Top 100, Two Years Running!

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Quality of Life

May 12, 2025
Staff Reports

What a proud moment for our community — for the second year in a row, Abilene, Texas has been named one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the United States by Livability.com.

That’s right. National recognition. Again.

While we don’t do what we do for the accolades, it sure does feel good when the rest of the world starts to take notice of what we’ve known all along: Abilene is a remarkable place to call home.

Described by Livability as “a small city with a big personality,” Abilene continues to impress with its affordable housing, welcoming neighborhoods, vibrant culture, and a quality of life that rivals much larger cities — without the stress that often comes with them.

This recognition isn’t just a badge of honor. It’s a signal. A message to prospective talent, families, and businesses that this region is not only livable — it’s thriving.

The list itself is no casual ranking. Livability partners with data experts at Applied Geographic Solutions, analyzing nearly 100 data points that factor in affordability, economic stability, education, health, safety, and amenities. In short, it’s a data-driven snapshot of what makes a place truly livable. And Abilene made the cut — again.

But here’s the truth: this recognition belongs to you.

It’s your investment in this community — your businesses, your schools, your nonprofits, your neighborhoods — that makes honors like this possible. The Chamber, and our affiliated organizations, work to amplify that momentum, to strengthen our workforce, and to support the continued growth of this special place. But it’s your daily efforts that breathe life into our collective progress.

Why does this matter? Because visibility creates opportunity.

As our name appears more frequently on “best of” lists, so too does our ability to attract new talent, new employers, and new ideas. And in today’s competitive environment, we must continue growing our workforce to meet demand — a challenge not unique to Abilene, but one we’re ready to tackle head-on.

So let’s take a moment to celebrate. Let’s share the news proudly — with our friends, with our networks, and yes, maybe even from the rooftops. We’ve earned this. Twice.

And then, let’s get back to work — building an even stronger Abilene for the years to come.

Onward!