Hoover makes list of ‘Best Cities to Live’

Published 10:41 am Thursday, December 15, 2016

HOOVER – Hoover was the only city in Alabama to make a list of “America’s 50 Best Cities to Live.”

Coming in at No. 43, Hoover enjoys a favorable job market, household incomes well above the national average and high home values, according to the report.

The list was compiled by 24/7 Wall St.

Hoover was reported to have a population of 84,352; median home value of $262,000; poverty rate of 7.4 percent; 57.7 percent of residents with at least a bachelor’s degree; and 474.2 amenities per 100,000 residents.

The full text of 24/7 Wall St.’s analysis of Hoover is below:

“The number of jobs in Hoover grew by just 0.4 percent from 2012 through last year, exceptionally slow compared with most other cities on this list. The city’s annual unemployment rate of 4.3 percent, however, is lower than the state’s rate of 6.8 percent and is one of the lower jobless rates in the nation.

“Due in part to the relatively favorable job market, Hoover residents also benefit from financial stability. The typical area household earns $72,728 each year, far higher than the national median household income and considerably higher than the typical income in Alabama, which is one of the nation’s poorest states.

“The typical home in Hoover is valued at $262,000, well above the median for homes nationwide and more than double the home value across the state.

“The cost of living in Alabama is lower than in most states, and the high incomes in Hoover go further accounting for the relatively inexpensive goods and services.”

Hoover’s scores were 90.6 for economy, 84.5 for crime, 59.7 for education, 97.5 for housing, 72.3 for environment, 59.3 for leisure, 19.2 for infrastructure and 52.7 for health.

“To determine America’s best cities to live in, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on the 550 U.S. cities with populations of 65,000 or more as measured by the U.S. Census Bureau,” according to the post at 247wallst.com. “Based on a range of variables, including crime rates, employment growth, access to restaurants and attractions, educational attainment and housing affordability, 24/7 Wall St. identified America’s 50 Best Cities to Live.”