The very nature of the Coast Guard's mission creates a need for understanding between the Coast Guard and the local community. Coast Guard commands everywhere are urged to develop the kinds of relationships that enable unit commanders to sense public attitudes and interests.
Making Coast Guard servicemembers and their families feel comfortable in their home away from home is an invaluable contribution to morale and service excellence. Many cities have taken strides to acknowledge the contributions and services provided by Coast Guard men and women assigned to their cities. The Coast Guard has in turn recognized these cities as official "Coast Guard Cities" – to show their appreciation for the city's efforts to extend so many considerations to the Coast Guard family and their dependents.
To date, sixteen cities have been designated by Congress as Coast Guard Cities:
| City | Designation Date | Website |
| Grand Haven, MI | November 13, 1998 | www.grandhaven.org |
| Eureka , CA | June 3, 2000 | www.eurekachamber.com |
| Mobile , AL | July 4, 2002 | www.cityofmobile.org |
| Wilmington , NC | July 25, 2003 | www.ci.wilmington.nc.us |
| Newport , OR | March 28, 2005 | www.thecityofnewport.net |
| Alameda, CA | April 14, 2006 | www.ci.alameda.ca.us |
| Kodiak, AK | September 15, 2007 | www.kodiak.org |
| Rockland, ME | June 16, 2008 | www.ci.rockland.me.us |
| Portsmouth, VA | November 17, 2009 | www.portsmouthva.gov |
| Traverse City, MI | April 7, 2010 | www.ci.traverse-city.mi.us |
| Astoria, OR | May 1, 2010 | www.astoria.or.us |
| Sitka, AK | February 14, 2011 | www.cityofsitka.com |
| Clearwater, FL | December 23, 2011 | www.myclearwater.com |
| Newburyport, MA | December 23, 2011 | www.cityofnewburyport.com |
| Sturgeon Bay, WI | January 23, 2014 | www.sturgeonbaywi.org |
| Camden County, GA | January 23, 2014 | http://www.co.camden.ga.us |
| Cape May, NJ | May 8, 2015 | www.capemay.com |
| Elizabeth City, NC | May 29, 2015 | www.cityofec.com |
| New London, CT | May 24, 2015 | www.ci.new-london.ct.us |
| Carteret County, NC | July 7, 2015 | www.carteretcountync.gov |
If your city is interested in becoming a Coast Guard City, please click here for more information, or contact Ms. Deborah Claiborne at (202) 372-4620 or by e-mail at Deborah.H.Claiborne@uscg.mil
![Melissa Hancock appeared in Lifetime's "Little Women: Atlanta." (Virginia State Police)](http://images03.military.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_large/public/2017-11/melissa-hancock-900.jpg?itok=8dXSmGX9 "Melissa Hancock appeared in Lifetime's "Little Women: Atlanta." (Virginia State Police)")