FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2018
Contact: Susan Norton
Director
Communications Department
479.575.8330
snorton@fayetteville-ar.gov
U.S. News and World Report’s Best Places to Live Lists Fayetteville for Third Consecutive Year
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As the largest city in the Northwest Arkansas metropolitan area, Fayetteville is thrilled to share that U.S. News & World Report revealed its 2018 Best Places to Live list today, ranking the area in the top five for three consecutive years. The metropolitan statistical area of Fayetteville, Arkansas, remained in the top five of the country's 125 largest metropolitan areas based on population growth, job prospects, and quality of life. Other cities in the top five include Austin, Texas at No. 1; Colorado Springs, Colorado at No. 2; Denver, Colorado at No. 3; and Des Moines, Iowa at No. 4.
U.S. News analyzed the 125 most populous metro areas to find the best places to live. To make the top of the list, a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life. Information and statistics gathered by U.S. News and World Report about the Fayetteville MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) can be found here: http://realestate.usnews.com/places/arkansas/fayetteville.
“I’m thrilled that Fayetteville and the Northwest Arkansas area have maintained a spot as one of the best places to live in the country for the third year in a row,” said Mayor Lioneld Jordan. “Our region is attractive for its career opportunities, thriving outdoor culture, strong education system, cultural arts, diversity, and general quality of life. We’re continually working with partners to make Fayetteville a desirable place for people to live, work, learn, visit, and play.”
The 2018 Best Places to Live were determined in part by a public survey of thousands of individuals across the U.S. to find out what qualities they consider important in a hometown. The methodology also factors in data from the United States Census Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as well as U.S. News rankings of the Best High Schools and Best Hospitals.
"When deciding on a place to settle down, it’s important to understand that where a person lives can impact their well-being,” said Kim Castro, executive editor at U.S. News. “U.S. News created the Best Places to Live to highlight areas across the country that have the characteristics residents are looking for, including steady job growth and affordability. The top-ranked places are areas where citizens can feel the most fulfilled socially, physically and financially.”
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