Indiana Communities Rank Among Best Places to Live

You can view this year's Best Places to Live list here.

You can view this year's affordable housing list here.

Press Release

FISHERS, IN – Money Magazine named the Town of Fishers the eighth best place to live in its annual Best Places to Live issue released today.

Money Magazine has chosen Fishers as a Best Place several times in the last few years – identifying it as the 10th Best Place to Live in 2008; the 33rd Best Place to Live in 2006; and in 2005, it was ranked the 24th Best Place to Live. In 2007, Fishers was exempt from consideration because the magazine focused only on communities with populations under 40,000 people; and in 2009, it was exempt because the magazine focused on towns with fewer than 50,000 residents. Fishers’ population is over 69,000.

“Recognition from this well-regarded publication is an honor that we appreciate with great enthusiasm and enormous respect,” said Scott Faultless, Fishers Town Council President. “We are grateful that Money recognizes that our citizens have worked hard to accomplish so many quality of life goals. Our residents have nurtured our community and made it one that offers excellent schools, beautiful parks and trails, accredited police and fire protection, hubs of thriving commerce and community-oriented businesses.”

In this August 2010 issue, Money Magazine said, “Fishers will never put anyone in mind of a quaint New England village. But thanks to its myriad advantages, including lots of community spirit, residents aren't complaining.”

“The thrill of being selected by Money Magazine as a Best Place to Live never diminishes. If anything, it gets even more exciting,” said Dan Canan, President of the Fishers Chamber of Commerce. “Certainly, our business climate is one that supports and encourages sustainable growth and development.”

“We so appreciate the quality of our workforce, our proximity to critical infrastructure, our outstanding schools and a commitment to a parks system that encourages healthful living and leisure activities,” Canan added. “Our residents also exude those Hoosiers values that put a premium on helping each other, being positive and staying involved in their community.”

“One critical element that provides a community with its broader identity is the quality and success of its schools,” said Hamilton Southeastern Schools superintendent Dr. Brian Smith. “When new residents choose to move to Fishers, we have the privilege of welcoming new students to our classrooms. Our increasing population means our district is growing rapidly. It also means that we have a community that is engaged and involved with its schools. There is a high value placed on education and an expectation that all children will receive a world class educational program.”

In determining its criteria for competition this year, Money Magazine started with all municipalities in the country with populations between 50,000 to 300,000. Then, it excluded places where the median family income is more than 200% or less than 85% of the state median and those more than 95% white. It screened out retirement communities, towns with significant job loss and those with poor education and crime scores. It ranked remaining places based upon housing affordability, school quality, arts and leisure, safety, health care, diversity and several ease-of-living criteria.

From there, it factored in additional data on the economy (including the fiscal strength of the government), jobs, housing and schools. It weighted economic factors most heavily. In narrowing its list, it then visited 30 towns and interviewed residents - assessing traffic, parks, and gathering places and considering intangibles like community spirit.

This latest honor is one of several national awards the town has received in 2010. Accolades include:
Best Place to Raise Your Kids - BusinessWeek.com
#1 Best Affordable Suburb in U.S. - BusinessWeek.com
#2 Best Under-rated Golf Community in U.S. - Livability.com
Healthiest County in Indiana - Community Health Network
Top 100 Places to Live in 2010 - RelocateAmerica

“When you consider the recognition our Town has received,” said Scott Faultless, “it underscores that our efforts to attract businesses and enhance economic development have a purposeful and successful approach. Money Magazine is once again telling a national audience what we as residents, employers, and employees know to be true - that Fishers is a great place to invest, live and work.”

To see the article online, please go to http://money.cnn.com/

Source: Town of Fishers