A website called Fall River one of America's 100 best cities. Where is it on the list?
FALL RIVER — Better than Cincinnati? Better than Reno? Better than the home of Walt Disney World itself, Orlando? That’s what the editors of Livability.com think of Fall River.
The website publishes surveys of small to mid-sized cities across America, developing “content marketing programs showcasing why they are a great place to live with one simple goal: help cities attract and retain residents and businesses.” And on its list of top 100 cities for 2023 is Fall River.
The Spindle City lands at No. 80 overall, citing “its picturesque waterfront and diverse cultural offerings,” according to the site.
“A revitalized downtown, affordability and potential for growth make it hard to resist.”
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What else did Livability say about Fall River?
Livability has a page to explain its ranking for each city, and naturally, Lizzie Borden got a mention for its historic and touristy connections.
The site also spotlights Fall River’s Portuguese culture (and restaurants), and proximity to schools like Bristol Community College and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth as benefits to living here. When it comes to city hotspots, it mentions Battleship Cove, Portugalia Marketplace and even the Pink Bean coffee shop.
According to the site, living in Fall River is relatively affordable with a median rent of “$800” a month.
Is Livability’s information accurate?
When it comes to the amenities and highlights of Fall River, of course.
In terms of numbers, sort of. Livability says it obtains its data from several different sources, from the U.S. Census Bureau to the IRS. The site says Fall River has a population of 94,730; the U.S. Census Bureau, the best source for population data, calculated the city’s at 94,000 people in 2020. It estimates the city is now home to 93,682.
Livability says Fall River’s median household income is $52,429. The Census Bureau says the 2021 median household income was $49,613. Recalculated for inflation using the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index calculator, that would equal $57,682.
The website says the city’s median monthly rent is $800. The Census Bureau calculated the median monthly rent in Fall River as $918 from 2017 to 2021. It's close, anyway.
How was Fall River's Livability score calculated?
The site uses "a proprietary algorithm” to weigh its scores among a slew of different quality of life categories, like the unemployment rate, transportation, life expectancy and crime rates.
Fall River ranked highest for transportation and amenities, like museums, restaurants and parks. The city ranked lowest for health and safety.
Were any other area communities on the list?
Fall River was the only city in the Southcoast to make their list, and only one of three Massachusetts cities total, including Lowell (53) and Worcester (71). Two cities in nearby Rhode Island were higher on the list: Warwick (22) and Cranston (24).
Is the list worth paying attention to?
Everyone has their opinions, but while you're thinking about it, here are some free outdoor concerts to check out, the best local places to stay cool in the summer and the latest news in the foodie community.
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Dan Medeiros can be reached at dmedeiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Is Fall River among best places to live? Livability.com ranks cities
