Chattanoogans generally like and take pride in their community, but the Scenic City is among the poorest in the nation in the way residents manage their economic life to reduce stress and increase security, according to a ranking of community well being released Tuesday.
The newest Gallup-Healthways assessment of community well being released today rates Chattanooga 108th among the top 190 metro areas included in the study. Chattanooga ranked best for its sense of community pride and how much residents like their community and worst in its financial dealings. Chattanooga was also ranked above average for how much residents say they like what they do each day, but Chattanooga continued to rate poorly in the quality of health for its residents compared with other cities.
The annual community well being index by Gallup-Healthways showed that communities in Florida, California, Colorado and Texas are among the highest well-being communities in the nation. These four states account for 14 of the top 20 well-being communities. Naples, Fla. was judged to have the best overall community well being.
In contrast, low well-being communities are spread out across a more geographically diverse group of states. That said, Ohio does claim five of the lowest 20 well-being communities in the U.S.
Best cities for community well being
- 1. Naples, Fla.
- 2. Salinas, Calif.
- 3. Sarasota, Fla.
- 4. Fort Collins, Colo.
- 5. Barstable Town, Mass
Worst cities for community well being
- 1. Charleston, W. Va.
- 2. Fort Smith, Ark.
- 3. Hickory, N.C.
- 4. Huntington, W. Va.
- 5. Chico, Calif.