No surprise to Layton it's listed as a top place to live

Michael Bowhuis has always enjoyed living in Layton.

After moving there 10 years ago from Weber County, the Layton man quickly realized the quality of life he enjoyed in the city. He has since been elected to serve on the city council, which has helped him appreciate his home city even more.

"I got to be associated with and involved with policymaking programs and services we offer, and that's what really makes Layton the city it is," he said.

Now others from around the nation can share Bowhuis' enthusiasm for Layton as it's listed among the Best Places to Live 2006 study done by CNN Money Magazine. Layton ranks 41 on the list of the Top 100 Small Towns to Live.

Some of the criteria researchers were looking for in this year's top 100 small cities were "small, livable cities that had the best possible blend of good jobs, low crime, quality schools, plenty of open space, rational home prices and lots to do," according to Money Magazine.

Layton is listed as having a population of 61,800 and median family income of $61,011, compared to $76,893, the best places average. Job growth is listed at 23.11 percent, compared with 10.97 percent average for the other best places. Layton's personal crime risk is listed at 32, compared with the national average of 100 (lower is better) and 45 for the best places average.

In the leisure and culture category, Layton has 12 movie theaters, 662 restaurants, 45 golf courses, 20 libraries, two museums and 13 ski resorts within a 15-mile radius. The median age is 26.6, compared with the best places average of 34.5. Sixty-two percent of residents have completed at least some college and 59.6 percent are married.

Bowhuis says he believes the award confirms what Layton residents already know.

"We always have this feeling among ourselves that Layton is the finest city in Utah, but we're always recognized by everyone else as being biased," he said. "This validates our perceptions. We felt very good that someone from outside would see Layton city the same way we did."

Two other Utah cities also ranked in the Top 50. Sandy ranked highest at the number 23 spot while Orem sits at 38. Cities were ranked on categories including financial, housing, education, quality of life, leisure and culture, weather, health and demographics.

Kathy Hyde, another Layton City Council member, feels that the programs and parks in Layton are really what make it a desirable place to live.

"Our youth-oriented programs are part of the reason we're so successful. Layton is one of the models for the nation," she said. "We have really good programs, great family recreation around. It is an honor but not really a surprise (that we were chosen for this award). We're forward-thinking but conservative. We're not in debt. It's a very well managed city."

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