Business First: Two Columbus suburbs among Midwest's best quality of life areas

The story is here along with a searchable database

Business First by G. Scott Thomas
Date: Thursday, December 8, 2011, 2:23pm EST - 
Last Modified: Thursday, December 8, 2011, 2:25pm EST


Chicago is not only the economic hub of the Midwest, but it also sets the regional standard for quality of life.

On Numbers analyzed 955 Midwestern communities, searching for the places offering the most favorable living conditions. Four Chicago suburbs have taken the top four slots.

Two Columbus suburbs – No. 5 Powell and No. 9 Dublin – also made the top 10 list. Powell's median household income of $126,510 and $331,900 median house value helped it to its high ranking. In Dublin, the median household income is $114,560, and its median house value is $327,200.

Topping the ranking is Winnetka, an affluent village on Lake Michigan's North Shore. Winnetka's $201,650 median household income is the highest in the Midwest, as is the 87.4 percent of adults who hold bachelor's degrees in the area.

On Numbers used a 20-part formula to find Midwestern communities that enjoy healthy economies, light traffic, moderate costs of living, impressive housing stocks and strong educational systems. (Click here for the complete methodology.)

The full quality-of-life rankings for the Midwest are available in the following database. Use the tab to find a single state, or click Search to view the whole list.

On Numbers has already released quality-of-life rankings for the East, South and West. Top-to-bottom national standings will be released Friday.

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