DC: America's 2nd City?

While Chicago has been dubbed America's "Second City", a shift in the metropolitan hierarchy may be happening. Having weathered the Great Recession better than other metros, the DC area continues to grow, outpacing many other places in the country. In the last 5 years, "the D.C. region’s economy has expanded 14 percent compared to a mere 3 percent for the rest of the country" (though federal belt-tightening can be harsh and unpredictable). So as the city's clout increases, some are suggesting it will push its much larger rival aside and vie for the spotlight. [NewGeography; NewGeography]