SHOW / EPISODE

What is the Most “Irrelevant” Big City in the World

14m | Sep 28, 2026

This episode argues that city relevance isn’t determined by population alone but by factors like wealth-generating industries, cultural exports, quality employment and corporate presence, political power, tourist appeal, universities, sports teams, geography, and trade access. After outlining these drivers and noting their connection to economic success, it asks which large city is surprisingly irrelevant despite nearing a million people. It lists honorable mentions including Fresno, Virginia Beach/Newport News, and several international cities often tied to declining industrial importance, then names El Paso, Texas as the least relevant big city of its size, citing limited Fortune 500 presence, pro sports, elite universities, direct flights, distinctive culture or attractions, major political power, and media-market influence. It explains El Paso’s growth mainly through a large nearby Army base and cross-border trade with Juarez, and notes El Paso is unusually safe despite its proximity to a dangerous city.

00:00 What Makes Cities Relevant

00:17 Wealth and Industry Hubs

00:57 Culture and Job Quality

02:10 Power Tourism and Geography

04:17 The Irrelevance Challenge

05:33 Honorable Mentions Worldwide

09:08 Why El Paso Tops List

10:28 El Paso Relevance Breakdown

13:23 How El Paso Got Big

14:30 Final Takeaways




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