The primary objective of this study is to quantitatively assess the urban quality of life (QOL) and to analyze the variations in the QOL components in the 243 SMSA's in the U.S. This study develops a systematic methodology for constructing economic, political environmental, health and education, and social indicators to reflect the overall 'health' of the nation and its citizens' well-being. These five QOL components consist of some 123 factors which were selected to reflect the essential physical inputs in the QOL. Primary and secondary statistical data for 1970 were collected, reorganized and modified to represent the 123 QOL factor inputs employed in the methodology to derive the QOL component indexes. For analytical purposes, the 243 SMSA's were divided into three population groups--65 large SMSA's (with populations larger than 500,000); 83 medium SMSA's (200,000 to 500,000); and 95 small SMSA's (less than 200,000). The SMSA's in each population group were rated outstanding (A), excellent (B), good (C), adequate (D), or substandard (E) separately for each component on the basis of their QOL index values relative to the respective group means. A static, descriptive analysis of the empirical results was performed, and important findings and relevant policy implications were delineated.

"May 7, 1975." In scope of the U.S. Government Publishing Office Cataloging and Indexing Program (C&I) and Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). Includes bibliographical references (pages 292-306) and index. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Digital reproduction of print resource (EPA, viewed Nov. 21, 2023); title from title page.