Travel publication recognizes three Florida cities—including Tallahassee—for growth, quality of life and visitor appeal.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Tallahassee is earning national recognition as one of the country’s top mid-size cities, joining two other Florida communities on a new list highlighting destinations attracting new residents and visitors.
HGTV writer Erin Gifford included Tallahassee, Tampa and Port St. Lucie in a ranking of HGTV’S 20 Best Mid-Size Cities in the United States, making Florida the only state with three cities on the list.
The rankings spotlight cities with populations between 100,000 and 500,000 that are experiencing steady population growth while offering a mix of recreation, culture, affordability and quality of life.
Tallahassee praised for urban amenities and outdoor lifestyle
Tallahassee closes out the list, with the publication highlighting the capital city’s unique combination of urban conveniences and natural attractions.
The article points to Tallahassee’s historic downtown, public art, nightlife, parks and green spaces as major draws while noting residents and visitors can reach Gulf Coast beaches, including Bald Point State Park, in less than an hour. It also recommends attractions such as the city’s self-guided mural tour and outdoor recreation at Lake Hall.
The recognition comes as Tallahassee continues to market itself as both a college town and state capital with growing tourism centered around sporting events, outdoor recreation and cultural experiences.
Florida leads the rankings
Only three Florida cities made the national list:
Tampa, recognized for its major league sports, museums, Riverwalk and Gulf Coast beaches.
Port St. Lucie, highlighted for rapid population growth, New York Mets spring training and outdoor recreation.
Tallahassee, praised for blending an urban atmosphere with abundant parks, public art and easy access to nature.
No other state had as many cities represented in the rankings.
Cities seeing continued growth
The publication says the featured cities are benefiting from increasing populations and growing interest from both visitors and prospective residents.
According to the article, the selections were informed by U.S. Census Bureau population data and research from the Milken Institute, focusing on communities that continue to add residents while offering a high quality of life and strong tourism appeal.
The list also includes cities such as Huntsville, Alabama; Boise, Idaho; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Madison, Wisconsin; and Frisco, Texas.