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Cullman named top Alabama city to raise kids
[November 18, 2011]

Cullman named top Alabama city to raise kids


CULLMAN, Nov 18, 2011 (The Cullman Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Cullman was recognized nationally Friday, as the publication Bloomberg Businessweek named the city the best place to raise children in Alabama.



The national business magazine cited the success of the Cullman City Schools system as one major factor, as well as the size and location of the city.

"As a lifelong resident of Cullman, I've always known it was a good place to raise children, but what this does is verify that," Mayor Max Townson said. "The article talks about schools, park and recreation, employment, and numerous things we have to offer here ... This is just a magnificent place to live and raise children." West Elementary School in the city and West Point Elementary School in Cullman County were both recently named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.


In the city school system, the average math score is 93.88, more than 10 points over the state average of 81.06. Reading scores are also consistently above the state average, with the latest numbers at 95.54, compared to the state average of 84.98.

"I didn't need a magazine to tell me this, because I already knew it was the best place to raise children," Cullman City Schools Superintendent Dr. Jan Harris said. "Never have I seen a community that embraces its young people like the citizens of Cullman do." The piece also notes the city population of 14,697, and median family income of $52,207. The fact that Cullman residents recently voted to allow alcohol sales within the city limits is also mentioned.

The magazine evaluated 4,169 places with a crime index less than 10 percent above the national average, populations between 1,000 and 50,000 people, and median family income within 20 percent of the state median. Factors such as school scores, economic indicators, crime, parks, air quality and ethnic diversity also played a role in the selection process.

Bloomberg Businessweek names Cullman top city in Alabama to raise children.

--Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at [email protected], or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.

___ (c)2011 The Cullman Times (Cullman, Ala.) Visit The Cullman Times (Cullman, Ala.) at www.cullmantimes.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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