A strong, supportive community is special. But when it comes to friendliness, some American cities feel more neighborly than others.

Neighbor.com analyzed the 100 largest metro areas using a survey, government data sets, and consumer data to find the friendliest cities in the USA. In the survey, 1,000 Americans were asked what makes communities the most neighborly. 

If you’re looking for a nice place to visit or call home, these are the U.S. cities with the most welcoming spirit. Can you guess which one is in Minneapolis?

What’s Next Door 

Using its results, Neighbor.com ranked each city with a weighted score based on the following categories: 

• Violent Crime 
• Voter Turnout 
• Charitable Giving 
• Volunteering 
• Property Crime 
• Population Change 

1: Madison, Wisconsin 

Claiming the top spot for the most neighborly city in the US is Madison, Wisconsin.

One of the best ways for Madison locals to connect with their community is to head to the farmers’ market—Madison has the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the country.

On top of that, “Mad City” boasts incredible outdoor recreation and a stellar food and drink scene. Its politically active residents also care about shaping the future of their city, as 59.67% of residents participated in the last mayoral race. 

2: Minneapolis, Minnesota 

You’ve heard of Southern hospitality, but Minneapolis shows America what Midwest hospitality is all about. Scoring high in volunteering and charitable giving, this community loves supporting others.

Plus, with its scenic blue lakes, thriving art scene, and proximity to hotspots like the Mall of America, it’s a city worth settling down in. 

3: Colorado Springs, Colorado 

Iconic for its gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is a popular spot to visit and an even better place to live.

It has the highest volunteer rates of any other city, with 69% of its residents supporting a local organization.

For three years in a row, this charming Colorado city has had one of America’s hottest real estate markets. 

4: Sarasota, Florida 

For the first time, the Sunshine State appeared on the list of most neighborly cities. With a warm climate and sandy beaches, Sarasota, Florida, is home to the endless summer you dream of.

It has the highest population change of the top 25 cities, adding 3.4% new residents to the community between 2021 and 2022. 

5: Rochester, New York 

While it’s a common stereotype for New Yorkers to be a bit brash, Rochester is an exception.

Landing in the top five for the most neighborly city of 2022, it scored high marks in the charitable giving and volunteering categories.

6: Provo, Utah 

You can look to Utah for opportunity, community support, and high-quality neighbors, according to Neighbor.com. Many Provo residents volunteer within their community, and people are flocking there for its affordable cost of living.

Some of the largest companies in the state are headquartered in Provo, and it was ranked as one of the best new places to start a business. 

7: Salt Lake City, Utah 

Another major city in Utah made the list: the state’s capital, Salt Lake City.

Earning high remarks for its safe neighborhoods, voter turnout, and volunteering, it was also dubbed the next Silicon Valley for attracting tech talent from all over. 

8: Ogden, Utah

The third Utah city to make the list is the oldest in the state. Ogden is home to many helping hands, as 50% of its residents reported volunteering in the community.

Its vibrant downtown and proximity to awe-inspiring outdoor entertainment and recreation make Ogden a desirable place to live.

9: Raleigh, North Carolina 

Many people who’ve been to Raleigh know its pleasant charm and neighborly feel. With a strong economy, abundant jobs, enjoyable climate, and small-town hospitality, you’ll feel right at home in Raleigh, even if you’re a newcomer.

This year, the city stood out for its influx of new residents. Plus, there are 180 miles of greenway trails to explore for every outdoorsy resident. 

10: Richmond, Virginia 

As the political capital of Virginia, Richmond has made its way on 2023’s most neighborly list.

Since the housing market pushes people to relocate to more affordable communities, Richmond has seen more than 30,000 new faces move between 2020 and mid-2022.

It also ranked among the top 10 cities for the highest voter turnout. 

11: Virginia Beach, Virginia 

Virginia Beach is a popular vacation destination for Americans as the longest pleasure beach in the world, and it’s also one of the most neighborly places to live. It ranked the highest for its substantial voter turnout in the community.

