Best Small Cities In U.S. 2019: Johns Creek Makes The List

JOHNS CREEK, GA — Johns Creek might not be the biggest in the state, but we recently received recognition as one of the best small cities in the nation.

Personal finance site WalletHub released its 2019 Best Small Cities in America, which only included metros with populations between 25,000 and 100,000.

Our city finished in the 83 percentile overall for best small cities in the United States.

• Total Score: 64.21
• Affordability Rank: 75
• Economic Health Rank: 663
• Education & Health Rank: 718
• Quality of Life Rank: 1129
• Safety Rank: 94

Johns Creek is Georgia’s ninth largest city with more than 82,000 residents, located 25 miles northeast of Atlanta, the city said on its website.

"We are proud of the fact that we have been recognized as the safest large city in Georgia, as well as one of the best cities to live in the United States," the city said. "The schools within our exceptional city are not only among the top 20 in the state, but they are routinely recognized nationally for their academic excellence. And, with more than 300 acres of parks and growing, we offer recreational opportunities for nearly everyone; including world-class golf, tennis, swimming, and sports programs for kids and adults of all ages.

"Johns Creek is a culturally diverse community with nearly 25 percent of our residents joining us from India, China, South Korea and other nations. We are also home to many Fortune 100 companies and can provide an ideal location for businesses looking to relocate or expand. From our cultural arts scene, dining, and recreation, to our highly acclaimed medical facilities, and executive-style living, we invite you to come and see why top entertainers, sports figures, senior executives, and businesses from all over the globe choose to call Johns Creek home."

The list compared more than 1,200 cities across the nation based on 42 key indicators of liveability, including home ownership rate, the number of performing arts centers in the area, job growth and more.

Each relevant metric was listed with its corresponding weight and the cities were subsequently graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the maximum small city experience.
Leawood, Kansas ranked as the best small city in the nation, according to WalletHub, followed by Brentwood, Tennessee and Sammamish, Washington.

Bessemer, Alabama finished as the worst small city in the United States.

"Small-city life can be best for those who appreciate more wiggle room, fewer degrees of separation and shorter commutes, to name just a few advantages," authors of the WalletHub study said.

Here are the top 10 overall small cities in the country:

1. Leawood, Kansas: 71.98
2. Brentwood, Tennessee: 71.53
3. Sammamish, Washington: 71.34
4. Melrose, Massachusetts: 70.7
5. Carmel, Indiana: 70.59
6. Lexington, Massachusetts: 70.55
7. Milton, Massachusetts: 70.46
8. Brookfield, Wisconsin: 70.38
9. Fair Lawn, New Jersey: 70.25
10. Cedar Park, Texas: 69.98

Other Georgia cities on the list that finished above the 50th percentile include Alpharetta (97), Peachtree City (86), Kennesaw (80), Milton (79), Roswell (76), Duluth (76), Marietta (69), Smyrna (63).

Patch editor Gus Saltonstall contributed to this article.