A new list out by the website 247wallstreet.com is ranking the best and worst run cities in the U.S., and guess which side of the coin Sacramento lands on?
According to their data, Sacramento comes in as the 18th worst run city in America. There is a sliver-lining to the news however, with the recently passed local sales tax hike being seen as good news for the future of public safety and local amenities. Here’s the rundown:
18. Sacramento, Calif.
> Population: 472,169
> Credit rating: Aa2, under review for downgrade
> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 7.11 (38th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 14.1% (tied- 9th highest)Home values in Sacramento fell 41.4% between 2007 and 2011, which is nearly four times more than the national rate. With the decline in home values came a decline in jobs. The city’s unemployment rate in 2011 was 14.1%, which was the ninth-highest of the largest cities. The city’s finances, however, may begin to improve. After city voters approved a half-percent sales tax increase in November, the City Council considered reversing budget cuts in areas such as the police department, fire department and park maintenance that have taken place in the last several years. There has been significant turnover in City Hall recently, with five of the eight seats changing in the last two years.
Fremont, Irvine, and San Francisco are the only California cities to crack the top 20 best run cities list. Santa Ana, Riverside, Fresno, Modesto, Stockton, and San Bernardo join Sacramento on the 20 worst run city list.
