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Springfield, MO
Springfield is among the best cities to retire in the Midwest, according to a report from financial data tracking firm SmartAsset.
For its 2022 study, SmartAsset examined the percentage of the population that is 65 and older, housing costs as a percent of retirement income, tax burden for older adults, retirement communities per 10,000 residents and property crime rate per 100,000 residents.
The Queen City ranked No. 10 on the list, with St. Charles, at No. 9, being the only other Missouri city in the top 20. Troy, Michigan, tops the list, followed by Bismarck, North Dakota, and Rapid City, South Dakota.
Springfield's individual metrics are:
• 15.5% population that is 65 and older;
• 17.9% housing costs as a percent of retirement income;
• 15.6% tax burden for older adults, with income and sales taxes estimated;
• roughly 1.2 retirement communities per 10,000 residents; and
• 7,793 property crimes per 100,000 residents.
A safe room and classroom addition at Willard Central Elementary School will be used by the music, arts and athletic programs for a district that had 4,536 students last year, according to Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education figures, but school officials say enrollment is projected to grow.