Cape ranks in top 50 Best Towns to Raise a Family

A few local communities were included in the 2015 Niche Best Towns to Raise a Family in Missouri.

Cape Girardeau narrowly managed to land in the top 50.

Niche ranks towns based on school ratings, crime rates, age demographics and access to affordable housing and child care. A high ranking indicates a town is attractive to families because of good schools and a safe community. Suburbs and cities with more than 100,000 residents were excluded from the list.

Grades were calculated based on statistics and U.S. Census data.

Cape Girardeau, ranked 50th, generally received low Bs across the board, including grades for education, community, housing and access to grocery stores.

Access to daycares received a B grade and access to libraries a C.

The most damaging grade was a D+, which the city received for crime and safety. The grade is calculated using statistics that capture a location's general safety, according to Niche, and accounts for 20 percent of the town's overall ranking.

Coming in a little higher on the list was Perryville, which ranked 31st. It received a B- for community and crime and safety, A- for access to daycares and B for housing.

Access to grocery stores received a C, access to libraries a C+ and education a C-. Education grades are based on the average grade for every public school serving the area, with each school weighted by the number of students it serves.

Other Southeast Missouri towns on the list are Dexter at 32 and Poplar Bluff at 39.

Niche compiles information and provides reviews of schools and communities to help students, families and professionals find their "niche."

It was founded in 2002 by Carnegie Mellon University students as CollegeProwler.com and has grown into one of the largest content startups in the country.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Perryville, Mo.

Dexter, Mo.

Poplar Bluff, Mo.