Mayor Ben Stahler shared at the Tuesday evening Bellefontaine City Council meeting the results of a 2022 study by SmartAsset, which ranked Bellefontaine among the top communities to live in near large cities across the nation.
Bellefontaine, with a population 14,100, was ranked number 14 of 494 places considered for the purpose of this study. Three other communities also made the “cut” in Ohio’s selections included Delaware, Canal Winchester and Johnstown.
“It’s certainly reassuring and exciting to gain this type of recognition,” Mayor Stahler said. “Residents and visitors alike have come to know the advantages of living in small towns that also has a short drive to a larger metropolitan city.”
The Midwestern areas near Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Columbus dominated the entire top 10. All four of the Columbus-area suburbs ranked in the overall top 20 of their study.
“While large cities can be a great option for anyone looking for a fast-paced environment with easy access to shops and restaurants, the hustle and bustle of a large city isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition for everyone,” SmartAsset representatives said.
“Large cities are often expensive and come with higher crime rates than their surrounding areas.
“Suburbs, in turn, can offer more affordable housing, lower crime rates and a variety of entertainment options.”
To determine this year’s ranking, SmartAsset analyzed 13 metrics across three categories: jobs, affordability and livability. When comparing the four major regions in the U.S., the Midwest is home to some of the highest-ranking suburbs in the study.
In Ohio, Bellefontaine, Delaware, Canal Winchester and Johnstown all performed especially well in the livability category, each ranking among the top 25 for the category.
Residents can expect lower violent and property crime rates in these suburbs (under 140 violent crimes and 1,400 property crimes, per 100,000), SmartAsset reports.
Details of the entire study are available online at https://smartasset.com/date-studies/best-suburbs-to-live-in-near-a-large-city-2022.