What makes a city a happy place to live and raise a family?
The annual list of the happiest and least happy cities in America was released Monday (March 12) and although you and I may love Acadiana, a majority of the least happy cities who appear on the list are in the Gulf South according to Wallet Hub.
Wallet Hub examines a list of over 30 factors to find the happiest cities in America.
Those factors include depression rate, access to healthcare, the weather, access to recreational facilities, suicide rate, job security and access to jobs. You can read the full methodology here.
As a majority of us love Acadiana and the lifestyle, a majority of the least happy states were on the Gulf Coast. A good example of the lifestyle we enjoy here was the safe Mardi Gras celebration last week. Not to mention all of the fairs and festivals which make Acadiana, the happiest place on earth. The Upper-Midwest is home to a majority of the happiest cities.
The top cities for happiness are
- Plano, TX
- Irvine, CA
- Madison, WI
- Freemont, CA
- Huntington Beach, CA
The lower level of the list included the cities of Gulf Port, MS, Cleveland, OH, Birmingham, AL, Charleston, WV, Toledo, OH and Detroit, MI.
Baton Rouge ranked 148 while New Orleans fell in at 153. Shreveport was 163 on the annual ranking.
Lafayette was not on the 2019 list.