Community Corner
'A True Sense of Togetherness': Marion Makes List of America's Top 10 Towns for This
Family Circle magazine has selected Marion to its list of 10 best towns in America for families.
Marion made the final 10 out a list of 3,335 communities with populations between 10,000 and 150,000 people.
"Much of what defines our community involves bringing families together," Marion City Manager Lon Pluckhahn said in an email to Patch. "Marion is home to exceptional schools, beautiful city parks, and one of the lowest crime rates per capita in the nation. As a city, we look continually look for ways to create a promising future for generations to come. It is an honor to have been selected."
Jill Ackerman, president of the Marion Chamber of Commerce, added this: "We are thrilled to be included as one of Family Circle's 10 Best Towns for Families. With a progressive business environment and outstanding quality of life, Marion is a great mix of commerce, community and culture."
Here's what Family Circle had to say about Marion:
Population: 34,902
Median Income: $60,334
Median Home Price: $139,750
Find out what's happening in Marionwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Households with Kids: 34%
GreatSchools Rating: 8
Find out what's happening in Marionwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Judy and Matt Ramsey still remember the warm welcome they received after moving to this Cedar Rapids suburb in 1997. The doorbell rang again and again as neighbors lined up to introduce themselves, bearing cookies or a copy of the neighborhood directory, or offering school and doctor contacts. "The hospitality is genuine," says Matt, 46, an IT director. "If someone is building a deck or working on a home improvement project, other dads will help out or do another chore for you, like mowing your lawn." The couple is delighted with the top-notch education for kids Katie, 19, Matthew, 17, and Jack, 15, whose school district is on the AP Honor Roll—one of only six in the state. Marion also has plenty of family-friendly events that have become Ramsey traditions: concerts in the park, a big arts show in May and the fall Swamp Fox Festival, a weekend long event with music, a parade, crafts and a 5K run. "There's a true sense of togetherness in Marion," says Judy, 45, who runs a church youth program. "It's a wonderful life."
Good Deeds: Last spring all 645 of Marion High School's students participated in the town's annual service project, One Day in May, doing everything from planting trees to visiting nursing homes and helping seniors compile a written history of their lives.
The feature is in the August 2013 issue, which hits newsstands July 2 and online at www.FamilyCircle.com/besttowns.
Here's the list in alphabetical order.
Allen, Texas
Boulder City, Nevada
Madison, Alabama
Marion, Iowa
Morton, Illinois
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Suwanee, Georgia
Troy, Michigan
Upper Arlington, Ohio
West Hartford, Connecticut
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