Best- and worst-run cities in America
Every city faces challenges, but some cities are managed better than others. Take a look at the best- and worst-run cities in America.
To evaluate how well a city is managed over the long-term, 24/7 Wall St. looked at factors like the city’s credit rating, poverty, education, crime, unemployment and regional GDP.
To evaluate how well a city is managed over the long-term, 24/7 Wall St. looked at factors like the city’s credit rating, poverty, education, crime, unemployment and regional GDP.
6. Seattle, Wash.
Population: 620,778
Credit rating: Aaa, stable outlook
Violent crime per 1,000 people: 5.93 (45th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 7.5% (tied- 23rd lowest)
5. Fremont, Calif.
Population: 216,912
Credit rating: Not rated
Violent crime per 1,000 people: 1.77 (6th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 7.5% (tied- 23rd lowest)
4. Lincoln, Neb.
Population: 262,350
Credit rating: Aaa, stable outlook
Violent crime per 1,000 people: 3.71 (18th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 3.9% (the lowest)
3. Irvine, Calif.
Population: 215,511
Credit rating: Not rated
Violent crime per 1,000 people: 0.56 (the lowest)
Unemployment rate: 6.5% (tied- 11th lowest)
2. Madison, Wis.
Population: 236,889
Credit rating: Aaa, stable
Violent crime per 1,000 people: 3.48 (15th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 4.9% (2nd lowest)
1. Plano, Texas
Population: 271,380
Credit rating: Aaa, no outlook
Violent crime per 1,000 people: 1.62 (2nd lowest)
Unemployment rate: 6.9% (13th lowest)
Worst run cities:
6. Modesto, Calif.
Population: 202,761
Credit rating: not rated
Violent crime per 1,000 people: 6.94 (39th highest)
Unemployment rate: 14.6% (7th highest)
5. Hialeah, Fla.
Population: 229,967
Credit rating: not rated
Violent crime per 1,000 people: 3.78 (18th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 14.1% (tied- 9th highest)
4. Detroit, Mich.
Population: 706,640
Credit rating: Caa1, negative outlook
Violent crime per 1,000 people: 21.37 (the highest)
Unemployment rate: 19.9% (2nd highest)
10. Stockton, Calif.
Unemployment: 14.1%
12-month unemployment change: -1.7 percentage points
Pct. below poverty line: 18.1%
2. Miami, Fla.
Population: 408,760
Credit rating: A2, negative outlook
Violent crime per 1,000 people: 11.98 (12th highest)
Unemployment rate: 12.4% (17th highest)
1. San Bernardino, Calif.
Population: 213,008
Credit rating: not rated
Violent crime per 1,000 people: 8.76 (27th highest)
Unemployment rate: 17.6% (3rd highest)
The city filed for bankruptcy in 2012.
To see all the cities on the list, go to 247wallst.com.
