Skip to main content

Watch Out Santa … for America’s Naughtiest Cities!

Dec 18, 2014

Yes, kids, it’s that time of year when a certain overweight old guy in a red suit drives a reindeer-fueled sled through the skies. And while the beloved Mr. Claus drops down the chimney with a list separating the naughty children from the nice children, the fun-loving economists at RealtyTrac have their own mistletoe-scented list of America’s naughtiest and nicest cities for 2014.

And just what constitutes a “Naughty City” and a “Nice City?” Home affordability and foreclosure rates are part of the mix—hey, it is RealtyTrac, after all—along with unemployment by county, the average elementary school score, the overall crime levels and, in a twist that rarely finds its way into any Yuletide equation, the number of sex offenders per capita.

So, who made the “nicest cities” list? Cary, N.C., came in first, followed by Fairfax, Va. Six of the remaining top 10 nice cities were based in Texas–Pearland at number three, Frisco at number five, Sugar Land at six, Richardson at seven, Katy at eight followed by College Station number nine–while the remaining two were in California–Irvine at four and Fremont at number 10.

“There were 55 cities with unemployment, sex offenders and foreclosure inventory below the national averages along with an average school score above the national average and a crime rating of B or above,” said RealtyTrac in announcing their findings.

As for the “Naughty Cities,” Milwaukee came in at the top of that sorry list, followed by Detroit in second. Three other California cities found their way into this unwelcome company–Stockton at three, Fresno at number five and, perhaps not so ironically, the state capital of Sacramento at six. Other perennially-troubled metropolitan areas included Philadelphia and the Connecticut capital of Hartford that also wound up in this troubled round-up.

“There were 20 cities where unemployment, sex offenders, and foreclosure inventory were above the national averages along with school ratings below the national average and a crime rating of C or below,” RealtyTrac added.

Ho, ho, ho—indeed! 

About the author
Published
Dec 18, 2014
FED Cuts Funds Rate By 25 bps

Federal funds rate lowered to a target range of 4.50%-4.75%.

Nov 07, 2024
UWM Profits Decline Sharply In Q3 2024

UWM CEO Ishbia says the declining fair value of MSRs had an impact

Nov 07, 2024
Early Voters Flag U.S. Economy As Top Issue

More Americans think mortgage rates will fall if Trump wins

Nov 04, 2024
Freddie Mac's Q3 Earnings Boost Net Worth To $56 Billion

Lower rates usher in more purchase and refinance activity

Oct 30, 2024
HUD Pledges $12 Million To Boost Housing Affordability

Grant funding from HUD’s Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) enables eligible organizations to acquire land, enhance infrastructure, and build housing

Oct 30, 2024
Insurance Crisis Hits Lenders' Bottom Lines

While monthly principal, interest, and property tax obligations are up an average 15-17% since the beginning of 2020, the average monthly property insurance payment is up a staggering 52% over that same period.

Oct 30, 2024