Southern Arizona city named among best small towns in US
Nov 6, 2017, 4:52 AM | Updated: 11:24 am
(Facebook/Town of Oro Valley - Government)
(Facebook/Town of Oro Valley - Government)
PHOENIX — A southern Arizona city has been named among the best small cities in the country, according to a recent report from WalletHub.
Oro Valley was ranked among the top 20 percent of small towns in the nation and was named the best small town in Arizona.
The town was ranked within the 83 percentile of cities. It ranked highest in economic health, coming in at No. 131 in the country.
Oro Valley’s second-highest ranking was under safety, when it ranked at 132nd in the country. The town ranked worst in education and health and quality of life, when it came in at No. 690 and No. 1,013, respectively.
Oro Valley is about 15 miles north of Tucson and about 110 miles south of Phoenix.
The town has a population of 41,011 people, according to the 2010 census. In comparison, the town housed just 29,700 in 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Oro Valley is located in the western foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains and lies at the middle of the Cañada del Oro Valley.
Despite its small population, the town is big on golfing. Oro Valley hosted the Pac-10 Women’s Golf Championships and Girl’s Junior America’s Cup in 2006.
Oro Valley also hosts a number of annual events, including the Oro Valley Festival of the Arts, El Tour de Tucson bike race, Tucson Marathon and the Arizona Distance Classic.
The town is also home to many residents who call Arizona their second home or a place to escape the bitter winter months.
