Ames, Iowa
Population: 50,731
Located in Story County
The Second Best Small City in America! Ames, Iowa, has been named the number 2 small city in America in a new book, THE NEW RATING GUIDE TO LIFE IN AMERICA'S SMALL CITIES, achieving the second highest grades for quality in 10 areas: Climate/environment, diversion, economics, education, community assets, health care, housing, public safety, transportation, and urban proximity. Mount Vernon, Washington was named number 1. * Personal incomes in Ames are significantly higher than those of the typical small city, and they grew at four times the national average between 1990 and 1994. * Ames shines brightest when it comes to educational attainment. The area boasts the second highest overall education score among U.S. micros. Educational levels in Ames dramatically surpass national averages. Ames has the highest share of high school graduates of any small city, and the second highest share of college graduates. Fewer than 2% of young adults drop out of high school, the lowest rate in micropolitan America, and far below national rates. * Total crime rates in Ames are nearly one-third below the national average. Violent crime is far rarer. The rate of juvenile arrest is one of the lowest in micropolitan America. * Iowa State University offers an array of cultural attractions at the modern Iowa State Center. Rates of arts and learning institutions are above the median, and membership and social service organizations are particularly strong. * Ames has the fourth highest transportation score among small cities in the Rating Guide. Highlights include short commutes, popular public transit, and above-median spending on roads. * Ames is known for its healthy, stable economy and flourishing cultural environment. * NOTE: Ames, Iowa beat out many other popular American cities: Longview, Washington, listed 13; Key West, Florida, listed 69; Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, listed 93; and Mount Vernon, Ohio, listed 117.
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