(Le Mars) — If you are searching for an ideal mid-size town with safe streets, affordable living, with the ability of finding a job, and keeping more of your disposable income, along with a range of transportation options, and easy access to entertainment and cultural attractions that also has features to improve the quality of life, then you may not need to go any further than Iowa. In a recently published article ranking the 50 Best Mid-size cities to Live In, A-Z Central, as part of the USA Today publication
listed seven Iowa communities, with Le Mars ranked at seventh place. A weighted index of over two-dozen measures by 24/7 Wall Street created to identify the best American cities to live in. The listed communities span the country from coast to coast but are disproportionately concentrated in the Midwest. The communities have populations between 8,000 and 25,000
people.
Le Mars mayor Dick Kirchoff calls the Le Mars ranking as a high honor for the community. The news article specifically mentions the affordable housing rates as a major factor for the high ranking.
Kirchoff believes Le Mars’ high ranking may assist with the town’s economic development plans. The Le Mars mayor says a challenge is to also build up the work force.
Kirchoff says within the past year new apartments and new homes were created to help draw people to Le Mars.
The Le Mars mayor says what has helped the town is the partnership between the private sector and the public with establishing a better quality of
life.
Kirchoff says Le Mars also ranks among the top ten safest towns in Iowa.
Other Iowa communities that made the USA Today list include: Storm Lake, Spencer, North Liberty, Pella, Johnston, and Carroll.
