Livability.com ranked Springfield 85th on its second annual list of “The Top 100 Places to Live.” The list, focused on small to mid-sized cities, describes Springfield as having “an active economy based on manufacturing, health care and retail.” It also points to the city’s several universities and a growing tourism industry. According to Livibility.com, Springfield’s convention and visitors bureau spends $1 million annually to market the community as a destination. More than 2000 cities were evaluated for the study.
Researchers analyzed more than 40 data points that were then grouped into eight categories—economics, housing, amenities, infrastructure, demographics, social and civic capital, education and healthcare.
One other Missouri city made the list—Columbia is ranked 50th.
