2009 BEST CITIES: OUR TOP 10
No. 4: Charlottesville, Va.
Population:190,560
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 38.2
Cost-of-Living Index: 106 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $53,076
Salary Growth (2004-2008):4.8%
Employment Growth (U.S. Avg.: 1.3%): 2.28%
Jobless Rate (Nat. Avg.: 8.6%): 5.5%
The home of Thomas Jefferson's university is an unexpected blend of Southern charm and liberal edge, with a strong business base. UVA provides Charlottesville with more than employment. The city is a two-hour drive from Washington, D.C., and three hours from Norfolk Naval Base. This proximity helped it draw the U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, which employs 750 people in a
variety of fields, including engineering and foreign affairs.
VIDEO: Take Our Tour of Charlottesville
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