Leading the Way Awards

The City of Olathe earned a composite score of 232, surpassing the national average by 54 points and achieving its sixth consecutive award. The city outperformed national benchmarks by more than 20% in 39 key areas, including parks and recreation, public safety, and street maintenance. Located in the heart of Johnson County, Olathe is a thriving Kansas community known for its strong local services, excellent schools, and commitment to maintaining a high quality of life for residents.

Hillsborough stood out in the Summer 2024 award season with a composite score of 231, exceeding the national average by 53 points. The town ranked more than 20% above national benchmarks in 32 key areas, including the quality of town parks, effectiveness of communication with the public, and its desirability as a place to live. Nestled in North Carolina’s Piedmont region, Hillsborough is known for its rich history, scenic Riverwalk, and strong sense of community, making it a sought-after place to live, work, and visit.

The City of Concord earned a composite rating of 225 during the Summer 2024 award season, surpassing the national average by 47 points. The city outperformed national benchmarks by more than 20% in 17 key areas, including livability, public safety education programs, quality of parks and facilities, and trash and recycling services. Located just northeast of Charlotte, Concord is a growing city that blends historic charm with modern amenities, offering residents a high quality of life supported by strong public services and community engagement.

During the Summer 2024 award season, the Town of Holly Springs earned a composite score of 223, placing it among the top-performing communities nationwide. The town exceeded national benchmarks by more than 20% in 34 key areas, including police effectiveness, livability, customer service, and being a great place to raise children. Located just southwest of Raleigh, Holly Springs has grown into a thriving community known for its strong public safety, well-maintained public spaces, and dedication to enhancing residents’ quality of life.

In the Summer 2024 award season, the City of Schertz earned a composite score of 217, ranking in the top 10% of U.S. cities and surpassing the national average by 39 points. The city excelled in 17 key service areas, exceeding national benchmarks by more than 20% in customer service, parks and recreation, and water services. Located northeast of San Antonio, Schertz is a thriving and family-friendly community known for its well-maintained public spaces, responsive city services, and strong commitment to resident satisfaction.

In the Summer 2024 award season, the City of Johnston received a composite rating of 215, 37 points above the national average. Its ratings exceeded the national average by more than 20% in 38 key areas, including park maintenance, police services, and public communication. Located in Polk County, just north of Des Moines, Johnston is a growing suburban community known for its high quality of life, well-maintained green spaces, and strong civic engagement.

The City of League City, Texas, achieved a composite score of 214 in the Summer 2024 award season. Additionally, League City surpassed the national averages by more than 20% in 21 key areas. Located along the Texas Gulf Coast between Houston and Galveston, League City is a growing community known for its waterfront lifestyle, strong local services, and commitment to safety. With high marks in livability, emergency preparedness, and city reputation, League City continues to be a sought-after place to live and work.

The City of Carrboro, North Carolina, received a composite rating of 213, surpassing the national average composite score of 178 by 35 points. Along with ranking within the top 10% of all U.S. cities, the City surpasses the national average by over 20% in 20 key areas. Located just west of Chapel Hill, Carrboro is a vibrant and progressive community known for its strong sense of inclusivity, sustainability, and civic engagement. With top ratings in livability, public safety, and efforts to advance racial equity, Carrboro continues to provide a welcoming and forward-thinking environment for its residents.

With a composite score of 210, the Village of Lincolnwood, Illinois, surpassed the national average by 32 points. The Village’s ratings exceeded national benchmarks by over 20% in 17 key areas. Located just north of Chicago, Lincolnwood is a vibrant suburban community known for its strong public services, well-maintained infrastructure, and commitment to safety. With top-tier fire prevention, responsive customer service, and quality police protection, Lincolnwood continues to provide an exceptional environment for residents and businesses alike.

In the Summer of 2024, The City of San Antonio scored exceptionally in two of three areas and exceeded the national average by over 20% in 22 service categories. As the second-largest city in Texas and a cultural hub rich in history, San Antonio continues to set a high standard for city services across its vast and diverse community. From responsive emergency services and effective code enforcement to top-tier waste management and public libraries, the city’s commitment to excellence enhances the quality of life for its residents.

The City of Wauwatosa earned the Leading the Way Award in the Summer of 2024, scoring 210, 32 points above the national average of 178. This recognition reflects Wauwatosa’s excellence in service quality, customer service, and value for taxes across 23 key areas. This metropolitan suburb of Milwaukee continues to foster a strong sense of community, offering residents a high quality of life with reliable city services, well-maintained public spaces, responsive public safety, and a commitment to education and sustainability.

