The buzzword that is going around these days is ‘green’ – green homes, green building, green living etc. Here is the latest addition to the green world – the top 25 greenest cities in the U.S. These are cities that are more energy efficient and offer a living environment that is least polluting and offer a more healthy living. People looking to live an eco-friendly life may choose from the 379 best greenest cities to live in America. The list of the top greenest U.S. cities to live has been compiled by Country Home magazine based on the data provided by Sperling’s BestPlaces.
The survey was conducted among 379 major metro areas in the country where more than 80 % of America’s residents live and the rankings were based on several green parameters. The cities were derived from 24 data metrics in 5 major categories including air and watershed quality, mass transit usage, usage of green power, farmers’ markets, organic producers and groceries, the number of green-certified buildings and more.
Burlington, Vermont topped the list of greenest U.S. cities in America. Several green programs make this city the greenest place to live. Its 40,000 residents appreciate the importance of green living and the community, businesses and the government, have made green living their priority.
The second best green city in the U.S. – Ithaca, NY, has over 16 % residents who walk to work – the highest percentage in the country. This along with bike riders, mass transit users and home office workers makes Ithaca’s commuters the greenest in the nation.
Corvallis, at third position, is the first green power community on the West Coast with over 15 % residents and the city government using green power.
The following are the top 25 greenest U.S. cities of the list, ranked according to how green they are.
1. Burlington-South Burlington, Vermont
2. Ithaca, New York
3. Corvallis, Oregon
4. Springfield, Massachusetts
5. Wenatchee, Washington
6. Charlottesville, Virginia
7. Boulder, Colorado
8. Madison, Wisconsin
9. Binghamton, New York
10. Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
11. Ann Arbor, Michigan
12. San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, California
13. La Crosse, Wisconsin
14. Pittsfield, Massachusetts
15. Eau Claire, Wisconsin
16. Durham, North Carolina
17. Norwich-New London, Connecticut
18. Eugene-Springfield, Oregon
19. San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, California
20. Chico, California
21. Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pennsylvania
22. Barnstable Town, Massachusetts
23. Utica-Rome, New York
24. Missoula, Montana
25. Asheville, North Carolina
What makes your city green?
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I did a little research and I think you have the 2007 greenest places listed above. Here is a link to the Country Home 2008 list http://www.countryhome.com/greencities/greencities1_100.html They list Corvallis, OR as the top place.
Thanks for the list Adam. I’m sure there are many “lists” by different companies and organizations. Hopefully your town will be listed on on multiple lists.
It’s good to see Asheville made the list, but even we aren’t without our problems. The amount of deforestation and pollution in our area in the last 10 years is sort of depressing.
Couldn’t help but notice the numerous “College Towns” listed. Definitely an advantage to have large majorities of the population without cars (like most students) who like to enjoy hanging out under trees. Definitely a good pattern