SeeCalifornia.com

Pictured is Fremont in San Francisco Bay Area

In a state where government bankruptcies have set records — Orange County, Vallejo, Stockton, San Bernardino and Fresno, it is no surprise that San Bernardino was recently ranked as the worst run city in the nation, Stockton as the 5th worst city and Fresno as the 6th worst city in 2013.

It is no surprise that California has the best run cities nationally, too!  Irvine was chosen the best run city in the nation, and Fremont came in at #2.  Irvine ranks as one of the safest cities in the U.S. and has a higher average household income (just under $100,000) than most major cities. Even though Irvine is located in Orange County, which set records for filing the largest bankruptcy on ever at $1.64-billion, the county is now considered well-run, and Irvine (one of the nation’s first master-planned communities) has consistently been among the top U.S. cities for income, low crime, education level and unemployment. Fremont had the highest household incomes for any large city (over $100,000,) and low unemployment.  Criteria for selection by 24/7 Wallstreet  included each city’s credit rating, violent crime ranking, unemployment, average income and education.

BEST RUN CITIES IN U.S.

• 1. Irvine, California
• 2. Fremont, California
• 3. Plano, Texas
• 4. Lincoln, Nebraska
• 5. Virginia Beach, Virgina
• 6. Scottsdale, Arizona

WORST RUN CITIES IN U.S.

• 1. San Bernardino, CA
• 2. Detroit, Michigan
• 3. Newark, New Jersey
• 4. Miami, Florida
• 5. Stockton, California
• 6. Fresno, California