In the Summer of 2024, the City of Merriam, Kansas, was awarded the Summer 2024 Leading the Way Award. The City surpassed the national averages by more than 20% in 29 areas assessed, including street maintenance, public safety, and city leadership. Located in northeast Johnson County, just minutes from downtown Kansas City, Merriam is growing into a community known for its commitment to high-quality city services and welcoming neighborhoods.

Creve Coeur, Missouri received a composite rating of 253, surpassing the national average by 132 points and ranking among the top 10% of cities nationwide. As a recipient of the Winter 2024 award, the city outperformed the national average by more than 20% in 23 key areas, with particularly strong ratings for quality of life, city services, and public safety. Located in the Greater St. Louis area, Creve Coeur’s high scores reflect its commitment to maintaining a thriving and well-served community.

During the Winter 2024 award season, North Kansas City achieved a composite rating of 249, surpassing the national average by 128 points. The city outperformed national benchmarks by over 20% in 31 key areas, such as bulky item pickup, street and sidewalk maintenance, and the overall quality of its parks and recreation system. Situated just north of downtown Kansas City, North Kansas City is a vibrant and growing community that combines a small-town feel with access to the amenities and opportunities of a major urban center.

The City of Olathe achieved a composite rating of 249 during the Winter 2024 award season, surpassing the national average by 128 points. This marks the city’s seventh consecutive award and the second for 2024. Notably, Olathe was recognized in both the Summer 2024 and Winter 2024 rounds of the Leading the Way Award, a testament to its ongoing excellence in municipal services. With resident ratings exceeding the national average by more than 20% in 29 key areas—including customer service, waste management, public safety, and infrastructure—Olathe continues to set a high standard for communities nationwide.

The City of Gulf Shores achieved a composite rating of 241 in the Winter 2024 award season, exceeding the national average by 120 points. This ranking places Gulf Shores among the highest-rated cities in the country, with scores that surpass national benchmarks by over 20% in 37 key areas, including safety, city services, and public communication. Located along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, Gulf Shores is recognized for its well-maintained public spaces and strong municipal services, contributing to its performance in this year’s results.

During the Winter 2024 award season, the City of Gladstone received a composite rating of 229, which is 108 points above the national average of 121. Gladstone surpassed the national average by more than 15% in 20 key areas. Residents rated the city highly for customer service, parks and recreation programs, public safety response times, and overall quality of city services. Its strong performance reflects the city’s high ratings for livability, community services, and infrastructure.

The City of Gaithersburg earned a composite rating of 219 during the Winter 2024 award season, surpassing the national average by 98 points. The city exceeded national benchmarks by more than 20% in 24 key areas, including customer service, city maintenance, and communication with residents. Located in Montgomery County, Gaithersburg is a diverse and growing community with highly rated public services, which have contributed to its performance in national rankings.

During the Winter 2024 award season, Round Rock received a composite rating of 219, surpassing the national average by 98 points and exceeding the threshold for the top 10% of all cities. The city outperformed the national average by more than 20% in 25 key areas, with especially high marks for safety, city services, and communication. Located in the Austin metropolitan area, Round Rock’s strong ratings highlight its dedication to providing a high quality of life for residents.

The Town of Fuquay-Varina earned a composite rating of 215 during the Winter 2024 award season, surpassing the national average by 94 points. The town exceeded national benchmarks by more than 20% in 27 key areas, including customer service, public safety, and community communication. Located just south of Raleigh, Fuquay-Varina has experienced rapid growth while maintaining strong service ratings, which have made it a standout in national comparisons.

The City of Meridian earned a composite rating of 213 in the Winter 2024 award season, surpassing the national average by 92 points. This recognition reflects Meridian’s strong performance in key areas such as public safety, utility services, and city communications. With ratings exceeding national benchmarks by more than 20% across 18 categories, the city continues to demonstrate high levels of resident satisfaction and service excellence.

The City of Camas received a composite rating of 210 during the Winter 2024 award season, exceeding the national average composite score of 121 by 89 points. The city exceeded national benchmarks by over 20% in 12 key areas, including customer service, crime prevention, and parks and recreation programs. Nestled along the Columbia River in southwest Washington, Camas is known for its scenic beauty, thriving community, and commitment to high-quality city services.

Williamson County received a composite rating of 198, which is 83 points above the national average for large communities and surpasses the threshold for the top 10% in its category. The county outperformed the national average by over 10% in 13 key areas, with strong ratings for livability, customer service, safety, and parks and trails. Located in Central Texas, Williamson County’s high marks reflect its commitment to growing this welcoming and well-served community.