UPDATE: Geneva Is Illinois' Best Place to Raise Kids in 2013

Geneva has been selected by Bloomberg and Businessweek as the best place to raise kids in 2013 in Illinois.

This is the seventh year Bloomberg has evaluated the best small towns to raise kids. Geneva was selected from more than 3,200 places nationwide with populations between 5,000 and 50,000.

According to the article on businessweek.com, public school performance and public safety were weighed most heavily. The organization also looks at median income and county-level unemployment, housing costs, commute time, poverty, adults’ educational attainment and share of households with children.

“Geneva is a wonderful place to live, and we are very pleased that Geneva has received this much-deserved recognition,” said Superintendent Dr. Kent Mutchler.  “We are fortunate to have such strong intergovernmental partnerships in Geneva, and this collaborative effort reflects very well on all those who live and work here.”

“We believe our schools reflect the community well, and the success of our students demonstrates the quality work of our excellent staff and the strong support of our parents and community,” Dr. Mutchler added.

"We're honored that Bloomberg and Business Week have endorsed what we who call Geneva home, have known all along — our community is indeed special," said Geneva Mayor Kevin R. Burns.

From the article, it appears the organization was seeking not so much a rural "Mayberry" environment, but a town with some sophistication, diversity and proximity to cultural centers—i.e. suburbs.

According to the article, No. 1 on the list was Solon, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.

In 2011, neighboring St. Charles was named No. 1 on Family Circle magazine's list of top towns to raise a family.

Read More

• Bloomberg: America's Best Places to Raise Kids 2013
• Bloomberg: Best Place to Raise Kids in Illinois: Geneva
• Geneva Named 7th Best Town in Western Suburbs

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