The city of Gainesville has been billed the number one small city in the U.S. by a prominent organization.
The top ranking came in the Milken Institute’s 2025 report of the Nation’s Best-Performing Cities.
Gainesville has consistently ranked among the top cities in the nation, maintaining a spot in the top ten since 2016. Last year, the city ranked third overall, cementing its reputation as a dynamic and thriving community here in North Georgia.
The continued success underscores the city’s strong economy and its ability to attract investment, foster job creation and support quality of life for its residents.
“It truly is an honor to be recognized by an organization like the Milken Institute,” Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon told Now Habersham. “It just shows that – when you have a council and staff and community all working in the same direction – good things will come. The recognition is because we’ve had great economic development. We’ve had great employment numbers over the years, and a great healthcare system. All of that, coming together, is what shines a light on the city.”
Couvillon went on to note Gainesville’s thriving downtown area – which is expected to continue to be a center for growth, job-generation and entertainment for the foreseeable future.
“Business is going well in town,” he said. “People are wanting to be out and about in Gainesville.”
