Suburban areas are primarily residential, featuring auto-oriented, medium-density housing developments. Many Suburban jurisdictions have a downtown or core area with a more urban development pattern, reflecting their initial phase of development; however, all these municipalities experienced most of their growth in the 1980s and early 1990s. This has resulted in an overall development pattern of expansive subdivisions that prioritize vehicle access and exhibit limited intersection density, which affects the efficiency of public transit. Many Suburban areas also feature park-and-ride facilities to enhance connectivity to larger transit networks, supporting commuter needs.

Unlike Urban and Urban Edge cities, these jurisdictions often include small amounts of undeveloped land, providing opportunities for future development or green space conservation. Additionally, as the last of their greenfield areas are developed and their earlier developments age, these municipalities are experiencing opportunities for infill and redevelopment, often at higher densities than the prevailing development pattern.

As these areas continue to grow, they face challenges such as rising surface temperatures and strains on local water supplies, emphasizing the importance of integrated resource management strategies.