This Bergen County city has been named one of the best small cities in the country to live in in 2024

Some cities are known for their vibrant downtowns and selection of unique restaurants, while others boast interesting architectural styles. But can your city claim to be one of the best small cities in the country to live in in 2024?

Residents of Fair Lawn can: According to WalletHub’s annual Best Small Cities in America report, the Bergen County community was ranked 12th in the nation for the best small cities to live in in 2024. Although Fair Lawn lost a few spots after finishing sixth in the small town rankings cities in 2023 and third best small city in 2022, the commune continues to rank in the top places.

A total of 1,318 municipalities across the country, with populations ranging from 25,000 to 100,000, were ranked based on various factors into five key categories: affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life and safety.

“Nearly one-third of Americans (31%) say they would prefer to live in the suburbs, compared with 16% for urban areas and 24% for rural communities,” the report says. “Living in small towns may be best for those who value greater freedom of movement, less separation and shorter commutes, to name just a few advantages.”

With a population of just over 35,000, Fair Lawn had a total score of 68.75. The commune was ranked 21st in terms of safety and 34th in terms of education and health.

Fair Lawn also scored highly in affordability and economic health, ranking 101st and 184th, respectively. However, according to WalletHub, the city seemed to struggle in the quality of life category, ranking 950th overall.

Fair Lawn is known for properties that are more affordable than those in nearby Bergen County towns such as Ridgewood, Glen Rock, and Ho-Ho-Kus. The borough is also home to two train stations – Radburn and Broadway – as well as many high-quality restaurants such as the Dutch House Tavern.

Source: WalletHub

“Even though we are listed as a small town, people come to Fair Lawn because we combine all the conveniences of a close suburb with a small town atmosphere,” said Fair Lawn Mayor Gail Rottenstrich. “Whether you live here your whole life or for a short time, you know that when you become a resident of Fair Lawn, you become part of a loving, large, diverse family.”

Other New Jersey cities that ranked in the 90th percentile or above – or in the top 10% of small towns in America – were Ridgewood (24th), Princeton (29th), Hoboken (70th), Westfield (110th) and Paramus (137th). According to the report.

Overall, the five largest small cities in the country are Carmel, Indiana; Brookfield, Wisconsin; Lexington, MA; Indiana Fishermen; and Appleton, Wisconsin.

“Moving from a bustling metropolis to a small city can drastically reduce the cost of living. What’s more, the best small cities offer a strong job market, high-quality education, good health care, safe living conditions and plenty of local talent opportunities to help you achieve a high quality of life,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “While small cities may lack some of the advantages of large cities, such as robust public transportation systems, they make up for these shortcomings in other areas.”

Maddie McGay is a real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things important about living in North Jersey. Find her Instagram @maddiemcgay, ON X @maddiemcgayyand sign up for it Life in North Jersey bulletin. Do you have a tip, trend or great home she should know about? Email her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Fair Lawn NJ among the best small towns in the U.S. in 2024.