Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Daphne is America’s #1 small city, according to Livability.com
Reading time: 3 minutes
When it comes to small cities, Alabama just can’t be beat—and we have the stats to prove it. In its first-ever ranking of the Top 50 Best Small Cities in America, digital publisher and research website Livability.com ranked Daphne, Alabama as the #1 Best Small City in America.
Read on to learn why Livability.com picked “The Jubilee City” and to see which other Alabama cities made the list.
What you need to know about Daphne, Alabama
Located across the bay from Mobile, Daphne is the most popular suburb of Alabama’s Port City with a little over 31,000 residents. Known for its vibrant arts scene, historic (and massive!) live oaks and stunning views of Mobile Bay, the charming Daphne community offers small-town hospitality alongside plenty of shopping, dining and outdoor recreation options.
Daphne is also home to a rare, natural phenomenon in which large numbers of marine life—including blue crabs, shrimp and fish—migrate en masse to the shallow waters along the coastline. Referred to as a “Jubilee,” this natural phenomenon only occurs regularly in the Mobile Bay—and is the reason Daphne is commonly known as “The Jubilee City.“
Daphne ranked #1 small city in America by Livability.com
In an effort to recognize communities that offer the highest quality of life at an attainable cost, Livability.com partnered with the data experts at Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS) to analyze quality of life in more than 2,000 U.S. cities, evaluating them on nearly 100 data points across eight categories:
- Economy
- Housing & Cost of Living
- Amenities
- Transportation
- Environment
- Safety
- Education
- Health
While the full list of 50 cities spans every region of the country, Alabama clinched the lead with the top three spots. Livability.com’s top 10 are:
- Daphne, Alabama
- Madison, Alabama
- Homewood, Alabama
- Dublin, Ohio
- Chesterfield, Missouri
- Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
- Mason, Ohio
- Westfield, Indiana
- Pflugerville, Texas
- Friendswood, Texas
According to Livabilty.com, Daphne ranked so highly due to its “bayfront beauty,” family-friendly amenities and attractions, local culture and retail options as well as its easy commute to and from Mobile.
“Known as the ‘Jubilee City,’ Daphne, AL, sits along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay just 11 miles east of downtown Mobile, making it a crown jewel of the Gulf Coast region. With a growing population of roughly 26,846, Daphne offers residents a picturesque coastal lifestyle where live-oak-canopied streets, stunning bayfront sunsets and a relaxed Southern rhythm come together. Living in Daphne offers the perfect balance of small-town coastal charm and plenty of modern conveniences. The city is an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts, growing families and retirees looking for space to spread out without sacrificing the perks of a booming regional job market, lots of cultural history and, of course, world-class Gulf beaches.”
Livability.com
These aren’t the only Alabama cities to make Livability.com’s complete list. Also included were:
- Enterprise, Alabama (#11)
- Florence, Alabama (#14)
- Opelika, Alabama (#16)
- Dothan, Alabama (#25)
Do you agree with Livability.com’s rankings? Let us know by tagging @mobilebaynow on Instagram!
