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TODAY Californian spotlights life throughout the Golden State
TODAY Californian is a recent tackle California information, sports activities and tradition. Stories that assist you navigate life relatively than gawk at it, advised by USA TODAY journalists who reside it, not simply cowl it.
California’s Redding and Santa Cruz — earned spots on HGTV’s new checklist of the 30 Best Up‑and‑Coming Small Cities in America, which highlights locations seeing robust progress, rising job alternatives and life-style enchantment.
It’s the second time this yr Redding has gained nationwide consideration for its financial efficiency. In January, Milken Institute ranked Redding 14th among the many 205 best-performing small cities in America. Redding was the one metropolis in California to crack the highest 50.
HGTV primarily based the rankings on federal information and financial analysis that observe which small cities are gaining momentum — and each California cities stood out for various causes, from out of doors entry to inhabitants progress. It additionally used the Milken report to assist create its rankings.
Redding is HGTV’s highest‑ranked California metropolis — right here’s why
Redding ranked No. 9 on HGTV’s checklist, making it the very best‑rating California metropolis featured.
HGTV pointed to rising wages and job progress in Redding, together with its increasing healthcare sector and better‑schooling presence. The metropolis is residence to a few universities and serves as a regional hub for Northern California.
Outdoor entry additionally performed a significant position in Redding’s rating. The metropolis sits close to Mt. Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and several other lakes, rivers, and nationwide forests. Popular native locations embody the Sacramento River Trail, Castle Crags State Park, and Turtle Bay Exploration Park.
Despite having fewer than 100,000 residents, Redding averages greater than 300 days of sunshine a yr, making it engaging to out of doors lovers drawn to mountaineering, biking, fishing, and water recreation.
Santa Cruz’s coastal life-style helped land it on HGTV’s up‑and‑coming cities checklist
Santa Cruz ranked No. 27 on HGTV’s checklist and was highlighted for its inhabitants progress and coastal life-style.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Santa Cruz recorded one of many largest inhabitants will increase amongst small cities with at the least 50,000 residents, including about 7,000 individuals in recent times to succeed in almost 62,000 residents.
HGTV famous Santa Cruz’s enchantment for out of doors recreation, together with browsing, mountain biking, mountaineering, and crusing, in addition to its location alongside the enduring Pacific Coast Highway.
The metropolis’s seashores, cliff walks, and landmarks — together with the historic Walton Lighthouse — have been additionally cited as attracts for residents searching for a laid‑again coastal life-style with quick access to nature.
How HGTV ranked the most effective up‑and‑coming small cities
HGTV created the checklist utilizing information from the U.S. Census Bureau and a report by the Milken Institute, a nonpartisan suppose tank that tracks financial efficiency nationwide.
The rating centered on small cities exhibiting indicators of lengthy‑time period momentum, together with:
- Economic progress
- Population progress
- Job and wage will increase
- Housing affordability
- Access to broadband
In its report on Redding, Milken stated the town’s robust wage progress from 2019 to 2024 stood out.
HGTV additionally thought of life-style elements, reminiscent of out of doors recreation, high quality of life and general livability.
What cities appeared on HGTV’s checklist of the 30 Best Up-and-Coming Small Cities in America?
Here is HGTV’s full checklist of the 30 Best Up-and-Coming Small Cities in America:
- No. 1: Georgetown, Texas
- No. 2: Queen Creek, Arizona
- No. 3: Buckeye, Arizona
- No. 4: New Braunfels, Texas
- No. 5: Fort Myers, Florida
- No. 6: Meridian, Idaho
- No. 7: St. George, Utah
- No. 8: Coeur D’Alene, Idaho
- No. 9: Redding
- No. 10: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- No. 11: Gainesville, Georgia
- No. 12: Bend, Oregon
- No. 13: Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
- No. 14: Goodyear, Arizona
- No. 15: Maricopa, Arizona
- No. 16: Idaho Falls, Idaho
- No. 17: Abilene, Texas
- No. 18: Logan, Utah
- No. 19: Rapid City, South Dakota
- No. 20: Lewiston, Idaho
- No. 21: Burlington, North Carolina
- No. 22: Kyle, Texas
- No. 23: Mankato, Minnesota
- No. 24: Punta Gorda, Florida
- No. 25: Bloomington, Indiana
- No. 26: Bozeman, Montana
- No. 27: Santa Cruz
- No. 28: Bowling Green, Kentucky
- No 29: Medford, Massachusetts
- No. 30: Missoula, Montana
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