What does Auburn share in common with small cities like Dubuque, Iowa, Marquette, Mich. and Casper, Wyo.? They are all ranked by Forbes.com as four of the best small cities to raise a family in the U.S. Auburn crashed the top 20 list, coming in at number 18. The ranking does not surprise Mayor Mike Quill. “As a mayor and...
What does Auburn share in common with small cities like Dubuque, Iowa, Marquette, Mich. and Casper, Wyo.?
They are all ranked by Forbes.com as four of the best small cities to raise a family in the U.S. Auburn crashed the top 20 list, coming in at number 18.
The ranking does not surprise Mayor Mike Quill.
“As a mayor and lifelong resident it’s wonderful we’re being recognized nationally for something we’ve known for a long, long time,’’ Quill said this morning.
The publication included 126 cities with populations under 100,000 in its study and based the rankings on quality of life issues. Among them: median household incomes, job commute times, number of adults with a high school education, housing costs, home ownership and affordability.
Auburn’s median income of $48,991 ranked 20th on the list and bested Dubuque, the publication’s top-rated city.
“We must be doing something right,’’ veteran City Councilor Thomas McNabb said.
Of the top 15 cities, 12 of them are in the Midwest. Casper was the top ranked city in the West, finishing 20th on the list.
Both McNabb and Quill said the national ranking comes as a result of hard work by many city officials, businesses and residents.
“This is a great sign for the city of Auburn,’’ Quill said.
You can reach Scott Rapp at srapp@syracuse.com or 289-4839