It’s also close to several family-friendly attractions, including Grommet Island Park. 

12: Seattle, Washington 

Arguably the most popular city in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is full of residents who care about giving back to the community and helping it grow.

The coffee capital of America earned high scores in charitable giving and volunteering. It’s also home to several major tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon.  

Staying Put 

Along with asking Americans which cities are the most neighborly, Neighbor.com also inquired about community habits. As far as planting roots goes, 85% of Americans said they plan to stay in their current residence for the long term.

That’s good news for fellow locals, for the more time residents spend in their community, the more they’re encouraged to help it grow and prosper. 

Come Together 

While it may seem like community events fell by the wayside, 90% of Americans said they plan to participate in neighborhood events like block parties, local church events, youth sports, live music performances, and shopping at farmers’ markets.

According to Neighbor.com, 11% of residents plan to participate in community events significantly more in the future than they did in 2023.

Picky Politics 

While high voter turnout is a strong sign of a thriving and neighborly community, 40% of Americans said they’ve seen the political divide impact their neighbors in at least one way.

Some of the ways include 18% of residents being annoyed by a neighbor’s political signs, 17% who’ve complained in an online forum, and 15% who’ve ended friendships over politics. 

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Many Floridians take it for granted that they’ll receive a U.S. passport after applying for one. However, the government sometimes denies passports for reasons that take Americans by surprise.

These are some of the most common reasons the U.S. government won’t issue you a passport.

Outstanding Child Support

One reason for a passport denial is owing too much in child support payments. If you have overdue child support that adds up to more than $2,500, your passport may be withheld.

This rule is meant to help ensure that parents meet their financial responsibilities to their children.

The U.S. government uses this rule to make sure that people who owe money don’t just leave the country without settling their debts.

According to the U.S. State Department, you must resolve these arrears before you can receive your passport.

Incomplete or Incorrect Applications

Filling out a passport application might seem simple, but mistakes can lead to a denial. If you miss a question or write the wrong information, the U.S. government may send your application back.

When the details don’t match up with your records, it slows down the process and might even stop you from getting a passport until the errors are fixed.

Many Floridians make small mistakes when they fill out their forms. For example, leaving out a date or spelling your name wrong can be a big deal.

The U.S. Department of State reminds us that all information must be complete and correct before a passport is issued.

Legal Issues or Active Warrants

If you have legal troubles, such as an unsealed federal warrant of arrest or a state criminal court order, you might be turned away when you apply for a passport.

The government wants to keep people who are being sought by law enforcement from easily leaving the country. This rule is in place to help make sure that serious legal matters are resolved at home.

Having a warrant or ongoing legal case means that your application will be flagged during processing.

The government may hold your passport application until these issues are cleared up.

National Security Concerns

National security is another important reason why your passport might be denied. The government keeps a close watch on individuals who might pose a security risk, especially in matters related to terrorism or espionage.

If you are on a watchlist or have been involved in activities that raise red flags, your U.S. passport application could be stopped.

Even if you aren’t aware of any issues, your name could come up in a government database, and that can delay or block your passport.

Citizenship or Identity Problems

Sometimes, the government doesn’t issue Floridians a passport because of problems with proving their citizenship or identity.

When you apply for a passport, you must provide valid documents that show you are a U.S. citizen. If there is any confusion about your citizenship or if your documents are not up to date, you may face delays or a denial.

Identity issues can also arise if there is a mix-up with your records.

For example, if your name is spelled differently on different documents or if your birth certificate doesn’t match other paperwork, it can create problems.

The government requires clear and consistent proof of who you are before issuing you a passport.

Financial and Administrative Issues

Financial problems can also lead to a passport denial. Beyond child support arrears, other debts to the government may affect your ability to get a passport.

If you owe certain taxes or have unpaid government fines, this might raise a red flag during your application process.

Should you fall under this category, the desire to travel could be a great motivator to get your outstanding taxes paid.

