Does historic preservation make sense? Are there economic, as well as cultural and aesthetic, benefits to communities that invest in their historic resources? The answer is yes. A number of states have undertaken studies that quantify the economic impacts of historic preservation.
Property Value Appreication for Historic Districts in Alabama (2002)
The Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation in Colorado (2002)
Two reports are available: a 40-page, full-color, illustrated summary report and a 250-page technical supplement.
Economic Impacts of Historic Preservation in Florida (2003)
Two reports are available: a 34-page, full-color, illustrated summary and a longer technical report.
Contributions of Historic Preservation to the Quality of Life of Floridians (2006)
Profiting From the Past: The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Georgia (1999)
This study may be downloaded for a nominal fee from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
This study may be downloaded for a nominal fee from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Economic Impacts of Historic Preservation in Massachusetts (2002)
Report Card: The Economic Impacts of Historic Preservation in Michigan (2006)
Investing in Michigan's Future: The Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation (2002)
Two reports are available: a 20-page, full-color, illustrated study from 2002 and an 8-page, full-color, illustrated update from 2006. Key chapter/section titles of the original report: "Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings"; "Historic Districts and Property Values"; "Preservation and Michigan Tourism"
Economic Impacts of Historic Preservation in Missouri (2001)
www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/taxcreditimpact.htm
www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/RutgersStudy.pdfTwo reports are available: a 16-page, illustrated summary and a longer technical report.
Partners in Prosperity: The Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation in New Jersey (1998)
Two reports are available: a 20-page, illustrated summary and a longer technical report.
The Impact of Historic Districts on Residential Property Values (2002)
New York: Profiting Through Preservation (2000)
A 28-page, illustrated report.
New York City’s Independent Budget Office also did a comparative study of housing values within certain residential historic districts and in comparable non-designated areas.
Profiting from the Past: The Impact of Historic Preservation on the North Carolina Economy (1998)
This study may be downloaded for a nominal fee from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Rhode Island Historic Preservation Investment Tax Credit (2005)
Economic Effects of Historic Preservation in Rhode Island (1996)
This study may be downloaded for a nominal fee from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Smiling Faces Historic Places: The Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation in South Carolina (2003)
A 15-page, illustrated report.
Historic Preservation at Work for the Texas Economy (1999)
A 22-page illustrated report. For further information on the companion technical study, Economic Impacts of Historic Preservation in Texas, contact the Texas State Historic Preservation Office at: www.thc.state.tx.us.
Prosperity Through Preservation: Virginia's Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program (2008)
Virginia's Economy and Historic Preservation: The Impact of Preservation on Jobs, Business, and Community (1995).
This study may be downloaded for a nominal fee from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in West Virginia (1997)
An executive summary has been posted, and the full 33-page report is available.
In addition to the statewide studies cited above, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has compiled links to additional online studies that address the economic impacts of historic preservation. The links to these studies fall into the following five categories:
- General Studies
- General Community Studies
- Impacts of Historic Designation
- Impacts on Property Values
- Impacts of Preservation Tax Credits
For further reading on the economic impacts of historic preservation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has compiled the "historic preservation economic benefits research reference list" of many publications that are not available electronically. For more information, contact the National Trust's Public Policy Department at policy@nthp.org.
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For corrections or comments on the website please contact Kristen Harbeson at harbeson@sso.org
