Bethesda Row in Bethesda, MD - #2 Snobbiest Small CIty Photo Credit: ehplen via Flickr |
While I'm not sure I agree with the use of the word "snobby" to describe these admittedly affluent cities, since it could be viewed as derisive to their residents (personally I would use "preppy"), the ranking does seem to be somewhat accurate. (I tend to appreciate rankings that actually use statistical data as criteria, rather than anecdotal experiences or informal polls.) Out of the top 10, three of the cities are located in the Mid-Atlantic: Bethesda, MD (#2), Hoboken, NJ (#6), and Rockville, MD (#8).
Washington St in Hoboken, NJ - #6 Snobbiest Small City Photo Credit: City of Hoboken |
The other issue with this ranking is that it doesn't take into account relative wealth. For instance, in Montgomery County, Rockville isn't really viewed as a "snobbish" or particularly exclusive city, especially compared to it's neighbors immediately to its south. Compared to other cities in other states it might seem very well-to-do, but in the 2nd wealthiest metro area, in the 2nd wealthiest county of the wealthiest state in the nation it is merely "upper middle-class."
Top 10 "Snobbiest" Small Cities in America | ||||
Rank | City | |||
1. | Palo Alto, CA | |||
2. | Bethesda, MD | |||
3. | Brookline, MA | |||
4. | San Rafael, CA | |||
5. | Walnut Creek, CA | |||
6. | Hoboken, NJ | |||
7. | Oak Park, IL | |||
8. | Encitas, CA (tie) | |||
8. | Rockville, MD (tie) | |||
10. | Laguna Niguel, CA |
Mid-Atlantic Small Cities in the Top 50 | ||||
Rank | City | |||
13. | White Plains, NY | |||
15. | Reston, VA | |||
25. | Wheaton, MD | |||
28. | Bowie, MD | |||
30. | Gaithersburg, MD | |||
33. | McLean, VA | |||
42. | Towson, MD |
Rockville Town Center in Rockville, MD - #8 Snobbiest Small City Photo Credit: Eric Fidler via Flickr |
- Median home price (the higher the better)
- Median household income (the higher the better)
- Percent of population with a college degree (the higher the better)
- Private schools per capita (the more the better)
- Performing arts per capita (the more the better)
- Art galleries per capita (the more the better)
- Fast food restaurants per capita (the [less] the better)
Observations
- Including the 3 in the Top 10, there are 10 small cities in the Mid-Atlantic in the Top 50 "Snobbiest" Small Cities (20%)
- California has the largest share of "snobbiest" small cities by far, with half (5) of the Top 10 just over a third of the Top 50 (18)
- Excluding the cities in Northern Virginia, there are only 3 cities located in the South in the Top 50 "Snobbiest" Small Cities
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