Rankings & Ratings

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11th in the nation on Forbes 2012 list of Best Small Places for Business and Careers among metropolitans having populations less than 250,000 (up from 25th in 2011) more info >

Top 25% in the nation for Job Growth by NewGeography.com for the area's creation of short and long-term jobs more info >

Level 1 Primary Regional Trade Center designation for Mankato (along with Rochester, Duluth and St. Cloud) by the U of M Center for Urban and Regional Affairs in 2011, with the highest increase in taxable sales (123% from 2000 to 2009) and sales per capita at $17,000, compared to around $10,000 for the other three (despite having half their population) more info >
On America's Promise top 100 communities for young people list four consecutive times for nurturing youth from a young age by investing in them to be productive and successful future leaders
15th in the nation on the 2010 Forbes list of best places to raise a family among communities with a population of 100,000 or less for having solid average incomes, good educational prospects, low costs, short commute times and a high rate of home ownership
Rockstars@Work Next Generation Community Impact Award in 2009 for creating successful workforce development initiatives
Minnesota Community Pride Creative Capital Award for collaborations among education, government, non-profits and Greater Mankato Growth
7th in the nation on the 2008 Bizjournals.com list of Dreamtowns for being a well-rounded community, with light traffic, a healthy economy, moderate cost of living, impressive housing stocks, strong educational system and easy access to big-city amenities
On AARP the Magazine's "Cities to Watch" list for being ahead of the curve in providing services to empty nesters, active retirees and everyone in between