AARP’s Public Policy Institute has announced 100 top-scoring livable communities across the United States, as part of the AARP Livability Index Top 100.
Launched in 2015, the AARP Livability Index platform scores every neighborhood and community in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for the services and amenities that affect people’s lives the most as they age.
Using more than 50 national data sources across seven categories—housing, neighborhood, transportation, environment, health, engagement, and opportunity—the tool measures every city, county, and town against 61 indicators of livability, ranging from monthly housing costs to environmental pollution to the presence of age-friendly community plans.
“Older adults overwhelmingly want to stay in their current homes and communities as they age, but most of society isn’t prepared to address the needs of a rapidly aging population,” says Rodney Harrell, AARP vice president of family, home, and community. “The AARP Livability Index shows that all communities have room to improve to ensure that residents of all ages are active, engaged, and supported, particularly when it comes to affordable housing options.”
According to its data, the 10 top-scoring communities by population size, in ranking order, include:
- Very large communities (population 500,000+): San Francisco; Ramsey County, Minnesota; Dane County, Wisconsin; Portland, Oregon; Seattle; Hennepin County, Minnesota; Boston; Multnomah County, Oregon; Salt Lake County, Utah; and Montgomery County, Maryland.
- Large communities (population 100,000-499,999): Madison, Wisconsin; Cambridge, Massachusetts; St. Paul, Minnesota; Salt Lake City; Arlington County, Virginia; Rochester, Minnesota; Minneapolis; Chittenden County, Vermont; Olmstead County, Minnesota; and Berkeley, California.
- Midsize communities (population 25,000-99,999): Portland, Maine; Burlington, Vermont; South Portland, Maine; La Crosse, Wisconsin; Belmont, Massachusetts; Somerville, Massachusetts; St. Louis Park, Minnesota; Millcreek, Utah; Roseville, Minnesota; and Bozeman, Montana.
- Small towns (population 5,000 to 24,999): Aspen, Colorado; Great Neck Plaza, New York; Orange City, Iowa; La Crescent, Minnesota; Salida, Colorado; Pierre, South Dakota; Pitkin County, Colorado; Falls Church, Virginia; Jackson, Wyoming; and Falcon Heights, Minnesota.
To view the AARP Livability Index or see a community’s score, visit www.aarp.org/livabilityindex.
