The charm of an American small town has been well-documented in movies, novels and Norman Rockwell paintings. Even today, small-town life is thriving.
AARP celebrates the best small towns in its Livability Index, which pulls from 50 sources of data to rate American communities across 61 indicators of livability. Everything from monthly housing costs to pollution and opportunities for strong social connections are included in the criteria.
The latest AARP index defines a small town as a community with a population of between 5,000 and 24,999. Here’s a look at the top small towns in America as ranked by the AARP Livability Index.
Great Neck Plaza, New York
Overall livability score: 73 out of 100
Population: 7,443
The village of Great Neck Plaza — also known as simply “the Plaza” — sits in New York’s Nassau County, on Long Island. It includes three parks and a downtown with a railroad station.
Aspen, Colorado
Overall livability score: 70 out of 100
Population: 6,952
The Colorado mountain community of Aspen appeals to skiers and nature buffs. It’s also home to both the Aspen Music Festival and Aspen Food & Wine Classic.
Gunnison, Colorado
Overall livability score: 69 out of 100
Population: 6,629
Located on the Colorado Western Slope, the part of the state west of the Continental Divide, the small city of Gunnison has a history steeped in ranching, agriculture and mining. It is the county seat of Gunnison County.
Montpelier, Vermont
Overall livability score: 68 out of 100
Population: 8,030
Despite its relatively small population, Montpelier is Vermont’s capital city. It is known for its scenic beauty and is the only capital city in the United States that does not feature either a McDonald’s or a Starbucks.
Takoma Park, Maryland
Overall livability score: 68 out of 100
Population: 17,542
The city of Takoma Park, Maryland, sits just outside of the District of Columbia. Although densely populated, its hills and large trees give it a less urban feel.
Falls Church, Virginia
Overall livability score: 68 out of 100
Population: 14,576
There is plenty to keep you busy in Falls Church, including a lot of history. The Virginia city takes its name from the historic Falls Church, where President George Washington and Virginia statesman George Mason once were congregation members.
Fairview, New Jersey
Overall livability score: 68 out of 100
Population: 14,935
The town of Fairview, New Jersey, is located just five miles from New York City. That means the city offers quick access to all of the Big Apple’s attractions.
La Crescent, Minnesota
Overall livability score: 68 out of 100
Population: 5,352
La Crescent is known as Minnesota’s apple capital. The city hosts a jam-packed Apple Festival every year, complete with a parade, sports competitions and plenty of music and entertainment.
Winterset, Iowa
Overall livability score: 68 out of 100
Population: 5,366
Winterset, Iowa, is home to the covered bridges made famous in the movie “The Bridges of Madison County.” Hollywood legend John Wayne was born in the town.
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Overall livability score: 67 out of 100
Population: 19,253
Los Alamos, New Mexico, is a great place for those who love outdoor activities. You will find everything from golf courses to skiing on Pajarito Mountain to an outdoor ice-skating rink, not to mention the 33,000-acre Bandelier National Monument.
Pella, Iowa
Overall livability score: 67 out of 100
Population: 10,556
Pella is home to Lake Red Rock, the largest lake in Iowa. The city also features a craft beer bar — the Cellar Peanut Pub — that is known as the best in the state.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Overall livability score: 67 out of 100
Population: 13,251
Steamboat Springs — which sits on the southwestern flank of the Park Range, at the base of Mount Werner — is home to two of Colorado’s famed ski areas. You will also find three state parks and more than 150 natural springs here.
Pierre, South Dakota
Overall livability score: 67 out of 100
Population: 14,105
Located on the rocky bluffs of the Missouri River, Pierre is South Dakota’s capital city. Hikers and bikers love the 116,000 acres of open space in nearby Fort Pierre National Grassland.
Winooski, Vermont
Overall livability score: 67 out of 100
Population: 8,122
Winooski, Vermont, offers the charm of a historic mill city. Winooski River flows past downtown, where a rotary park serves as the hub to public paths that take you to nearby trails.
Wilson, Pennsylvania
Overall livability score: 67 out of 100
Population: 8,208
The borough of Wilson, in eastern Pennsylvania, is adjacent to the city of Easton and is part of the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area. It is named after former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson.
Kasson, Minnesota
Overall livability score: 67 out of 100
Population: 6,855
Kasson, Minnesota, is about 50 miles south of the Twin Cities metropolitan area and just 10 miles from Rochester, where top-ranked medical care can be found at the world-famous Mayo Clinic.
Columbia Heights, Minnesota
Overall livability score: 67 out of 100
Population: 21,822
Columbia Heights, Minnesota, is a suburb of Minneapolis. Just a few miles north of the Twin Cities, it offers access to urban living but maintains its small-town feel.
Williston Park, New York
Overall livability score: 67 out of 100
Population: 7,543
The village of Williston Park is contained in an area of less than one square mile on Long Island in New York City. It packs a lot into those small boundaries, including nearly 300 retail stores, offices and other businesses.
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