Cape County ranks high in quality of life survey

High average incomes and plenty of doctors make Cape Girardeau County one of the most livable rural counties in Missouri, a Southeast Missouri State University economics professor said Friday.A quality of life survey written by Dr. Bruce Domazlicky rated Cape Girardeau County third out of 81 rural counties. "Cape Girardeau's crime rate brought it down, otherwise it would have ranked number one," Domazlicky said.

He rated the counties as part of a research project. Domazlicky, who directs the Center for Economic and Business Research, disclosed his findings at the eighth annual economics conference at Southeast.

About 40 economic development officials and students attended the morning-long conference at Dempster Hall's Glenn Auditorium. Five economic and finance department faculty members and a student reported on their research studies ranging from the economic cost of high school dropouts to the quality of life issue.

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