Main Street Economy Index
Why We Built the Index
Main streets are the economic and social heart of communities across Canada. But while each one is unique, they all face a common challenge: understanding their health and performance in real terms.
The Main Street Economy Index, developed by CUI as part of the Main Street Canada platform, offers a national snapshot of the current health of main streets—from small towns to major cities, across the country.
It’s not a ranking. It’s a tool to highlight strengths, spark action, and support all main streets in moving forward.
What It Shows
The Main Street Economy Index uses three powerful indicators to understand how a main street is performing right now:
- Total Visitors: How many people come to the street—whether they live nearby, work there, or visit from elsewhere. → Why it matters: Strong visitation reflects relevance, accessibility, and community importance.
- Total Business Spend: How much money is being spent across retail, food, and services on the street. → Why it matters: Spending reflects economic performance and local market strength.
- Business Health: A composite risk score that indicates how stable and resilient the businesses are. → Why it matters: Financial health points to sustainability, job retention, and long-term viability.
These three indicators offer a simple but powerful snapshot of how main streets are performing—and where support or investment is most needed and helpful.
Who It’s For
The Main Street Economy Index is a free public resource to support investment, planning, and dialogue around the future of Canada’s main streets.
Coming December 2025
The 2025 Main Street Economy Index will be launched at the State of Canada’s Cities Summit in December 2025.
Contact us to learn more.
📩 Yvonne von Jena, Strategic Partnerships
📧 yvonjena@canurb.org
Canadian Urban Institute | www.canurb.org | #MainStreetCanada
