Issues > March/April 2005 (#107) > The Top 10 Green Cities in the U.S.: 2005

The Top 10 Green Cities in the U.S.: 2005

With 80 percent of Americans living in urban areas, The Green Guide naturally wanted to find out which cities are kindest both to the environment and our health. We often think we have to escape the city to get to where it's green and healthy to live, but many cities have advantages including parks, excellent public transport, and walkable commutes to work, unavailable in sprawling suburbs. And facilities such as bike trails that keep people out of cars can also help reduce America's obesity problem. For those seeking outdoor recreation, a big factor for many in where to move, cities such as Seattle, Portland and San Francisco offer quick access to mountains, beaches, and ocean. But what else makes a city green? For our list of the top ten, we sought out good water- and air-quality, efficient use of resources, renewable energy leadership, accessible and reliable public transportation, and green building practices. We also looked for parks and greenbelts and access to locally-grown fresh food through farmers' markets and community supported agriculture groups. Finally, we included affordability in our green criteria, since the health benefits, public parks, and other amenities of living in a greener city need to be available to more than just the wealthy.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the ten cities below as all having good air quality most days of the year. The exception is Chicago, a city with moderate air quality that is retrofitting diesel engines to improve its standing and provides excellent public transport. John Summerhays, an environmental scientist at Chicago's EPA office, notes that "Though it is difficult to quantify, to the extent that bike traffic and public transport reduce automobile traffic and emissions, air quality will improve as a result."

Water quality, a major concern for most Americans, can be difficult to compare, but we checked EPA water quality reports for levels of neurotoxic lead with all cities below. We also used the Natural Resources Defense Council's most recent "What's On Tap" report. Madison, Wisconsin, which is currently replacing all service pipes that contain lead, was the only one of these cities to show lead levels that exceeded EPA limits in some samples. To check their local water quality, consumers can request a water report by going to epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo.htm, or call EPA's safe drinking water hotline 800-426-4791. To find the appropriate filters for water contaminants in your area, see "Three Simple Steps to Clean, Safe Drinking Water" at thegreenguide.com.

Based on these criteria, the ten cities set green examples for other American cities to follow. Cities are listed alphabetically and are not ranked among themselves. While no city has a pristine enivoronmental record, The Green Guide's list acknowledges progress around the country to greener and healthier cities. We welcome reader feedback and thank our readers for stimulating debate and further investigation.

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