Fortune recently ranked the largest 100 American cities according to the best managed and worst managed. A variety of factors were included, such as the area’s economy, job market, crime level, and welfare of the population. As of 1-1-14, the best-run city is Irvine, California; the worst run is San Bernardino, California. The top ten best-managed cities are listed below:

1.  Irvine, California
> Population: 230,000 (86th largest)
> Violent crime per 100,000: 51 (the lowest)
> 2012 Unemployment rate: 5.7% (tied-10th lowest). Irvine has a very well-educated population and is one of the safest cities in the nation.

2. Fremont, California
> Population: 222,000 (91st largest)
> Violent crime per 100,000: 140 (3rd lowest)
> 2012 Unemployment rate: 6.5% (24th lowest).  Fremont was the wealthiest large U.S. city in 2013 and also had the lowest poverty rate.

3. Plano, Texas
> Population: 271,000 (65th largest)
> Credit rating: Aaa
> Violent crime per 100,000: 131 (2nd lowest)
> 2012 Unemployment rate: 6.0% (tied-13th lowest).  Plano’s housing market is strong, with just one out of every 255 homes in foreclosure in 2012, better than the vast majority of large cities.

4. Lincoln, Nebraska
> Population: 265,000 (67th largest)
> Credit rating: Aaa, stable
> Violent crime per 100,000: 397 (19th lowest)
> 2012 Unemployment rate: 3.4% (the lowest).

5. Virginia Beach, Virginia
> Population: 447,000 (37th largest)
> Credit rating: Aaa, stable
> Violent crime per 100,000: 169 (6th lowest)
> 2012 Unemployment rate: 5.6% (9th lowest).

6. Scottsdale, Arizona
> Population: 224,000 (89th largest)
> Credit rating: Aaa, stable
> Violent crime per 100,000: 147 (4th lowest)
> 2012 Unemployment rate: 5.7% (tied-10th lowest).

7. Seattle, Washington
> Population: 635,000 (22nd largest)
> Credit rating: Aaa, stable
> Violent crime per 100,000: 598 (44th lowest)
> 2012 Unemployment rate: 6.4% (tied-20th lowest).

8. Austin, Texas
> Population: 843,000 (11th largest)
> Credit rating: Aaa, stable
> Violent crime per 100,000: 409 (22nd lowest)
> 2012 Unemployment rate: 5.4% (6th lowest).  Austin is one of the nation’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. Last year, the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos economy grew by 6.5%, compared to 2.5% nationally.

9. Chesapeake, Virginia
> Population: 228,000 (87th largest)
> Credit rating: Aa1
> Violent crime per 100,000: 369 (15th lowest)
> 2012 Unemployment rate: 6.0% (tied-13th lowest).

10. Raleigh, NC
> Population: 424,000 (40th largest)
> Credit rating: Aaa, stable
> Violent crime per 100,000: 423 (25th lowest)
> 2012 Unemployment rate: 6.9% (30th lowest).

Source:  http://247wallst.com/special-report/2014/01/02/the-best-and-worst-run-cities-in-america-2/