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Your meeting runs past lunchtime. Your know-it-all coworker continues with their monologue, and after two more minutes, you snap at them.

Being hangry happens to the best of us. But according to a Zippia study, residents in certain states—including Mississippi—may be more predisposed to it than others.

Do you live in one of the hangriest states in America?

What Is Hangry?

Hangry is a newer word that stems from “hunger” and “angry.” It happens when an otherwise good-natured person lashes out irrationally over something that normally wouldn’t bother them.

The culprit?

Hunger.

Ranking Hangry Behavior

Zippia set out on the challenging task of determining the top ten hangriest states in America. They ranked states according to the following metrics:

• Number of Walmarts
• Number of fast food stores per capita
• “Hanger” Google search volume
• Percent of people with diabetes
• Worst break laws (fewer/shorter breaks equate to less time to eat)

These were the results, starting with the hangriest state.

1: Maine

Maine takes the cake as being the hangriest state in America.

The Pine Tree State has a low 3.1 fast food joints per 10,000 residents and a double-digit percentage of people with diabetes, offsetting the state’s otherwise well-off lunch break laws.

2: Mississippi

Mississippi is home to 86 Walmarts, offering many hungry residents access to cheap food.

The problem?

There aren’t any laws in Mississippi requiring businesses to give their employees lunch breaks. Now that’s a recipe for being hangry.

3: Alaska

Alaska is a bad state to be hungry. It only has nine Walmarts and a low 2.6 fast food joints per 10,000 residents, meaning it’s harder for many Alaskans to down a meal quickly when hunger strikes.

To make things worse, break laws in Alaska only apply to people under 18; break protections don’t exist for people 18 years and older.

4: Vermont

Vermont has a measly 1.9 fast food joints per 10,000 residents and only six Walmarts, providing few options for a quick and cheap bite to eat when people are hungry.

The Green Mountain State’s break laws are also ambiguous, stating that employees must give their employees “reasonable opportunity” to take a break and eat.

5: South Dakota

A diabetes rate of 10.6% doesn’t bode well for South Dakota and how hangry its residents may become.

The Mount Rushmore State also doesn’t have break laws for employees, even for those who are underage.

6: Idaho

Hungry Idahoans have few options to appease their hangry feelings; the state only has 27 Walmarts and 3.8 fast food joints per 10,000 residents.

With 10.3% of people 18 years and older having diabetes, hangry behaviors are even more likely to run wild.

7: West Virginia

West Virginia looks relatively better on the fast food availability front, boasting 44 Walmarts and 5.3 fast food joints per 10,000 residents.

But 15.7% of West Virginians 18 years and older have diabetes, which can increase hungry feelings.

Thus, it’s one of the states with the greatest percentage of residents predisposed to being hangry in the US.

8: Oregon

Oregon has a high Google search volume for “hanger,” suggesting that it’s something Oregonians are trying to understand or combat.

The Beaver State also has only 3.6 fast food joints per 10,000 residents.

9: Montana

Montana’s lack of break laws is prime hangry territory.

The Treasure State only has 16 Walmarts, though its relatively low 7.6% rate of diabetes among grownups helps it avoid ranking higher on this list.

10: Rhode Island

Rhode Island makes the unwanted cut for the top ten hangriest states in the US.

Over one in ten Rhode Islanders 18 years and older have diabetes, and residents only have access to 2.5 fast food joints per 10,000 people.

The Diabetes Connection

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a condition that can happen to people with diabetes from taking blood sugar-lowering medicine.

The extreme hunger and irritability that characterize being hangry are common symptoms of hypoglycemia.

What’s Up With Walmart?

Zippia chose to include Walmart as a metric in its rankings because the mega-retailer offers residents access to lots of cheap food.

Drumroll for the Least Hangry State

Illinois is the least hangry state in the US.

So, head to the Prairie State if you want to surround yourself with the most even-keeled Americans.

Runners Up

Georgia, Missouri, and North Carolina are also states with few hangry residents, ranking in 49th, 48th, and 47th place, respectively.

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