The 2020 New Era Chinese Cities Social Development Index Top 100 List was released at the East China University of Science and Technology on the morning of November 16.

The list was ranked by a research group using available yearly statistical data in 2019 from 297 cities above the prefecture level in China. The "Social Development Index Research for Chinese Cities" study was led by professor He Xuesong and associate professor Wu Kaize of the Institute of Social Work and Social Policy of East China University of Science and Technology and a Shanghai university think tank. In this year's list Guangdong Province had the most cities on the list with 16.

Zhongshan ranked 27th on the list and made the Top 100 in several indicators: Zhongshan ranked 14th in the "Population Development and Social Potential Top 100"; 26th in the "Public Education, Science, Technology, and Culture Top 100"; 23rd in the "Social Governance and Charity Top 100"; 30th in the "Social Security and Social Assistance Top 100"; 31st in the "Economic Development and People's Livelihood Security Top 100"; and 37th in the "Public Health Care and Residents' Health Top 100".