete for the  “Strongest Town” title by shining a national spotlight on its progress toward safety, financial resiliency, housing, and transportation.

Cast your vote for New Ulm starting Monday, March 4, at strongesttown.com.

Competitors will advance over five rounds, based on weekly voting periods. One champion will be honored at the Strong Towns National Gathering, with two representatives flown in and presented with an award. Strong Towns will also create a short documentary film about the winning city.
Here’s how voting works. In the first round, New Ulm will compete with three other cities in a special category, “Striving for Safe Streets.”  Then all cities will advance to Round 2, where they will compete head-to-head and advance weekly based on votes collected during that period:

  • R1: Meet Your Contestants (March 4-8).
  • R2: Sweet Sixteen (March 11-15)
  • R3: Elite Eight (March 18-22).
  • R4: Final Four (April 1-5).
  • R5: Championship (April 8-12).


The Champion will be announced on Monday, April 15. Previous contest winners have adapted their roads to be safer and pedestrian friendly, created public centers where local commerce thrives, and provided access to community services through a strong network of community partnerships. What do all these Strongest Towns have in common? They put people first.

Strong Towns is a 501c(3) nonprofit and media advocacy organization that shifts conversations around the North American development pattern. Through articles, podcasts, videos, live events, and city partnerships, they provide knowledge and tools to help cities transform their streets and communities. This is their 9th annual Strongest Town Contest.


Cast your vote for New Ulm starting Monday, March 4, at strongesttown.com.