C’ville rated No. 1 in state for young families
Collierville just got a new bragging right.
A consumer advocacy website has ranked the town No. 1 for best and most affordable places for young families to live in Tennessee.
San Francisco-based NerdWallet looked at the public school rating, average home value, ongoing cost of homeownership, average income and economic growth.
Collierville topped several Nashville suburbs and East Tennessee locations on the list. The website said in part: “Collierville has one eye on the past and another on the future. The town does its fair share to preserve its historic spaces.
“There is the town square and antebellum architecture at the heart of Collierville, spotted with one-of-a-kind boutiques, antique stores, specialty shops and an oldfashioned gas station. ... Collierville High School is extraordinarily successful: 98% of its students go on to a four- or two-year col- lege, and the majority of students score well above the state average in statewide Gateway exams.”
“It sounds like I wrote that,” joked Town Administrator James Lewellen. Kidding aside, he said, “It’s a great validation from someone on the outside.”
Added Mayor Stan Joyner: “I’m
not familiar with NerdWallet, but, hey, I agree with their assessment. It’s hard to be critical of anyone who rates you No. 1.”
Most, if not all, of the cities listed have citymanager forms of government. Based on U. S. Census and GreatSchools data, the website notes that Collierville’s median home value is $277,000, and median household income is $102,298.
Part of the website’s information, however, is outdated. It lists the town gem as the Train Museum where “visitors can take a trip back in time and dine in a beautifully restored train car.” The restaurant closed about five years ago.
The website provides consumer information on credit cards, banking services and financial matters, and its disclaimer notes that the company has financial relationships with some merchants mentioned in its reports.
NerdWallet spokesman Laura Zulliger blamed the Train Museum error on an East Tennessee factchecker.
“That must have gotten past us,” she said.
Other towns that were ranked in order included Spring Hill, Mt. Juliet, Franklin, Oak Ridge, Brentwood, Bristol, Hendersonville, Johnson City and Kingsport. The study looked at 59 cities with a population over 10,000.