With local governments’ leadership abilities being tested by COVID-19 as well as the recent protests, and the 2020 election approaching, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2020’s Best- & Worst-Run Cities in America, as well as accompanying videos.
To determine the effectiveness of local leadership, WalletHub compared 150 of the largest U.S. cities based on their operating efficiency. For each city, WalletHub constructed a “Quality of City Services” score – comprising 38 key performance indicators grouped into six service categories – that was then measured against the city’s total per-capita budget.
| Top 20 Best-Run Cities in America | |
| 1. Nampa, ID | 11. Sioux Falls, SD |
| 2. Boise, ID | 12. Greensboro, NC |
| 3. Provo, UT | 13. Lewiston, ME |
| 4. Las Cruces, NM | 14. Cedar Rapids, IA |
| 5. Durham, NC | 15. Billings, MT |
| 6. Lexington-Fayette, KY | 16. Chesapeake, VA |
| 7. Missoula, MT | 17. Columbus, GA |
| 8. Fort Wayne, IN | 18. Huntington Beach, CA |
| 9. Virginia Beach, VA | 19. Rapid City, SD |
| 10. Nashua, NH | 20. Oklahoma City, OK |
Best vs. Worst
- Casper, Wyoming, has the lowest long-term debt outstanding per capita, $623, which is 35.5 times lower than in Washington, the city with the highest at $22,127.
- Warwick, Rhode Island, has the fewest violent crimes (per 1,000 residents), 0.91, which is 22.1 times fewer than in Detroit, the city with the most at 20.08.
- Provo, Utah, has the lowest unemployment rate, 6.30 percent, which is 7.1 times lower than in Flint, Michigan, the city with the highest at 44.80 percent.
- Fremont, California, has the lowest share of the population living in poverty, 4.80 percent, which is 8.4 times lower than in Flint, Michigan, the city with the highest at 40.40 percent.
To view the full report and your city’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-run-cities/22869/
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